What to do this weekend in Prague: Best events for May 15–17

Prague celebrates International Museum and Gallery Day on Monday with free or reduced entry across dozens of institutions, but some are running it early on Sunday. The National Gallery opens all permanent collections free (Old Masters at Schwarzenberský and Šternberský palaces, Medieval Art at St. Agnes Convent, 1796–2021 collections at Veletržní Palace), the National Museum waives fees for Náprstek Museum, Czech Music Museum, Smetana Museum, Dvořák Museum, plus Museum of Decorative Arts, National Technical Museum, Museum of the City of Prague, and more join the citywide access event.

Karlínské náměstí transforms into an open-air Asian market Sunday with food stalls serving Japanese, Indonesian, Indian, Vietnamese, and Thai specialties. Expect ramen, bánh mì, pad thai, curry, satay, spring rolls, and more. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. means lunch through early dinner is covered.

Jatka78 brings back Cirk La Putyka's acclaimed circus-dance-marathon hybrid after months touring Taiwan. Four dancers and two musicians perform on a massive custom-built treadmill while running almost an entire marathon of powerful choreography, wheel stunts, bewildering acrobatics, and original live music. The show examines life in a fast-paced world where we can't stop. It has received five-star reviews from Edinburgh Fringe, "guaranteed to forever alter the way you see circuses."

Nusle's hidden courtyards come alive Saturday with the annual Nuselské dvorky festival. CIRQUEON Centre for New Circus transforms forgotten industrial spaces between factory buildings, Vnitroblok Mečislavka, and Zrno Zrnko bakery into all-day circus, theater, dance, creative workshops, and family programming. Expect contemporary circus performances from professionals and storytelling, acrobatic jump rope workshops, juggling sessions, tours of CIRQUEON's new fall-opening space, bakery tours, screen-printing workshops, wooden crafts with Bára Hubená, and live music.

London-based producer Jacob Allen brings his Puma Blue project to Palác Akropolis Friday on the Croak Dream tour, blending neosoul, hypnagogic pop, jazz, downtempo, and R&B into nocturnal ambience. British-Nigerian electronic producer Tony Njoku opensw with modern classical, ambient textures, and forward-thinking production.

Kino 35 screens Hungarian director György Pálfi's Greek tragicomic odyssey about a black hen in a white factory farm who escapes slaughter and stumbles into a human-trafficking operation on the Aegean coast – no dialogue, just a chicken navigating survival while humans around her smuggle refugees in a darkly allegorical tale about life's value. English-friendly with subtitles.

Letenská pláň transforms into Prague's biggest public transit celebration Saturday for the 9th annual PID Bus Day brings static displays of modern buses from PID carriers, free rides on historical buses running 8 special routes radiating from Letná to Bubeneč, Holešovice, Střešovice, and beyond, plus a free historical tramway line 43 connecting Střešovice MHD Museum to the festival grounds. Kids can explore over 20 unusual buses (including Berlin's double-decker), board electric buses and articulated giants, check out info stands from Prague Transit, Czech Railways, and DPP, play transport-themed board games designed by students, and ride vintage coaches for free all day.

Bistro Moje Místo hosts the Vršovice Design Market Friday, with local makers, original fashion, handmade jewelry, design objects, and accessories sold by creators from the neighborhood. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. means you can browse morning coffee through late afternoon, soaking up Vršovice's community atmosphere.

If you’re craving something to do in Prague that doesn’t feel like the same rotation of beer gardens, brunch spots, and weekend markets, then how about a trip to Asia? Think loud street food stalls, lantern-lit corners, cherry blossoms, and an energy that feels a little chaotic in a good way. From May 15 to 17, Metropole Zličín will host Asian Days, a three-day festival that brings live performances, local traditions, and hands-on workshops together in one immersive program.