The Czech Republic beyond Prague: the seven best festivals to visit the country for this summer

Many tourist destinations have an icon of international fame. But that can be a double-edged sword: sometimes, those symbols are so powerful that they end up eclipsing everything around them. Prague and the Czech Republic would be an example. No one doubts that it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. But it is so much so that it screens the rest of the Czech Republic and a good part of the travelers stay in the capital without imagining what its surroundings offer. And not only cities, such as Karlovy Vary, Cesky Krumlov or Olomouc. Also its options of nature, entertainment, and above all, its musical offer.

Did you know that Czechs are music lovers by birth and that music, from classical to rock, is a kind of transgenerational country brand? In summer, the Czech Republic is flooded with music festivals of all kinds. A good excuse to visit Prague, of course, and then continue the trip through the country following in the footsteps of music. These are the seven main festivals, in order of date of celebration.

More information

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1. Rock for People Festival (Hradec Králové)

It is one of the most important rock festivals in the country. It is held just 100 kilometers from Prague, in the city ofHradec Králové, in Eastern Bohemia. With two decades behind them, the headliners of its 2023 edition are Slipknot, Machine Gun Kelly, The 1975 and Muse. It is possible to camp or park with a motorhome on site. To this we must add that this city between the Elbe and Orlice rivers has magnificent examples of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and modern architecture in its streets. From 8 to 11 June.

2. Smetanova Festival (Litomyšl)

Litomyšl, the birthplace of the composer Bedrich Smetana (1824-1884), has been the venue for this prestigious international festival that bears his name, the second oldest in the country, since 1946. The Renaissance Palace of Litomyšl, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, hosts the event. Opera, sacred music, choral music and ballet embody the Smetanova Festival in Litomyšl. The city is located 160 kilometers east of Prague and the festival is an excellent excuse to get lost in these corners of Bohemia. From 15 June to 2 July.

3. Metronome Festival (Prague)

The Metronome is a young event that celebrates its sixth edition this year. Its headquarters is unmatched: Prague. Groups and artists such as Jamiroquai, ZAZ, Aurora, White Lies, David Koller or M83 will meet at the Vystaviste fairgrounds, in the Holešovice district. A fantastic opportunity to cross the Charles Bridge over the Vltava River, visit the Old Town Square (Stare Mesto), marvel at the astronomical clock of the Town Hall or the Church of Our Lady of Tyn and wander through Malá Strana or Hradčany, the Castle district. From 22 to 24 June.

4. Beats for Love Festival (Ostrava)

Ostrava, in the Moravian-Silesian region, is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and has a strong mining and industrial character. In the height of summer, Beats for Love floods the Dolní Vítkovice with electronic music, a former industrial complex transformed into a large educational, social and cultural center. In this edition, 400 artists are expected in more than 12 scenarios. A poster of scandal in which DJ Hardwell, Tiësto, Angerfist or Apashe participate. From 5 to 8 July.

Performance in one of the past editions of the Jewish Festival of Boskovice (Czech Republic).

5. Jewish Festival (Boskovice)

This festival, which was born at the end of the eighties of the last century to raise funds for the conservation and restoration of the Jewish quarter of Boskovice, has become one of the most deeply rooted summer musical events in the country. Alternative rock, indie rock, jazz, punk or world music come annually to this Moravian city of just 12,000 inhabitants. Today, with the appointment consolidated, the Jewish quarter is reason enough to visit this city that is just over 40 kilometers north of Brno. From 6 to 9 July.

The Colours of Ostrava festival will be held from 19 to 22 July at the Dolní Vítkovice industrial complex in the Czech city of Ostrava. Roman Pelderl (FOURCASE)

6. Festival Colours of Ostrava

Back in Ostrava, in the Unesco-recognized industrial space of Dolní Vítkovice and just 10 days after the Beats for Love, one of the festivals best considered by the European Festival Awards is celebrated. The Colours of Ostrava has already more than 20 editions and in its poster, with bands and established artists -but with space also for new bands-, you can listen from jazz or flamenco to punk, ska, electronic or music from different parts of the world. This year, OneRepublic, Ellie Goulding, Burna Boy, Macklemore or Gilberto Gil & Family are part of an extensive program that is completed with plays, films, workshops or debates. From 19 to 22 July.

One of the concerts of the Bohemian JazzFest in Vrtba Park, the oldest baroque garden in Prague.

7. Bohemia JazzFest (several cities)

This is one of the great summer events not only in the Czech Republic, but throughout Europe. The Bohemia JazzFest was born in 2006 by the Czech guitarist Rudy Linka. In 2023 it will reach 18 editions of open-air concerts that will take place in six Czech cities: Prague, Pilsen, Hluboká nad Vltavou, Prachatice, Domažlice and Brno. The poster will be published shortly on the official website of the festival. All concerts are free. From 10 to 18 July.

You can follow Paco Nadal also on Spotify, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter. And listen to him every Friday, at 19.00, with Carles Francino in La Ventana, from Cadena SER.

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