This post provides several fun ideas for things you can do in Prague throughout the month of May 2023.
We include a variety of family-friendly, free, and nighttime activities.
Disclosure: While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the full text.
The following list will cover multiple fun activities that will be taking place during the month of May in Prague, including various events, concerts, attractions, tours, and more.
For more activities and events, see our master post of things to do in Prague.
In addition to our list, here are a few other posts you may want to check out for even more to do in this city.
- Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tours
- Free Walking Tours
- Visiting Prague Castle
- Prague Tourist Passes
- Where to Stay in Prague
We also have a post on the weather in Prague in May.
1. Go to a Concert
Although this isn’t a city traditionally known for attracting a lot of musical performers, they do get some pretty big names coming into town throughout the year.
Below we list the top performers playing this month:
- Maneskin | May 14th
- Pentatonix | May 23rd
- Roger Waters | May 24th
- Iron Maiden | May 30th
In addition to these options, fans of classical music might also want to consider going to a Mozart concert at the Boccaccio Ballroom. Alternatively, you can also enjoy the music of Beethoven, Bach, Dvorak, Smetana, and others at a Lobkowicz Palace concert.
If you’re looking for more musical performances, check this list of Prague’s concerts this month on StubHub.
2. See a Theatrical Performance
If you’re a fan of dance, you might enjoy Shen Yun.
This classical Chinese dance troupe has the goal of reviving 5,000 years of Chinese history through music and dance.
They mix classical Chinese music with various other genres including jazz, pop, and orchestral.
The troupe will be appearing at the State Opera House in four shows over May 10th-12th, 2023.
For even more theatrical performances, make sure to check and see what’s playing at Hybernia Theatre during your trip to Prague.
3. Discover the Foods of Prague
There’s a lot of fantastic food to eat in this city, but it won’t necessarily be easy to find the best restaurants and meals on your own.
If you’d like some help picking delicious dishes, consider taking a food tour.
There are several different companies offering tours that can introduce you to the culinary culture of Prague.
These outings usually include tastings of at least 4-5 different dishes, so prepare to come hungry and leave full!
Here are a few of the best food tours in Prague:
- Eating Prague: Half-Day Food Tour
- Private Food Tour w/ 10 Tastings
- The Castle Side with Local Food and Beer
- 4-Hour Gourmet Food Tour
- Prague Food & History Tour
If you're looking for more familiar dishes, consider heading out to Hard Rock Cafe instead!
4. Free Fireworks over the Charles Bridge
On May 15, 2023, head over to the Charles Bridge or the banks nearby to see the free annual St. John's Navalis Sound & Light Show.
This will be one of the best night events this month.
At 19:45 (7;45 pm) there will be a parade of boats. Followed by a baroque music performance at 20:30 (8:30 pm) and fireworks afterward.
The fireworks are especially lovely as they reflect off the river.
Prague at night is exceptionally beautiful, and even more so when seen from the water. You may want to consider an evening cruise.
5. Take an Evening Cruise
This is one city that looks especially beautiful after dark when all the lights turn on, and there are multiple cruises available that provide excellent views of Prague at night.
One of the best options is a 3-hour dinner cruise which includes a buffet, live music, a free drink, and audio commentary about the history of the city.
Another choice is to hop on the Prague Jazz Boat for a 2 ½ hour evening on the water featuring a live jazz session and a 3-course meal.
Of course, if you’re only interested in a sightseeing cruise, there is one evening boat tour that lasts for approximately 50 minutes and provides commentary about the history of Prague.
No matter what type of experience you want to have out on the water, there’s probably an evening cruise that fits your schedule and interests.
6. Save Money With a Tourist Pass
If you’re planning to visit multiple attractions in Prague, chances are that a tourist discount pass will help you save some money.
Depending on which service you choose, you could save up to 50% or more off general admission prices at several popular locations.
Here are a few of the most notable landmarks, activities, tours, and attractions included with at least one Prague tourist pass:
- Hop on Hop off Bus Tour
- The Franz Kafka Museum
- Astronomical Clock Tower
- Czech Museum of Music
- Petřín Observation Tower
- Prague Castle Admission
- The Jewish Museum
- Sternberg Palace
- Old Town Hall
- Prague Zoo
- Vyšehrad
- And more!
For additional details about these services, please read our post covering Prague tourist passes.
7. See Notable Architecture for Free
Prague is just one of a dozen cities worldwide that holds an annual Open House weekend.
Open House weekends give the public free access to dozens of architecturally and culturally significant buildings that are not generally open to the public.
Prague's Open House is on May 15th - 21st, 2023.
There will be 517 open buildings and structures to visit that most people never have the chance to see. Some featured rooftops you can go on to for amazing views of the city.
You will be able to take free guided tours of churches, private buildings, and residences, including the Mayor’s Residence.
A treat will be the Romanesque cellars of the Stone Bell House.
This is a unique opportunity if you are in Prague on these dates. Best of all, it won't cost you anything!
8. Commemorate Liberation Day
For many countries in Europe, May 8th is the anniversary of Liberation Day (also known as VE Day).
On this date in 1945, Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces, and European countries were 'liberated' from Nazi occupation during World War II.
In the Czech Republic, May 8th is a national holiday so some businesses, banks, postal offices, and the like are closed. This doesn't mean there is nothing to do in Prague!
One fitting activity is to take a World War II Tour or a trip to Terezin Concentration Camp historic site.
You can also join the crowds who gather at the National Memorial on Vitkov Hill to observe a one-minute silence and watch the Prime Minister and President lay wreaths.
For even more options, including several activities that won’t cost a thing, make sure to read our post covering free walking tours of Prague.
9. Visit a Museum
There are several wonderful museums in Prague, including quite a few family-friendly locations.
Whether you’re interested in art, music, the history of this city, or beer, there’s probably at least one museum you’ll enjoy.
Below are some of our favorites with links to their Get Your Guide tickets pages.
- Czech Beer Museum
- The Franz Kafka Museum
- The Jewish Museum
- Chocolate Museum
- LEGO Museum
- Czech Museum of Music
- Apple Museum
- Illusions Museum
- Beer Museum
Some of these locations are actually included with Prague tourist passes, and others are pretty affordable at just 200 - 300 CZK per ticket.
10. Take the Kids to the Zoo
With the sun coming out in spring, this is an excellent time to take the kids out to the zoo so that they can see some of the most interesting animals in the world.
Prague Zoo includes a variety of different species including favorites such as elephants, penguins, gorillas, polar bears, tortoises, and more.
As a matter of fact, there are more than 1,200 mammals, 1,700 birds, 1,000 reptiles, and 700 fish on display at this location!
If you want to make the experience even more special, you can actually get a Prague Zoo combo ticket which includes a boat ride to the attraction.
Alternatively, the zoo is also included at no extra cost with some Prague tourist passes, which is another great way to save money on tickets.
Go on a Beer Tour
If you’re a fan of beer, you’ll find some of the best in the world right here in Prague. That said, it’s pretty useful to have a guide on hand to help you pick the best drinks!
Luckily, there are several beer tours available in Prague, and each of them provides anywhere from 3-6 free drinks on average.
Here are a few of the best Prague beer tours you can take in May:
- Prague Beer Bike Tour
- Czech Beer Tasting Tour
- Prague Mini-Breweries Beer Tour with Czech Appetizers
- 3-Hour Microbrewery Tour
- 3-Hour Beer Tour + Czech Dinner
You might also want to consider visiting the Staropramem Brewery to see where one of the most popular beers in Prague is made.
You may also want to check out the Czech Beer Museum!
Discover the Dark Side of Prague
While Prague’s history is rich and filled with wonderful tales, there are some details that are left out of most tours.
If you’re interested in learning about some of the darker aspects of this city, consider one of the following outings.
Our first recommendation is an Underground Prague tour which covers the medieval passages and dark dungeons of the city, discussing both mythology and supernatural tales from the past.
Another option is the Ghosts and Legends tour which will take you down mysterious alleyways, dark streets, and even past the Astronomical Clock!
Both of these services are focused on the spookier side of the city, and they take place after dark, making them excellent nighttime activities.
Attend the Veggie Festival
Taking place on May 1, 2023, this is the largest vegan event in the Czech Republic, and it’s held annually at Naplavka, right next to the river.
The best thing about this festival is that it’s entirely free to attend, so even if you’re not traditionally a fan of vegetables, it’s not like you have to spend anything to attend!
Although you won’t have to purchase tickets, we do recommend bringing some money along just in case you get hungry and see something green that you just can’t live without.
Learn more about the Prague Veggie Festival.
More Family-Friendly Activities
If you’re looking for even more fun things to do with your kids in Prague this May, here are a few additional ideas to consider.
What better time to interact with butterflies than during the spring?
The Papilonia Butterfly House has hundreds of exotic butterfly species from all over the world, and tickets are very affordable!
Alternatively, you could also take the kids out for a fun round of Glow in the Dark Mini Golf.
This course is designed to glow using UV Light, ensuring a unique and interesting golfing experience that kids are sure to love.
Watch or Run the Prague Marathon
The Prague International Marathon is held each year in May, attracting runners from around the world.
The course passes some of the city's best-known landmarks along a scenic path that winds through the heart of Prague.
Spectators line the route, cheering on runners, and there are food and drink vendors on hand as well.
Note there is also a 4K fun run, and a half marathon that weekend as well, so everyone can participate.
The race takes place on May 7th, 2023. Visit the website for more information.
Find Joy at the Prague Fringe Festival
If you've heard of Edinburgh Fringe, you may know about the festival that draws amazing artists and performers who showcase their talents to the gathered crowds.
Prague has its own Fringe Festival, one that pulls folks from comedy, music, dance, and other art forms to the stage.
It's a fun and engaging weekend, and one sure to entertain everyone.
The festival takes place May 22nd-27th, with shows taking place at venues around Prague.
Note that the shows are in English.
More information can be found here.
Listen to a Classical Music Festival
The annual Prague Spring Festival is the oldest and largest musical event in the Czech Republic.
The festival draws world-class musicians and crowds from around the world in celebration of classical music and the arts. It also includes a number of cultural exhibitions.
Events take place at some of Prague's most well-known venues, such as Rudolfinum, Municipal House, and the National Theatre.
The festival takes place May 6th-14th.
More information can be found here.
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