Prague Entertainment Guide – Theaters, Music, Museums, and more
Prague has even more to offer than the architectural wonders that likely prompted you to dream of travel here. This enchanting old Bohemian capital is also a cultural hub teeming with a vibrant entertainment scene. Whether you’re interested in classical music, theater, old masters, edgy contemporary art or history, you’re in the right place to immerse yourself in quality entertainment.
Options range from grandiose opera and ballet at the National Theatre to stylish jazz clubs, to the state-of-the-art exhibitions at Prague’s many museums. Along with our curated Prague entertainment guide below, we also invite you to discover why the history of the Czech National Theatre is as dramatic as the perfomances on stage by taking our Prague Introduction tour.
Take a Walking Tour with Insight Cities
Our walking tours can help you gain more insight into the Czech culture. First time in Prague? Try our Prague Introduction tour which spans the Golden City’s 1,000 year tumultuous story. We also offer tours of Prague Castle, the dazzling Strahov Library, and more! And we customize a tour of Czech Music history with an expert guide, covering Mozart’s many visits to the Golden City along with the great composers of the Czech National Revival, Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana. Write us at info@insightcities.com and we’ll arrange it for you!
Music & Theatre in Prague
Classical Music & Opera
Prague’s grand neoclassical National Theatre building on the banks of the Vltava river is not only a place to enjoy spectacular opera, ballet, and drama but also a symbol of Czech national identity. It was built through public donations in the 1880s to launch Czech productions at a time when they were repressed under imperial Austrian rule. Separated today into four different venues (National Theatre, State Opera, the Estates Theatre, and the New Stage), performances run daily except for July and August when the main stages go dark. Never fear! Even in summer, you can still find regular productions at the graceful Estates Theatre (1783), the only remaining theatre where Mozart himself conducted his own work, including the premier of his “dark opera” Don Giovanni in 1787.
Also gracing the banks of the Vltava, you’ll find classical masterworks from the outstanding Czech Philharmonic orchestra at the beautiful Rudolfnium concert hall. The orchestra performs throughout the season with guest artists during their frequent world tours. Every June they also offer a free outdoor concert outside of Prague Castle.
Theatre
Presenting several productions a year, Prague Shakespeare Company offers excellent English language performances of not just Shakespearean classics but of contemporary plays as well. The company mostly performs at Divadlo Na Prádle, located in Malá Strana, but also does productions in collaboration with the National Theatre on their grander stages.
Jára Cimrman is presented as a universal genius – one of the greatest playwrights, inventors, writers, composers, poets, athletes, philosophers, detectives, and mathematicians of his time. The only thing is, he isn’t a real person! The fictional persona of Jára Cimrman was created by a group of Czechs. Cimrman English Theatre is dedicated to performing these plays by this fictitious playwright for the English speaking audience in Prague. Often comedies, these productions are not to be missed for a true slice of Czech satirical wit.
Taking place every May, Prague Fringe is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in miniature. The festival takes place around Malostranské náměstí in Malá Strana, with hundreds of performances happening over just a week. You’ll find shows for all tastes – comedy, drama, dance, and more. The festival attracts visitors and performers alike from around the world.
Jazz
Situated just off the Vltava River, Jazz Dock features performances by outstanding musicians year round. During the summer months, you can relax on the rooftop terrace with an unmatched view of the beautiful river while grooving to live jazz music or, if you’re in Prague during the colder season, you can cozy up inside their indoor lounge.
As the oldest continually-operated jazz and theater club in the world, Reduta stands as a revolutionary cultural monument with a rich history dating back to 1957. Notable for hosting top musicians, presidents, and dignitaries, Club Reduta was named one of the top ten jazz venues in Europe. Situated in the heart of Prague near historic landmarks, the club offers VIP seating options and a charming Saxophone Bar for relaxation.
Since 1997, this renowned music club in Prague has continuously hosted concerts, showcasing both local Czech musicians and international artists from diverse genres. With unique concert programming, Jazz Republic partners with 30 prominent Czech jazz musicians, creating one-of-a-kind music formations for each performance. This approach ensures that every concert is special, as the lineup and repertoire are never repeated and most performances are free of charge.
Museums
Art Museums in Prague
Located in a former factory, DOX is a contemporary art museum showcasing cutting-edge exhibitions and installations. It features exhibition spaces, a multifunctional hall, the Gulliver Airship, a design shop, a bookstore, and the Fine Art Archive as well as hosting a diverse program blending art, literature, theatre, and music, offering a platform for critical public discussions on relevant global topics.
Prague’s foremost modern art museum, Museum Kampa is centrally located on the banks of the Vltava River and features a collection of central European art from the 20th and 21st centuries. It includes works by František Kupka and other important 20th-century artists from the Eastern Bloc. The museum’s mission is to preserve and showcase modern artwork from a tumultuous historical period, while also providing educational programs for the public.
Formerly, the only museum in the world solely dedicated to the life and work of Art Nouveau artist Alphonse Mucha, the Mucha Museum showcases a comprehensive collection of his paintings, posters, and designs. It is divided into five sections each focusing on a particular medium of Mucha’s artistic output: decorative panels, Parisian posters, advertisements, Czech posters, and memorabilia.
Mucha Museum in Savarin Palace
Opened on January 24, 2025, this official museum is a collaboration between the Mucha Foundation and Czech developer Crestyl. Located in the restored 18th-century Savarin Palace near Prague’s Old Town Square, it features over 300 of Mucha’s works, including his famous theatrical posters and designs for Czechoslovakia’s early stamps and banknotes. The museum aims to present a comprehensive view of Mucha’s artistic legacy.
Further Insight: Interested in Art Nouveau? Check out our Prague Art Nouveau and Cubism tour and experience the fantastic art nouveau design movement that left its stamp on Prague’s architecture in Mucha’s era.
The National Gallery is the largest art gallery in the Czech Republic, housing an extensive collection of Czech and international art spanning from the Middle Ages to the present day while also regularly hosting seminars, lectures, discussions, art studios, and classes for both adults and children. The gallery itself is spread across seven different buildings within Prague’s city center.
Promoting modern and contemporary Czech and international art through exhibitions, events, and educational programs, Kunsthalle Praha is a great stop on your Prague vacation. Through their art collection, research, and support for international artists via their artist-in-residence program, their mission is to connect the contemporary Czech and world art scenes.
This museum showcases decorative arts, including ceramics, glass, textiles, metalwork, and furniture, with a focus on Czech and European craftsmanship. Their aim is to promote a deeper appreciation for the cultural importance of decorative arts, design, architecture, and related art forms. Within the museum, you can find art pieces dating back to the Middle Ages all the way through to the late 20th century.
Located within Prague Castle, these exhibits are the private art collection of the Lobkowicz family, including paintings, musical instruments, and historical artifacts. Confiscated during Nazi and communist regimes of the 20th century, they were reclaimed for the Czech public after the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Curated over centuries, the collection includes renowned works by artists like Bruegel and Velázquez, as well as medieval art, weaponry, ceramics, and a notable 17th-century Delft dinner service. Musical treasures from the 17th–19th centuries, such as annotated works by Mozart and Beethoven, complement the cultural, political, and economic history of Central Europe exhibited.
Music & Film Museums
This museum celebrates the rich musical heritage of the Czech Republic, with exhibits on famous composers, musical instruments, and the country’s classical music tradition. Highlights include instruments by renowned Czech and Italian makers, as well as unique items like a piano played by Mozart and rare glass harmonicas. Visitors can also discover the innovative fusion of music and electricity in the “Music with voltage” hall, while enjoying a soundtrack of music from different instruments throughout the exhibition.
Located in the heart of Prague, the National Film Museum explores the history and development of Czech cinematography, with exhibits on famous filmmakers, iconic films, and special effects. Visitors can experiment with various historic projectors including the magic lantern and hand-controlled 35mm film projectors to create captivating images, learn the art of recording film soundtracks in the cutting-edge recording studio, master the techniques of foley sound effects, and create an animated short film.
Dedicated to the life and music of Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, this museum features displays on his compositions, instruments, and personal belongings. The permanent exhibition documents the composer’s life and talks about his many travels throughout the world.
Newly opened in the center of Prague, this museum offers an interactive experience with the world-famous composer. Rooted in digital age technology, visitors can experience the world of Mozart like never before. Guests can play musical instruments, conduct music, and more.
History Museums
Offering a glimpse into life in Czechoslovakia during the Communist era, the Museum of Communism has displays on propaganda, political persecution, and everyday life under the totalitarian regime. Enhancing the visitor experience are short videos, posters, artifacts, and mock ups of various spaces such as a classroom and an interrogation room.
Further Insight: Want to take a deep dive into Prague’s communist era past? Check out our Prague Cold War walking tour! You’ll see sights ranging from the towering Vítkov Hill to the iconic Wenceslas Square, where the Velvet Revolution of 1989 began.
The largest museum in Prague, the National Museum showcases exhibits on Czech history, culture, and natural history, with artifacts dating back to ancient times. Particular displays of interest include the theatre collection, discussing the history of theatre through artifacts, and the modern Czech history collection with over 22,000 pieces from everyday life, politics, economics, and the food industry.
Dedicated to the life and works of renowned Czech writer Franz Kafka, this museum features personal letters, manuscripts, and memorabilia from the author’s life. They also have 3-D installations, audiovisual pieces, and a soundtrack specifically created for the exhibition.
This museum explores the history of technology and industry in the Czech Republic, with displays on transportation, communication, and innovations in science and engineering. They offer educational programs, activities, and tours for families as well.
Comprising several historic sites in the Jewish Quarter of Prague, Prague’s Jewish Museum offers insight into the history and culture of the Jewish community in the Czech Republic. Your ticket gives you entry to the Old Jewish cemetery, the Old-New Synagogue, the Spanish Synagogue, the Pinkas Synagogue and more. Each synagogue offers a different exhibition on a facet of Jewish life, with the exception of the Old-New Synagogue which is Europe’s oldest still-operating synagogue.
Further Insight: Prague’s Jewish sites are best seen with a guide. Luckily, we have our own Stories of Jewish Prague tour to help you discover the Jewish Quarter. With an expert guide, you’ll learn about the complex and fascinating history of Prague’s once-thriving Jewish population.
Need more recommendations?
If you’re looking for entertainment events during a specific time of year, peruse our seasonal blog posts: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. You can also check out our Prague travel guide for all the tips you need for your trip.
Otherwise, feel free to contact us at info@insightcities.com. We’re happy to help you with your trip to Prague or any of neighboring cities in Central Europe. We also offer tours and assistance in Vienna, Berlin, Budapest, and Salzburg.