Guide to 2025 or What You Shouldn’t Miss in Pilsen
Pilsen expects a year full of celebrations that will enthuse lovers of culture, history and good fun. The events that will accompany the whole year as a commemoration of 10 years since the title European Capital of Culture will start already in March. May will belong to spectacular celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen by the American army and of the end of the Second World War. In the summer, you will experience the atmosphere of open-air festivals and historic celebrations commemorating 730 years since the foundation of the city. How to enjoy Pilsen to the fullest in the new year? These are tips for the most interesting events.
Ice Sculptures in Depo Moto Art
The recently opened museum Depo Moto Art, known for its remarkable collection of historical cars, motorcycles and bicycles, is preparing another attraction this winter – the exhibition of ice sculptures. In a unique cooled area, there will be sculptural works on display, connecting art and a frozen elegance. At the moment, we are preparing the details. Follow our web or the museum website.
The Giant Light Puppets and Video Mapping on the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral
The first weekend in March (8th March 2025) will start the year of celebrations in a big way. A light show with two giant light puppets from Germany, Stuttgart under the name DUNDU will be presented on Republic Square. The evening will be complete with an impressive video mapping on the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, which will commemorate crucial moments from the history of the city as well as its achievements in culture and sport.
BLIK BLIK Festival of Light with an expanded programme
The tenth jubilee year of the BLIK BLIK Festival of Light (21st and 22nd March 2025) will bring an expanded programme full of exceptional light installations. The 4.7 km long route will lead from the city centre through Slovany to Světovar. Right here, in a revitalised building of a former brewery, nowadays a modern technological park called TechTower, you will see an impressive installation of the French studio Collectif Scale.
The celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War will be spectacular
Every year, Pilsen commemorates the events of May 1945 with a several-day Liberation Festival. This year (2nd – 6th May 2025), the jubilee celebrations are planned with an exceptional programme, which will include military historical camps with demonstrations of soldiers’ lives, a unique parade of hundreds of pieces of military historical equipment, known as Convoy of Liberty, and thematic cultural events. The celebrations of the end of the Second World War have a one-of-a-kind atmosphere in Pilsen. This year, interesting VIP guests from home and abroad, are going to attend; among them, of course, the descendants of veterans.
Night with Opera will be dominated by The Merry Widow
A mainstay in the Pilsen cultural calendar, which attracts viewers from all over Czechia and also abroad, is Night with Opera. This year’s edition of the unique open-air show (27th June 2025) will offer thousands of visitors Franz Lehár’s timeless operetta The Merry Widow. Enjoy a top cultural experience at the end of the theatre season in the Lochotín amphitheatre. Tickets will likely go on sale in mid-March. We recommend making a reservation in advance.
Pilsen will shine to the whole world in September
September in Pilsen will be literally packed. In addition to popular events like A Sun in a Glass or Finále Film Festival, the celebrations of 10 years since the title European Capital of Culture will culminate in an extraordinary music and acrobatic show Muaré Experience on Republic Square. You can look forward to the interactive light show Lampadophores of the theatre company Picto Facto as well as an air acrobatic comedy performed by the Spanish group Voalá Station. The highlight of this event will be offered by 21 artists altogether, 12 of them will be suspended on cranes just above the heads of visitors, both on Friday,12th and Saturday, 13th September.
Pilsner Fest this time in the city centre
In October, you should not miss traditional celebrations of brewing the first batch of the Pilsner Urquell beer. They are regularly held on the first weekend in October and this year is no exception. Due to reconstruction, Pilsner Fest will move from the brewery courtyard to the centre of Pilsen. Get ready for great draft beer, quality music and original beer experiences.
