A Connoisseur’s Guide to the Prague International Music Festivals: Summer 2025

Overture: Prague’s 2025 Summer of Sound

As the summer of 2025 dawns, Prague transforms. The city’s ancient spires and cobblestone lanes, long the silent witnesses to centuries of history, become the backdrop for a vibrant and sprawling soundscape. Far more than a static architectural marvel, Prague in the summer is a living, breathing stage, offering a cultural calendar of breathtaking scope and diversity. It is a city where a world-renowned orchestra can perform in a grand Art Nouveau hall one evening, and a punk-rock legend can command an open-air stage the next. This season promises a remarkable confluence of the traditional and the contemporary, presenting a rich tapestry of musical experiences that cater to every predilection, from the most discerning classical aficionado to the most ardent festival-goer.

The city’s summer music landscape is defined by a fascinating and deliberate duality. On one hand, Prague extends a generous cultural invitation to all through a series of highly accessible, often free, public festivals held in its most iconic public spaces. Events like the Bohemia Jazz Festival on the Old Town Square or the Czech Philharmonic’s open-air concert at Hradčaný Square are not merely performances; they are civic celebrations, weaving music into the very fabric of daily life for residents and visitors alike.¹ This approach serves as a public good, democratizing access to high culture and animating the city’s historic heart. On the other hand, Prague leverages its international prestige to host major ticketed festivals that attract top-tier global talent and dedicated music pilgrims from around the world. Events like the multi-genre Metronome Prague, with its premium ticket options, and the colossal Let It Roll, a destination for electronic music fans, represent the commercial peak of the European festival circuit.¹ This dynamic creates a tiered system of cultural engagement, allowing a visitor to craft a rich and rewarding musical itinerary on virtually any budget. One can wander from a free evening of world-class jazz to a ticketed stadium show, experiencing the full spectrum of what this musical capital has to offer. The following report serves as an exhaustive guide to navigating this dynamic scene, providing not only the essential details but also the context required to curate a truly unforgettable summer of sound.

Prague Summer 2025 Master Festival Calendar

The Marquee Event: Metronome Prague 2025

Positioned as Prague’s largest and most mainstream music event, Metronome Prague has firmly established itself as a quintessential “metropolitan festival”.¹ It masterfully combines the scale and energy of a major international festival with a distinctly urban sensibility, feeling both integrated into the city’s cultural fabric and a world apart. Its timing at the tail end of June makes it a particularly popular celebration for young adults marking the end of the academic year, infusing the atmosphere with a palpable, celebratory energy.¹

Dates and Location

• Dates: The festival will run for three days, from Thursday, June 19 to Saturday, June 21, 2025.¹
• Venue: Metronome Prague takes place at the sprawling Prague Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště) in the Holešovice district.¹ This historic expo area provides a versatile canvas for the event, with ample space to host thousands of fans across multiple stages, from large open-air main stages to more intimate club-style settings. The venue’s location is a key advantage, offering excellent connectivity via Prague’s public transport system, allowing attendees to move seamlessly from the city center to the festival grounds.¹⁰

The Lineup: A Global-Local Fusion

The curation of Metronome’s lineup is a testament to its sophisticated, international outlook, balancing global superstars with beloved Czech icons and emerging artists.

• International Headliners: The 2025 edition boasts a formidable roster of world-renowned acts. Headlining the festival are Canadian-American singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette, British soul powerhouse Rag’n’Bone Man, and the provocative South African rave-rap duo Die Antwoord. They are joined by influential UK artist The Streets, Estonian avant-garde rapper Tommy Cash, and British acid jazz group Freak Power.¹
• Czech Icons & Emerging Talent: The festival proudly showcases the depth of the local music scene. Attendees can experience performances from Czech rock legend Michal Prokop & Framus Five, celebrated singer-songwriters Aneta Langerová and Barbora Poláková, and a host of other contemporary Czech artists like Klára Vytisková and Thom Artway.⁹
• Electronic & DJ Sets: Reflecting the diversity of modern music, the festival includes a strong electronic component. The lineup features live sets and DJ performances from acts such as Germany’s Township Rebellion and Timo Maas, and Finland’s Driftmoon, ensuring the music continues late into the night.¹⁰

Ticket Information: A Detailed Breakdown

Metronome Prague offers a tiered ticketing system designed to accommodate various budgets and preferences. Early booking is strongly recommended as prices increase closer to the festival dates.

• Pricing Structure:
  • 3-Day Full Festival Pass: Provides access to all music stages and accompanying programs for the entire festival duration. Early Bird tickets start at €119, with prices rising to €198 in later phases.⁵
  • 3-Day VIP Pass: Offers an enhanced festival experience. Early Bird pricing begins at €227, with later prices reaching up to €372.⁵
  • 1-Day Tickets: For those unable to attend the full event, single-day tickets are available from €74.⁵
  • Concession Tickets: Reduced-price tickets are available for Juniors (ages 12-20.99) and Children (ages 0-11.99), making it a more accessible event for families.⁵
• Where to Buy: Tickets should be purchased directly from the official festival website, metronome.cz, or its authorized ticketing partners. The festival also endorses TicketSwap for secure resale of tickets, offering a safe alternative to unofficial secondary markets.⁵
• The VIP Experience: The VIP ticket elevates the festival experience significantly, including benefits such as priority check-in to bypass queues, exclusive access to a dedicated VIP zone with superior bar and food selections at festival prices, and access to more comfortable facilities and sanitary services.⁵

Metronome Prague is a clear reflection of the modern European city festival model. It moves beyond simply presenting a lineup of artists to creating a holistic cultural experience. The festival’s commitment to “eco-friendly” practices, such as the use of refundable cups and compostable dishes, alongside the implementation of modern conveniences like cash-free payments and a dedicated festival app, signals a progressive and well-organized event.⁷ This approach, which thoughtfully blends major international commercial acts with a strong representation of local talent, is tailored to a contemporary, conscious, and tech-savvy audience. For the sophisticated cultural tourist, these details are not trivial; they indicate a festival that is not only entertaining but also responsible and aligned with modern values, promising a seamless and high-quality experience.

A Classical Crescendo: A Guide to Orchestras, Opera, and Galas

Prague’s identity as a global capital of classical music is undisputed, and the summer of 2025 offers an unbroken chain of world-class performances. The city’s magnificent concert halls, ornate opera houses, and ancient churches provide acoustically and aesthetically breathtaking settings for a season rich in tradition and innovation. Navigating this landscape reveals a spectrum of offerings, from the grand, historic festivals to the intimate, daily concerts that animate the city’s stones.

A. Prague Spring International Music Festival (Grand Finale)

• Dates: May 11 – June 2, 2025.⁷
• Significance: While the majority of the festival takes place in May, its prestigious conclusion in the first days of June sets a high-brow, celebratory tone for the entire summer. Now in its 80th year, the Prague Spring is rightly considered the “jewel in Prague’s classical music crown,” a world-renowned institution that consistently draws premier international ensembles, soloists, and conductors.⁷ The 2025 edition features appearances by the Boston and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, underscoring its global stature.¹⁵
• Venues: The festival’s main concerts are held in Prague’s most revered classical venues, including the Rudolfinum and the Municipal House (Obecní dům), with some performances also taking place on open-air stages.⁷
• Tickets & Planning: The festival’s immense popularity means that advance planning is essential. Tickets for the 81st festival in 2026, for example, go on sale as early as November 5, 2025, a clear indicator of the high demand from both local and international audiences.¹⁶

B. Prague Proms (The Eclectic Summer Season)

• Dates: May 8 – September 24, 2025.⁷
• Concept: The Prague Proms is a season-long festival that embraces a wonderfully eclectic and accessible approach to programming. While rooted in classical tradition, its scope extends to celebrate film music, jazz, and innovative crossover projects, promising a diverse program that continues throughout the summer months.⁷
• Lineup & Venues: The festival cleverly utilizes a range of venues to match the scale and style of its performances.
  • Grand Concerts: Major symphonic and choral events, such as “Hollywood Night,” “Hundred Voices,” and performances by the brass ensemble Mnozil Brass, are staged in the opulent Art Nouveau splendor of the Municipal House’s Smetana Hall.¹⁷
  • Intimate Performances: For its jazz and chamber music offerings, the festival opts for more personal settings. The Loop Jazz Club Hostivař hosts acts like the Prague Guitar Quartet, the Marta Kloučková Quintet, and a “Bigband in Film” night, while the CNSO Chamber Soloists perform at Žižkostel church.¹⁷
• Tickets: Tickets for all Prague Proms events can be purchased online via the official festival website (pragueproms.cz) and the website of the Czech National Symphony Orchestra (cnso.cz).¹⁷ Prices vary depending on the specific event and venue, with discounts often available for patrons with disabilities, subscribers, and holders of certain passes.²⁰

C. Prague Summer Nights (The Rising Stars)

• Dates: June 16 – July 14, 2025.⁷
• Concept: Prague Summer Nights is a unique and intensive Young Artists Music Festival. It provides a crucial platform for aspiring opera singers, orchestral musicians, and conductors to gain invaluable professional experience by performing in historic European venues under the guidance of a world-class faculty.⁷
• Program Focus: The festival is centered on the production and performance of fully staged operas, with the 2025 season featuring Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Puccini’s Suor Angelica. The program is rounded out with symphonic concerts, chamber music showcases, and cabaret nights.⁷
• Venues: A key feature of this festival is its multi-city footprint. It begins with rehearsals and concerts in the historic Czech town of Tábor and in various venues across Prague, including the Rudolfinum’s Suk Hall and the Church of St. Simon and Jude. The festival culminates in a series of prestigious opera performances in Vienna, Austria, offering participants a truly international experience.⁷
• Public Access & Tickets: Although it is a training program, the festival’s performances are open to the public. Tickets for many events can be purchased online, and some showcases, such as the Chamber Music concert at the Rudolfinum’s Suk Hall, are offered free of charge.²⁴ Performances staged at the National Theatre are ticketed through the theatre’s own box office system, with sales opening up to six months in advance.³⁰

D. The Daily Classical Offering

Beyond the structured timelines of the major festivals, Prague’s classical music scene thrives as a daily, ever-present cultural offering. This constant availability is a defining characteristic of the city’s appeal to cultural tourists. A visitor does not need to align their trip with a specific festival to be guaranteed an evening of high-quality music in an unforgettable setting. Dozens of concerts take place every week, often featuring populist and accessible programs designed to appeal to a broad audience, with staples like Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons,” Mozart’s “A Little Night Music,” and collections of famous arias.³¹

The venues for these concerts are as much a part of the attraction as the music itself. Performances are held in some of Prague’s most historically and architecturally significant locations, including:

• St. Nicholas Church at the Old Town Square
• The Klementinum, with concerts in both the magnificent Mirror Chapel and St. Clement’s Cathedral
• Lobkowicz Palace within the Prague Castle complex
• The ancient churches of St. Giles and St. Martin in the Wall.³¹

This creates a low-barrier entry point for the casual tourist to experience classical music, while simultaneously offering a rich and varied menu of options for the seasoned connoisseur.

All That Jazz & World Rhythms

Prague’s summer is not just about classical grandeur; it also pulses with the vibrant, improvisational energy of jazz and the diverse, global beats of world music. From massive, free open-air gatherings to intimate club sessions and festivals celebrating cultural tolerance, the city offers a rich spectrum of sounds from around the planet.

A. Bohemia JazzFest

• Dates: The festival tours multiple Czech cities from July 8 to July 15, 2025. The flagship Prague event is scheduled for a single day on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.³⁵
• Concept: Founded by the acclaimed jazz guitarist Rudy Linka, Bohemia JazzFest has grown into one of Europe’s most significant jazz events. It takes world-class jazz out of the concert hall and into the historic public squares of Czech cities, including Prague, Pilsen, Hluboká nad Vltavou, and Brno.¹
• Venue & Access: The Prague performance is held on the iconic Old Town Square. In a remarkable gesture of cultural philanthropy, all concerts in the festival series are completely free to attend, attracting large, enthusiastic crowds of locals and tourists.¹
• Lineup: The festival is known for bringing both the “biggest and newest names in modern jazz” to the country, alongside a thrilling blend of blues, funk, and world music.¹ The specific 2025 lineup is typically announced closer to the festival dates.³⁶

B. Respect Festival

• Dates: Saturday, June 14 – Sunday, June 15, 2025.¹
• Concept: Now in its 28th year, the Respect Festival is a vibrant celebration of global music and cultural diversity. It is curated as a “zone of tolerance full of music, rhythms, colours and flavours from all over the world,” presenting an adventurous program that ranges from fading traditions to contemporary global fusions.⁴²
• Venue: The festival unfolds in the relaxed, open-air environment of Štvanice Island (Ostrov Štvanice), a green oasis on the Vltava River.⁷
• Lineup: The 2025 lineup is a compelling journey across continents, featuring:
  • Mari Boine (Norway): A pioneering artist who introduced Sámi music to a global audience.
  • Bassekou Kouyate & Amy Sacko (Mali): A master of the ngoni lute, drawing from deep griot traditions.
  • Justin Adams & Mauro Durante (UK, Italy): A duo blending Saharan and American blues with Italian pizzica rhythms.
  • Al Bilali Soudan (Mali): Delivering raw, electrified Touareg music from the Sahara.
  • Madalitso Band (Malawi): Street musicians creating an infectious sound with unique, handmade instruments.⁴¹
• Tickets: Two-day passes are priced from 800 CZK (early bird) to 900 CZK. Tickets can be purchased via the GoOut ticketing platform.¹

C. The Jazz Dock: A Year-Round Hub

The Jazz Dock stands as Prague’s premier, year-round venue for jazz and related genres. Uniquely situated on the banks of the Vltava River, this modern club offers an extensive program of high-quality performances in an intimate setting. Throughout the summer, it hosts its own “Jazz of Four Continents” festival series. The calendar for June 2025 is packed with nightly performances from local and international artists.⁴⁴ Notable highlights for July include concerts by two-time Grammy-nominated artist

Becca Stevens and the charismatic multi-instrumentalist Casey Abrams & Friends.⁴⁴

D. Folk & Cultural Celebrations

• Prague Folklore Days: Scheduled for July 17-20, 2025, this is one of the largest events of its kind in Central Europe. The city’s squares and stages come alive with singers, dancers, and musicians in traditional costumes, presenting the rich folk heritage of Central and Eastern European nations. The event is accompanied by traditional food and drink, creating a lively, family-friendly atmosphere.¹
• International Folk Dance and Music Festival “Dancing in Prague”: Taking place from July 29 to August 1, 2025, this festival invites folk groups, choirs, and orchestras from around the globe to share their cultural traditions. The event includes parades and performances, with participation based on application.⁴⁶

The Electronic Pulse: Global Beats in the Heart of Europe

Prague and its surroundings serve as a major hub for the European electronic music scene, anchored by one of the world’s most significant genre-specific festivals. While the city’s clubs pulse with electronic beats all summer, the season’s pinnacle event requires a dedicated journey, a pilgrimage for the most devoted fans of high-tempo, bass-driven music.

A. Let It Roll: The Drum & Bass Mecca

A critical point of clarification is essential for any traveler planning to attend Let It Roll: while it is intrinsically linked with Prague in marketing and for international travel logistics, the festival itself does not take place within the city limits. It is a destination festival held at Lake Most, a location in the Ústí nad Labem Region of Czechia, a significant journey from the capital.⁴ Many attendees fly into Prague and then travel domestically to the festival site, a logistical reality that must be factored into any itinerary. Misunderstanding this distinction could lead to major travel and accommodation errors.

• Dates: Thursday, July 31 – Saturday, August 2, 2025.⁴
• Genre & Scale: Let It Roll is unequivocally the world’s largest Drum and Bass festival. It is a massive, immersive event that attracts a die-hard international following, transforming the Lake Most area into a global nexus for the genre’s culture.⁶
• Headliners: The 2025 lineup represents a who’s who of the drum and bass world, featuring titans of the genre such as A.M.C, Andy C, Camo & Krooked, Dimension, Hedex, Koven, Netsky, Sub Focus, and Wilkinson.⁴
• Tickets & Experience: Tickets are sold via the official festival website (letitroll.eu). Camping is an integral part of the festival experience, with various options available to accommodate the thousands of attendees who make the multi-day journey.⁴

B. Electronic Music in the City

While Let It Roll is the main event, Prague’s own clubs and venues host a steady stream of electronic artists throughout the summer. The scene is diverse, catering to fans of various subgenres. Notable performances for summer 2025 include trance DJ Gareth Emery at Epic Prague and a live outdoor set from melodic house artist Jan Blomqvist at the Křižíkova Fontána.⁴⁸ For those interested in more experimental and avant-garde electronic sounds, it is worth noting that the acclaimed

Lunchmeat Festival takes place in September, showcasing the city’s commitment to the genre beyond the summer season.⁵⁰

Prague in Motion: A Celebration of Dance

The term “dance festival” in Prague encompasses a broad and varied spectrum of events, each with a distinct focus and audience. To navigate this scene effectively, it is crucial to differentiate between the offerings, which range from avant-garde contemporary performance and traditional folk showcases to international dance competitions. This diversity ensures that any visitor with an interest in the art of movement can find an event that resonates with their tastes.

A. Tanec Praha: The Contemporary Stage

• Dates: June 1 – June 26, 2025.⁵¹
• Concept: Now in its 37th edition, Tanec Praha is the Czech Republic’s premier international festival of contemporary dance and movement theatre. It is a showcase for cutting-edge choreography and performance art from around the world, fostering a dialogue between Czech and international artists.⁵¹
• Venues: The festival utilizes a mix of dedicated dance venues and unconventional spaces. The main Prague program is centered at the PONEC Theatre, but performances also spill out into open-air locations like WPP Vltavská. Tanec Praha also has a significant regional footprint, with events in over a dozen other Czech cities.⁵¹
• Program: The 2025 program is rich and international, featuring performances by acclaimed artists and companies such as Idio Chichava (Mozambique), Amala Dianor (France/Senegal), Emanuel Gat (France), and Cherish Menzo (Netherlands). The festival is complemented by an accompanying program of workshops, artist talks, and discussions, offering deeper engagement with the creative process.⁵¹

B. New Prague Dance Festival: The Competitive Platform

• Dates: Summer 2025. While specific dates are not provided in the available materials, the invitation for the 29th edition is explicitly for the summer of 2025.⁵³
• Concept: This event is an international festival and competition primarily for private and amateur dance schools, groups, and institutions. It provides a platform for young dancers to showcase their work, compete for prizes, and experience performing in a professional theatre setting in Prague.⁵³
• Genres: The competition is multi-disciplinary, encompassing a wide array of styles including classical dance, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and folk dance.⁵³

C. Other Dance Events

• International Folk Dance and Music Festival “Dancing in Prague”: As detailed in the previous section, this festival from July 29 to August 1, 2025, focuses specifically on the presentation of traditional folk dances from around the world.⁴⁶
• Prague Salsa Marathon: Occurring just after the summer season from September 25-29, 2025, this event is a dedicated social dancing marathon for intermediate and advanced salsa dancers, highlighting another facet of the city’s vibrant dance community.⁵⁴

The Summer Stage: A Venue-by-Venue Guide to Major Concerts

Beyond the structured framework of multi-day festivals, a significant portion of Prague’s summer music scene is composed of high-profile, one-off concerts by major international and local artists. These events take place across the city’s diverse ecosystem of venues, from massive arenas to legendary rock clubs. This section serves as a practical guide to these key locations and their summer 2025 highlights.

Prague Open Air Concert Series

It is important to clarify that Prague Open Air is not a single, unified festival but rather a summer-long series of individual open-air concerts. Running from June 17 to September 20, 2025, this series presents a packed schedule of performances, primarily featuring leading artists from the Czech and Slovak music scenes across genres like rock, pop, and alternative.⁸

• Venues: The series utilizes several unique outdoor locations across Prague, creating a distinct atmosphere for each concert. The 2025 venues include the popular beer garden at Riegrovy sady, the riverside Občanská plovárna, the rooftop Terasa Smíchov, and the new main venue, Areál7 in Holešovice.⁸
• Lineup: The program is a showcase of Czech musical talent, with confirmed 2025 performances from artists such as Vojtěch Dyk, Tomáš Klus, Čechomor, J.A.R., Mňága a Žďorp, and Pražský výběr.⁵⁶

Prague’s Premier Music Venues & 2025 Summer Highlights

Beyond the City Limits: Czech Festivals Worth the Journey

For the dedicated music traveler whose itinerary is not strictly bound by Prague’s city limits, the Czech Republic offers a spectacular array of major festivals that are destinations in their own right. These events are pillars of the European festival calendar and are readily accessible from Prague, making them viable and rewarding additions to a broader musical tour of the region.

• Rock for People
  • Dates: June 11 – 15, 2025
  • Location: Hradec Králové (approx. 1.5-2 hours east of Prague)
  • Genre: Rock, Metal, Punk
  • Overview: Kicking off the Czech festival season in grand style, Rock for People is one of the country’s largest and most established rock festivals. The 2025 lineup is exceptionally strong, featuring powerhouse headliners like heavy metal giants Slipknot, rock legends Guns N’ Roses (with Axl Rose and Slash), and iconic bands Linkin Park and the Sex Pistols.⁸ Its proximity to Prague makes it a popular choice for those looking to experience a massive, field-based rock festival.
• Colours of Ostrava
  • Dates: July 16 – 19, 2025
  • Location: Ostrava (approx. 3-4 hours east of Prague)
  • Genre: Multi-genre (Rock, Pop, Electronic, World, Jazz)
  • Overview: Held in the stunning and unique post-industrial landscape of Dolní Vítkovice, a former ironworks, Colours of Ostrava is a major European cultural event renowned for its eclectic and high-quality programming. The 2025 edition features punk rock legend Iggy Pop, a special collaborative performance by Sting and Shaggy, pop-rock band Snow Patrol, and French electro wizards Justice.⁸ The festival’s unique atmosphere and diverse lineup make it a true highlight of the summer.
• Masters of Rock
  • Dates: July 10 – 13, 2025
  • Location: Vizovice (in the Zlín Region, further east)
  • Genre: Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
  • Overview: As its name suggests, Masters of Rock is a premier destination for fans of heavy metal. The festival consistently brings together leading bands from the global metal scene. The 2025 lineup includes symphonic metal titans Powerwolf, cello metal group Apocalyptica, and a solo project from Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann.¹³
• Brutal Assault
  • Dates: August 6 – 9, 2025
  • Location: Jaroměř (Fortress Josefov, approx. 2 hours east of Prague)
  • Genre: Extreme Metal
  • Overview: Brutal Assault offers one of the most unique festival settings in the world, taking place within the walls of an 18th-century military fortress. It is a pilgrimage site for fans of extreme metal subgenres. The 2025 lineup includes influential acts such as New York hardcore pioneers Agnostic Front and Canadian heavy metal band 3 Inches of Blood.¹³
• Mighty Sounds
  • Dates: June 27 – 29, 2025
  • Location: Tábor (approx. 1.5 hours south of Prague)
  • Genre: Punk, Ska, Hardcore, Reggae
  • Overview: Mighty Sounds is a vibrant festival dedicated to punk, ska, and related genres. Held at an airfield near the historic town of Tábor, it has a loyal following and a high-energy atmosphere. The 2025 edition features Californian punk legends Lagwagon and ska-punk stalwarts Mad Caddies.⁸

Encore: Crafting Your Perfect Prague Music Itinerary

With such a vast and varied program of events, the key to a successful summer music trip to Prague lies in curation. By synthesizing the detailed information on festivals, concerts, and venues, it is possible to craft bespoke itineraries that cater to specific tastes and travel styles. The following samples are designed to serve as inspiration, demonstrating how different elements of Prague’s rich musical tapestry can be woven together into a cohesive and unforgettable journey.

Sample Itinerary 1: A Week of Classical Bliss (Late June)

This itinerary is designed for the classical music connoisseur seeking a deep immersion in Prague’s historic and contemporary offerings.

• Day 1-2: Arrive and settle in. Begin with an accessible yet high-quality evening performance. Attend a concert in a historic venue like the Klementinum’s Mirror Chapel or St. Nicholas Church at the Old Town Square, which frequently feature programs of Vivaldi, Mozart, and Dvořák, providing a perfect atmospheric introduction.³¹
• Day 3: Dedicate the evening to a major ticketed performance. Secure tickets for a Prague Proms event at the magnificent Smetana Hall in the Municipal House, such as the “Hundred Voices” concert on June 25th.¹⁷ This offers the experience of a grand symphonic or choral performance in one of Europe’s finest concert halls.
• Day 4: Explore the future of classical music by attending a public performance by the Prague Summer Nights young artists. Check their schedule for a chamber music showcase at the Rudolfinum’s Suk Hall or an opera rehearsal, offering a behind-the-scenes look at emerging talent.²⁵
• Day 5-6: Explore Prague’s musical history by day, visiting the Dvořák Museum or the Smetana Museum. In the evening, indulge in a unique dinner-and-opera experience, such as the Mozart Dinner in the Boccaccio Ballroom, which combines fine dining with live arias in an opulent setting.³¹ Conclude the week with another intimate church concert, perhaps exploring a different venue like St. Giles or St. Martin in the Wall.³²

Sample Itinerary 2: The Indie & Alternative Explorer (Mid-June)

This itinerary is for the avid music fan who wants to experience a large-scale festival while also diving into Prague’s legendary club scene.

• Day 1 (Wednesday, June 18): Arrive and dive straight into the city’s music culture. Catch a show at an iconic club like Rock Café or the more intimate Café V Lese to get a feel for the local alternative scene.⁴⁸
• Day 2-4 (Thursday, June 19 – Saturday, June 21): The centerpiece of the trip is the three-day Metronome Prague festival at the Výstaviště exhibition grounds. This provides a full festival experience with major international headliners like Alanis Morissette, Rag’n’Bone Man, and The Streets, alongside a strong contingent of Czech artists.¹
• Day 5 (Sunday, June 22): After the intensity of Metronome, take a more relaxed approach. Spend the afternoon recovering and exploring the city. In the evening, consider a concert at a different style of venue, such as Archa+ or Roxy, to see another facet of Prague’s live music offerings.⁴⁸
• Day 6-7: Before departing, broaden the musical palate by attending the Respect Festival (June 14-15, if dates overlap or are adjacent to the trip). This offers a completely different vibe from Metronome, with its focus on world music in the relaxed, open-air setting of Štvanice Island.⁴² This combination provides a comprehensive look at Prague’s contemporary music diversity.

Sample Itinerary 3: The Free-Spirited Music Wanderer (Early July)

This itinerary demonstrates how to experience the vibrant pulse of Prague’s summer music scene on a minimal budget, focusing on free and open-air events.

• Day 1-2: Center the trip around the Bohemia Jazz Festival, which takes over the Old Town Square on July 8th for a full evening of world-class, completely free jazz performances.²
• Day 3: Explore the Prague Open Air concert series. While ticketed, prices are modest, and the series offers a chance to see popular Czech bands in unique outdoor settings like the Občanská plovárna or Areál7.¹² This is an authentic way to experience the music beloved by locals.
• Day 4: Spend the evening at Stalin in Letná Park. This unique, informal cultural space offers not only stunning views of the city but also a regular program of free live music and DJ sets, with craft beer and food available, embodying the city’s laid-back, creative spirit.¹
• Day 5: Discover the city’s spontaneous musical energy. The Praha žije hudbou (Prague Lives Music) festival (June 6-7, if travel dates permit) fills the city center with buskers and street performers. Even outside of this festival, wandering the city center, especially around the Charles Bridge, will often lead to encounters with talented street musicians. This itinerary is about embracing serendipity and the city’s public cultural offerings.

Ultimately, Prague in the summer of 2025 is a city of boundless musical possibilities. Whether your journey is meticulously planned around a single, coveted festival ticket or is a spontaneous exploration of the city’s free-flowing melodies, Prague’s soundscape offers a rich and deeply rewarding experience, solidifying its status as a truly world-class destination for music lovers.