Carnivals

Carnival in Prague is an annual invitation to a world of playful merriment. The streets come alive with masqueraders, musicians, and ancient customs that bring joy, playfulness, and a touch of mystery to the winter days. The 2026 Prague Carnival will offer colorful parades, markets, and feasts—a symbolic farewell to the season of abundance before fasting begins. Enter the whirlwind of festivities, where imagination triumphs over routine and the city is transformed into a scene of joy and sharing.

Masopust represents a period of joy, food, and feasting between two periods of fasting (from Epiphany to Ash Wednesday). Originally, the czech word masopust (carnival) referred to a period when, according to church customs, meat was not eaten, and masopust was used to refer to the period of Easter fasting, or rather pre-Easter fasting. Gradually, however, the word Masopust began to refer to a different part of the year, which has continued to this day. Although it is not a church holiday, the date of Masopust is determined by the date of Easter.

However, it is mainly the last three days that are celebrated:

• February 12, 2026 Fat Thursday
• February 15, 2026 Shrove Sunday (dance)
• February 17, 2026 Shrove Tuesday (masquerade) — the culmination of Shrovetide

Shrovetide traditionally culminated a week before the beginning of Lent with a parade of colorful masqueraders, each of whom had their own specific function and meaning. Their symbolism probably originated in pagan rituals aimed at ensuring a good harvest. Signs of fertility, such as straw or hedgehog skin, were often repeated.

In other European languages, Shrovetide is also referred to as carnival. This word, originally from Italian, means figuratively “farewell to meat” or “leave meat” (carni vale). In terms of its original meaning, carnival means the same as Shrovetide.