At the beginning of October, Plzeň once again transforms into a mecca for beer lovers: the traditional Pilsner Fest features international beers, brewery tours, and live music.
On Saturday, 4 October, the centre of Plzeň will once again become a haven for beer enthusiasts: the traditional Pilsner Fest returns this year to the heart of the city – on the Republic Square and in the Šafařík Gardens. Visitors can expect a varied programme with special beer experiences, brewery tours, and live music. As every year, the highlight is the traditional communal toast at 18:42.
This year’s festival is dedicated to the international success story of Pilsner beer. On 5 October 1842, Josef Groll brewed the first batch at the new Bürger Hospital Brewery, laying the foundation for a global classic that continues to inspire around 70 per cent of worldwide beer production today.
Six Continents, One Taste
The festival features six themed stands, each dedicated to a continent. Each stand pairs Pilsner Urquell with local cuisine and demonstrates how the brand resonates worldwide. In the international zone, visitors can sample beers from master bartenders from Slovakia, Sweden, Norway, England, Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Japan. In total, dozens of experienced bartenders across more than 90 taps on the festival site will ensure the finest Pilsner Urquell.
The highlight of the festival is once again the communal toast at 18:42 – in remembrance of the year of the first Pilsner batch. Brewery representatives will tap a cask of unfiltered beer alongside guests. This historic moment is enhanced by a countdown projected onto St Bartholomew’s Cathedral in the city centre with a laser display.
“The Pilsner Fest is a celebration of Pilsner beer and Czech beer culture. Visitors have the chance to experience the history and present of our beer, meet the people behind it, and raise a glass to another 183 years of Pilsner,” says Václav Šimek, Manager of the Pilsner Brewery.
The festival draws tens of thousands of beer fans each year and is one of the cultural highlights of the region. “The traditional Pilsner Fest shows that Plzeň is the beer capital of the Czech Republic. For this year’s edition, we were happy to make Republic Square available again – a more than worthy venue for the celebrations. I warmly welcome all beer enthusiasts and patriots,” says Plzeň Mayor Roman Zarzycký.
Pilsner Fest 2025: 183 Years of Pilsner Urquell
4 October 2025 | Republic Square and Šafařík Gardens, Plzeň
Webseite | Facebook | Instagram
