Prague’s Matějská Pouť 2026 to Open at Výstaviště on 21 February

Prague’s oldest funfair, the Matějská Pouť, draws thousands of visitors to Holešovice each year. More than one hundred attractions, rides and stalls provide entertainment for young and old alike, making the fair one of the first highlights of the spring in the Czech Republic’s capital.

The traditional Matějská Pouť, Prague’s best-known fair, whose history began more than 430 years ago, will open this year on Saturday, 21 February, at the Prague Exhibition Grounds.

This year, visitors can look forward to around one hundred Czech and international attractions. The price for the most expensive rides will be around 200 crowns, as in the previous year. The main entrance will be from U Výstaviště Street. The Matějská Pouť will run until 19 April this year.

On Monday, 16 March, a special day for children with disabilities will take place. The annual event is open free of charge to all visitors with disabilities upon presentation of a valid disability ID card or a TP, ZTP or ZTP/P card. Between 11:00 and 14:00, all attractions will also be available to children free of charge.

Foto: Kudy z nudy

Matějská Pouť – More Than 430 Years of Tradition Celebrating Saint Matthew

The tradition of the Matějská Pouť has been documented in the National Library since 1595. Originally, it was held in Hanspaulka, but the area proved too small, and the stalls and rides were gradually moved to Victory Square (Vítězné náměstí) and later to Hradčany. In 1963, the fair finally relocated near Stromovka Park, at today’s exhibition grounds.

Saint Matthew (Matěj) is the patron saint of craftsmen, butchers, confectioners, blacksmiths and tailors. Over time, various customs have developed around Saint Matthew. Even today, numerous Saint Matthew fairs take place, and in the past a Saint Matthew coin was even minted. Saint Matthew is also associated with the weather, as reflected in the saying: “Saint Matthew breaks the ice.” This means that the day is considered a harbinger of spring. In the past, it was customary in the Czech Republic to shake fruit trees on Saint Matthew’s Day, 24 February (svátek svatého Matěje), so that they would bear abundant fruit.

Matějská Pouť 2026
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Výstaviště Praha Holešovice, Prague 7
21 February to 19 April 2026

Admission:

• On weekdays, admission to the Matějská Pouť is free

• Weekends / public holidays: 30 CZK admission
  
  

Opening hours:

• Monday: closed

• Tuesday – Friday: 13:00 – 21:00

• Saturday, Sunday, public holidays: 10:00 – 22:00

• Public holidays and Easter: daily 10:00 – 22:00
  
  

Getting there:

• Tram lines 1, 6, 17, 25 – Výstaviště stop

• Metro line C – Nádraží Holešovice station