PRAGUE - The Matěj Fair will take place at the Prague Exhibition Grounds from February 21st to April 19th, 2026. You can expect a variety of traditional and new attractions from around the world. Enjoy the haunted castle, the house of laughter, shooting ranges, carousels, swings, bouncy castles, rocking boats, and the Loch Ness monster ride. The Matěj Fair is the most famous and popular fair in the Czech Republic, held annually during the spring months at the Prague Exhibition Grounds. You can experience around a hundred domestic and international attractions. There are also adrenaline-pumping attractions from the Netherlands, such as Airborne and SuperMouse.

Among the most popular attractions are the three-story haunted castle, the house of laughter, the 80-meter-high chain carousel, countless swings and bouncy castles, a traditional Czech shooting range, and go-kart tracks. Of course, there will be stalls selling fast food, cotton candy, classic sausages, and langos (a Czech flatbread). A common souvenir from the Matěj Fair is oriental sweets and gingerbread hearts. The selection of fairground goods will also include toys, novelty items, jewelry, and textiles. Clowns and fairytale characters will also add to the entertainment.

A History of the Matěj Fair, Past and PresentThe tradition of the Matěj Fair is documented in the National Library as far back as 1595. Originally, it was held in Hanspaulka, but the space was not sufficient, so the stalls and carousels gradually moved towards Victory Square and later to Hradčany. In 1963, it moved to the area next to Stromovka Park.

Saint Matthew is the patron saint of construction workers, butchers, bakers, blacksmiths, and tailors. People also pray to him to protect them from whooping cough, measles, and infertility. Various traditions have developed around the apostle Matthew. Even today, there are many Matěj Fairs, and in the past, a Matěj coin was also minted. Saint Matthew is also associated with the weather; there is a saying that "Saint Matthew breaks the ice."

This means that this day should be a harbinger of spring. In the past, it was common in the Czech Republic to shake fruit trees on Saint Matthew's Day to encourage a bountiful harvest. In addition, Saint Matthew's Night was used for various predictions. For example, in the evening, ivy leaves were placed in a bowl of water. If a leaf softened by morning, it was a sign of illness in the family. More information here

kudyznudy.cz/gnews.cz-jav