Understand Prague’s Fun Fair: Don’t Miss Last Chance to Enjoy

The annual Matějská pouť funfair in Prague opened this year’s season on February 24, 2024, and will end the show on Sunday, April, 14. The fairground is at Výstaviště Exhibition Grounds and runs Tuesday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Over weekends it opens from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is free during weekdays but weekends attract a charge while rides cost an extra fee.

The Funfair Has Come a Long Way

Matějská pouť funfair in Prague traces its origins to the St. Matthew’s Pilgrimage in 1595. Rudolph II reigned in Prague at the time and Pope Clement VIII was charged with overseeing forgiveness of temporal punishments for sins given to pilgrims. This religious festival involved fairs where items and souvenirs were offered. At the time, the pilgrimage fair was near the former St. Matej church in Prague’s Hanspaulka area, where a news structure sits presently.

Moreover, the pilgrimage route kept shifting over time, thus the fair remained on the move as well. At some point, it was at the Hradčanská metro station area. From the 1950s up to the ’60s, festivities took place within Letná, Modřany, and Břevnov regions. In 1963, the celebrations shifted to the Prague Exhibition Grounds in Holešovice, and have remained in the location since then.

The oldest attractions to the funfair were the Cyklon roller coaster and the 1981 Ferris wheel which remained as the fair’s highlights until 2018. A Dutch Ferris wheel is now the replacement of these original attractions.

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You Can Enjoy up to 100 Attractions

Visitors to the funfair have the choice of at least 100 attractions to indulge in the modern day. Diverse preferences are taken care of including, adrenaline thrillers, water, and shooting activities among others.

Adrenaline junkies can head to the Dutch Airborne, Super Mouse roller coaster, Booster centrifuge, and the Bungee Catapult for a thrill. Bouncy castles and merry-go-rounds will be handy for children. There are also haunted castles, motion simulators, bumper cars, a shooting range, and much more to explore diverse interests.

The funfair also caters to societal minority groups in different ways. Such as organizing a special children’s day for handicapped or asylum home children. This year, they held a special children’s event in March and combined it with a Křižík’s Fountain concert that featured celebrity guests.

Part of the fun extends to exhibitions held within the same grounds of the fair. This year’s show has the Bond in Motion display showcasing James Bond’s cars and other props.

Besides the activities, visitors can enjoy different refreshments within the grounds. You can find snacks like gingerbread, cotton candy on a stick or bucket, hot dogs, fries, sausages, lemonades, beer, and more foods and drinks.

This fun fair marks the start of the spring season. Linked with Czech mythology, Matthew is associated with the weather. The fun has not come without challenges, last year animal rights activists, held protests against the pony rides. This year, no horses were featured in the festivities.

Admissions during weekdays are free with a CZK 30 entry fee charge during this year’s season over weekends. Children under 120 cm enjoy free entry. Visitors are reminded to be aware that rides cost an extra charge. Tickets are available at any of the entrances to the fairgrounds or on the Matějská pouť website. More details about the activities can also be found on the fair’s website.