St. John's Festival NAVALIS 2026

Also in the year 2026 another edition of the NAVALIS Saint John's Festival will take place - already its 18th edition. As in previous years, we are maintaining the traditional structure of the event, while varying the musical program and the diversity of participants, including foreign boaters and their vessels.

The NAVALIS Festival has historically been one of the largest gatherings of Czechs in Prague. The aim of the renewed festivities is to bring the spiritual message of St. John of Nepomuk closer to the general public and at the same time to remind residents and visitors from abroad of the beauty and importance of the metropolis of the Czech Republic.

The allegorically decorated boats are an essential part of the festivities. The inspiration for these grand water celebrations is Italian Venice. Every year we invite Venetian gondoliers to Prague, as well as boat builders from Austria, Germany and Croatia, who add to the unique atmosphere of the festivities. This connection has a deeper meaning - St. John of Nepomuk is the patron of the city of Venice and the protector of the local gondoliers.

During the festivities, you will see not only classic gondolas, but also the unique historic Venice boats Bissona Praga- Nepomuceno and the beautifully decorated sailing ships of the Association Vela al Terzo Venezia.

Festival programme

Thursday 14 May
14:00 - 17:00 Venetian Afternoon at Herget's BrickworksFriday

15 May
14:30 - Festive decorating of horses (Hradčanské náměstí)
16:30 - Blessing of riders, horses and pilgrims (Hradčanské náměstí)
17:30 - Festive Holy Mass in the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Vojtěch and Wenceslas
19:00 - St. John's Day procession on Charles Bridge 19:45 - Regatta of boats, parachute jump, sailing of hardy people (Charles Bridge) 20:00 - Devotion in the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on Křižovnice Square
20:30 - Concert on the water

More information here: www.navalis.cz