Kick Off the New Season with the Beltain Festival: Celts in Nizbor Show You How to Beat Boredom!

In addition to the Fire and Spring Festival, visitors can also enjoy a celebration of music and Celtic crafts during the last weekend of April in Nizbor. This festival, known as Beltaine, also spelled Beltain or Beltane, is one of the most significant and largest Celtic celebrations. Traditionally, it takes place at night between April 30 and May 1, but in Nizbor, the festivities kick off on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Originally, Beltaine was celebrated the night before the second full moon after the spring equinox, but its current timing is set to 40 days after the vernal equinox. For the Celts, this holiday marks the beginning of the “bright” half of the year, a time when nature awakens, vitality returns, everything blooms, and the sun’s rays invigorate our senses, giving us new energy. According to Celtic lore, Beltain is linked to the goddess Rhiannon.

The festivities will commence at Nižbor Castle on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at noon. A captivating and diverse program is arranged for all ages. Brave warriors from the Beard Tribe will demonstrate their martial arts, and women will showcase their impressive craftsmanship. Visitors will have the chance to learn about traditional Celtic crafts, witness a sword fighting demonstration, and enjoy a children’s favorite: a battle with the Romans. A festival wouldn’t be complete without delicious food and beverages.

Music and Dance Program

The program will kick off with a vibrant march by the bagpipe band Blue Squadron Pipe Band. In the afternoon, the band Lua will perform alongside Malemirish. The evening will come alive with dynamic Celtic rock from Happy to Meet. Attendees will be able to watch the energetic dancers from Wild Irishman and even try dancing alongside them. The night will conclude with an exciting fire show.
The Beltain festivities at the castle in Nizbor are being organized by the Institute of Archaeological Heritage Care, which is welcoming the 2025 visitor season with this event. Archaeologists are extending an invitation to explore the permanent exhibition titled Celts in the Heart of Bohemia and its preceding historical context, as well as the exhibition Coinage of the Celts in the Heart of Europe. Guided tours of the exhibitions will be available for inquisitive visitors at the Celtic Culture Information Centre.

Everyday Life of the Celts Exhibit at Nižbor Castle

The Celtic exhibition spans a corridor and three distinct rooms, arranged into four thematic sections. In the corridor, visitors will find aerial images and details about our oppid, with three notable sites (Stradonice, Závist u Zbraslavi, and Hrazany) located close to one another to the west of Prague. One part of the corridor features a striking corner where the skeleton of a man and a recreated figure lie side by side, illustrating how the deceased might have appeared. Another area resembles a Celtic dwelling. The final room provides insights into the daily life of the Celts, covering aspects like their craftsmanship, how they extracted and utilized raw materials, their lifestyles, and professions. Newly added educational components enhance the exhibit, which now allows visitors to construct a replica of a prehistoric vessel using a 3D printer provided by Průša lab. Additionally, a popular archaeological game lets visitors uncover skeletal remains at any time and in any weather conditions.

Another exhibition titled Celtic Coinage in the Heart of Europe has been curated by the prominent expert doc. PhDr. Jiří Militký, Ph.D., who is known for his work in numismatics and archaeology. This exhibition is clearly organized into different eras, tracing the evolution of coinage in the Czech Republic from its inception to its peak. A dedicated section highlights coins and minting at the nearby oppidum Stradonice, where these coins were produced and later circulated throughout Celtic Europe.

The significance of the Beltain festival centers on the celebration of the new agricultural year, which includes the herding of livestock to their pastures and the lighting of bonfires. Jumping over the fire symbolizes the purification of the soul and prepares participants for the new year. Thus, the festival encourages joy through dancing, singing, and merriment. In Nizbor, you have a special opportunity to celebrate this occasion surrounded by music and rich Celtic traditions.

Beltain Celebration at Nižbor Castl

What Is Beltain?

Beltain (also “Beltane”) is an ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of the bright half of the year—when nature awakens, life returns, and communities gather to celebrate renewal and growth.

Event Highlights

• Music & Dance Performances
  Traditional Celtic tunes and folk dances throughout the day, performed by regional ensembles.

• Martial Arts Displays
  Demonstrations of Celtic-inspired combat techniques and period weaponry.

• Crafts & Exhibition
  – Explore daily life in Celtic culture, from clothing and food to religious rituals.
  – View archaeological finds unearthed in Bohemia.
  – Meet artisans showcasing traditional techniques in pottery, weaving, and metalwork.

• Interactive 3D-Printing Activity
  Assemble your own replica Celtic vessel on a 3D printer—learn both ancient design and modern technology.

• Children’s Corner
  – Simulated battles with “Roman soldiers” in safe, supervised skirmishes.
  – Hands-on craft stations: make your own torc or decorated animal figurine.

• Fire Show & Ritual
  As dusk falls, watch a spectacular fire performance.
  Join in the age-old tradition of jumping over the flames—a symbolic cleansing ritual to prepare for the new year and to welcome the season’s warmth.

Myth & Meaning

• Goddess Rhiannon
  In Celtic lore, Rhiannon is associated with horses, sovereignty, and the Otherworld. Her spirit is honored during Beltain as protector of the land’s renewal and fertility.

• Fire Jumping
  Leaping over the bonfire’s embers symbolizes purification of the heart and spirit, casting off the old to embrace the bright half of the year.

Organizer & Curator

Institute of Archaeological Preservation
Curated by doc. PhDr. Jiří Militký, renowned specialist in numismatics and archaeology, ensuring both scholarly insight and engaging presentation.