Explore 9 Sustainable Czech Festivals in 2025: Your Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Fun!

United Islands: The First Flare of Festival Summer

This year kicks off the festival season with the inaugural sustainable event, United Islands of Prague. Set to unfold in Prague from May 1 to 3, the festival is completely free of charge. Planned as an eco-conscious gathering, it integrates the core principles of economic, social, environmental, and cultural sustainability. Attendees can expect to enjoy green energy, savor organic quality vegetarian and vegan refreshments, and engage in efforts promoting zero packaging. The festival wholeheartedly commits to offsetting its carbon footprint and supporting sustainable transport. To enhance its eco-friendly approach, rainwater is utilized and compostable toilets are made available. Waste sorting, returnable cups, and collaborations with bikesharing services firmly establish this festival on the path toward becoming a cornerstone of sustainable cultural events in 2025!

Zlín Film Festival: A Celebration for Children and Youth

Kicking off in early June, Baťa’s Zlín in Moravia will host the 65th edition of a film festival, recognized as one of the oldest and most significant of its kind globally. Every year, the event draws over 120,000 attendees of diverse ages. With a mission to educate young audiences and expand their understanding of the world, the festival prioritizes sustainability. This year, it continues its commitment by actively planting trees and promoting a sustainable ethos for our planet.

Rock for People: Environmental Beats and Iconic Bands

Taking place near the picturesque city of Hradec Králové from June 11 to 15, this festival guarantees an extraordinary lineup featuring stellar bands like Slipknot, Linkin Park, Sex Pistols, and Guns N’ Roses, all while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. Emphasizing sustainability beyond mere rhetoric, this beloved festival introduces the Solar Stage, which runs entirely on solar energy, as well as another stage powered by an innovative hydrogen system. Further, the festival has formed partnerships with local farms to broaden its selection of vegetarian and vegan dining options. Although Czech laws have yet to mandate it, the festival implements a deposit on returnable PET bottles and aluminum cans.

A newly developed green area, PlayStation Park Horizon, featuring lush greenery, has been integrated into the festival grounds. Special programs designed for seniors also highlight the festival’s social commitment. In 2025, the festival earned the prestigious Sustainability Hero Award in Brussels at the SME EnterPRIZE environmental competition.

Colours of Ostrava: A Fully Accessible Festival

The much-anticipated multi-genre summer festival in Ostrava, running from July 16 to 19, takes significant strides toward reducing waste and minimizing its carbon footprint. What sets this festival apart is its commitment to accessibility; since 2011, it has ensured that all visitors with disabilities can fully enjoy the event. Annually, roughly 1,000 individuals with visual, hearing, and mobility impairments, including those with autism spectrum disorders, participate. Attendees can reserve parking and seating in dedicated areas, while the hearing-impaired community benefits from concerts translated into Czech sign language. In essence, the festival is a welcoming space for everyone.

Let it Roll: A Green Haven for Electronic Music Lovers

The renowned drum and bass festival will captivate electronic music enthusiasts from July 31 to August 2 at Lake Most in northern Bohemia. This year, the Let it Roll organizers have reaffirmed their commitment to ecological initiatives with the Rollin’ Green project. At designated green stations, attendees will sort not just paper and plastic, but also aluminum, bio-waste, and food scraps. Dining will take place on biodegradable plates crafted from palm leaves, and utensils made from renewable materials that are compostable post-use.

Prague Pride: A Focus on Social and Environmental Sustainability

The summer season wouldn’t feel complete without the Prague Pride festival, a vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ themes and social equality that also welcomes the general public. Scheduled for July 28 to August 3, the festivities will unfold across numerous venues in central Prague. Once again, the festival aims to highlight the use of local ingredients and eco-friendly packaging options. Efforts are in place to minimize printed materials, and the festival partners with the art re use project to further their sustainable mission.

Ji.hlava: A Festival That Leads by Example

Another remarkable environmentally-conscious event is the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, scheduled for its 29th edition from October 24 to November 2. The festival’s catering is entirely vegetarian, with ingredients sourced from local suppliers, primarily from the Vysočina region. They strive to reduce printed materials and favor public transport and bike-sharing solutions whenever possible. Essentially, embracing a sustainable lifestyle is about taking collective responsibility and not living at the expense of our fellow Earthlings and future generations, which embodies the Ji.hlava festival’s motto!

Beats for Love: A Festival with a Charitable Heart

The largest electronic dance music festival in Czechia and Slovakia, Beats for Love, takes place from July 2 to 5 at the historic Dolní Vítkovice site in Ostrava. Attendees can immerse themselves in four days of music, entertainment, and a uniquely captivating atmosphere amidst the backdrop of former ironworks. The festival also embraces charitable initiatives through its Beats for Charity project, which supports local charitable organizations and individuals going through tough times.

Karlovy Vary Folklore Festival: A Celebration of Culture and Responsibility

This annual multi-day event featuring traditional costumes and performances by folklore ensembles from Czechia and various countries will take place at different venues in Karlovy Vary from September 3 to 7. However, this festival stands out as more than a mere celebration of folk heritage—it’s also a testament to social responsibility and a sustainable ethos. Encouraging intercultural dialogue, promoting the integration of minorities, and fostering community cooperation is at its core. The festival maintains long-term partnerships with charitable organizations, regularly donating a portion of its proceeds to charitable causes. Local associations and volunteers play an active role in organizing the event, strengthening community ties and preserving the cultural heritage of the entire region.