Unmissable Gastro Events and Beer & Wine Festivals in May
Asparagus Takes Center Stage
In Moravia, the town of Ivančice will celebrate asparagus during the **30th annual Celebration of Asparagus and Wine**. This festive event is scheduled for the **weekend of May 16-18**, where visitors can delight in tasting at least **30 different asparagus dishes**. You’ll also find winemakers showcasing their offerings in the town hall courtyard. A vibrant cultural program, along with activities for children, is promised. On **Sunday, May 18**, you can even catch a special ride on a historic train from Brno to Ivančice. The journey will be powered by the steam locomotive Velký Bejček and will feature historic Rybák-type third-class carriages along with a buffet car. Throughout the day, there will be two trips back and forth from Brno to Ivančice.
Fresh asparagus from the Hostíno farm, located near Vojkovice in the Mělník region, will be available for purchase throughout the asparagus season, **until June 30**. They are open every day from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. Hostíno’s growers are unique in the Czech Republic for their large-scale asparagus farming. Other vegetable farmers often avoid this crop due to its challenges; it takes approximately three years for the seedlings to mature and they require a considerable amount of careful manual labor.
Culinary Celebration in Honor of Czech Cuisine’s Pioneer in Litomyšl
On the weekend of 24 – 25 May, food enthusiasts will gather in Litomyšl alongside chefs, modern gastronomy experts, and quality food producers to honor Magdalena Dobromila Rettigová, a key figure in Czech cuisine. At Smetana Square, the **Gastroslavnosti** will host competitions, including those for the best **goulash**, **paradise**, and **cake**. You will have the opportunity to enjoy gourmet foie gras, grilled dishes, mixed beverages, homemade ice cream, hot potato pancakes, sweet and savory pancakes, stuffed Slovak pierogi, bubble waffles topped with ice cream, and more **award-winning regional delicacies**. There will also be cooking demonstrations and a cultural program, among other attractions. Don’t miss out on this festival dedicated to delicious food and drink! This year’s theme is “**Doll on a Free Theme**” in the kitchen! Don’t forget to check out the **Neighborhood Goose** event held outdoors on Sunday!
Street Food Meets Local Cuisine
Burger Street Festival Ostrava will be featuring outstanding burgers at the Forum Nová Karolina shopping center from **May 16 to 18**! If you’re a fan of global **street food**, don’t miss the 3rd edition of the **Street Food Festival in Kdyně** on **Saturday, May 17**, where you can taste classic Indonesian dishes and explore African cuisines. Spicy pljeskavica, chili-infused delights, and even insect delicacies will be available to try. That same Saturday, the **Food Festival in Kadani** will showcase tastings from renowned chefs and demonstrations of various world cuisines. Attendees can expect a delightful menu with quality coffee, French dishes, crispy macarons, a variety of burgers, Latin-American cuisines, Italian prosecco, sweet desserts, numerous types of strudels, and top-notch beer and wine. There’s something for everyone, and every palate will find satisfaction.
On the weekend of **May 24 and 25**, prepare for the **Food Day Festival in Mnichovo Hradiště**, featuring 30 stalls with dishes from around the world. The **Street Food Festival in Počátky** on **Sunday, May 25**, will present the finest street food from across the globe! Try out a diverse range of specialties, including jerked meats, juicy burgers, Asian dishes, dried worms, and Indonesian flavors. The **GastroFestival in Kutná Hora** on **Saturday, May 31**, will focus on **organic food** and culinary products made from it. Additionally, you can savor selected specialties from international cuisines, intriguing menus, and sweet treats, alongside local beer and wine from various winemakers. Expect to find authentic local food and products from nearby producers. The day will feature **thematic production demonstrations**, dish preparations, talks, upbeat music, and creative workshops for children.
Exciting Prima Fresh Festivals
In May, you can also experience the colorful **Prima Fresh Festivals**. They will take place from **May 24 to 25 in Pilsen**, **May 31 to June 1 in Brno**, **June 14 to 15 in Kroměříž**, and **June 21 to 22 in Pardubice**. Following the great success of last year’s festival, you can look forward to legendary Czech restaurants, top Czech chefs, and culinary stars once again. The gastronomic adventure will be complemented by **street food vendors**, **local businesses**, and specific tasting zones and workshops for coffee, beer, or wine enthusiasts. Additionally, you will find delicious dishes that have received the prestigious **Great Taste** brand, often referred to as the culinary Oscar. This year, the festival introduces a **new wine zone**, showcasing an outstanding selection of Czech and international wines, complete with guided tastings and wine pairings.
Recommendations for Beer Aficionados
On **Saturday, May 17**, the **4th annual Beer Wellbeing Festival** will take place in Přelouč. Expect to enjoy craft beers from 7 different breweries, tasty street food, and live music. Then, on **Sunday, May 18**, head to Karlínské náměstí in Prague for the **Beer and Burger Festival**, where you can savor delicious beers and burgers.
The rich variety of gastronomic festivities wouldn’t be complete without beer. For all beer lovers, the invitation for the **4th annual Moravian Beer Opening**, which occurs from **May 16 to 17** at the Flora Exhibition Centre in Olomouc, should not be missed. Expect to find a vast selection of the best Moravian beers, informative lectures from experts, tastings, and grilled dishes and cheeses. An expert panel will choose the best beers across four distinct categories.
On **Saturday, May 24**, a fun program awaits at the **National Brewing Museum** in Kostelec nad Černými lesy for the **13th Beer Festival Vysmolení** event. Attendees can enjoy special brewery tours, demonstrations on repairing wooden barrels, sign burning, and washing, along with live music and local beers such as 10% Dešt’offka pale draught, 11% light lager, 12% Vyppaná otter pale lager, 13% dark special Black Swine, and 15% Medokostelecké. Look forward to a special beer brewing demonstration showcasing the creation of a **unique batch of smoked beer** on an open fire!
Don’t miss the upcoming events on **May 24 and 25**, with the **Beer Festival in Blansko** or the **Beer Festival in Řevnice**. For beer enthusiasts, **Saturday, May 31** brings the **3rd edition of Beerfood** festival to **Újezd nad Lesy**, featuring over 30 beer specialties from small breweries nationwide.
Prefer Wine Over Beer?
On **Saturday, May 17**, the **Wine Festival** returns for its second year in Strakonice. Winemakers from various wine-growing areas of Bohemia and Moravia will gather in the beautiful Panská zahrada to showcase the best of their current offerings.
Around 25 winemakers, mostly from Moravia, will be present at Rašínovo nábřeží in Prague to share delightful rosé wines paired with complementary delicacies. The **Pink May Festival** kicks off on **Saturday, May 17** at 10 a.m.
On **Saturday, May 24**, make your way to Domažlice for the inaugural **Wine Festival**. Here, winemakers from different regions of Bohemia and Moravia will gather in the center of Chodsko to present some of their finest productions. The event will feature a food section offering various dishes and drinks that pair well with wine and a rich cultural program.
Ending with Coffee
On Sunday, May 25, the entire area around DEPO2015 in the Pilsen Creative Zone will be filled with the aroma of coffee from around the globe. The **Lógr Festival** will take visitors through the entire coffee journey, from growing coffee beans, through preparation, to tasting. Attendees will learn how to identify high-quality coffee and prepare it like a professional barista.
