"Showing what Pardubice gingerbread is worth" is something you can recite in your sleep. But the image of a sleepy little gingerbread town falls apart the moment you discover this: on the edge of the city, a hockey arena is rising that could, once completed, be the largest in the world. The arena is designed to hold 22,296 hockey fans, which could make it the largest hockey arena in the world, and for concerts its capacity would increase to as many as 26,000 visitors. That is a number few venues in the country can boast today. Anyone looking for the best events in Pardubice will encounter exactly this duality: sweet comfort and the calm of the Elbe river on one side, real boldness and speed on the other.

Pardubice is not just about honey and spices. The local steeplechase is the oldest on the continent, the speedway track in Svítkov is the oldest in the world, and the suburb of Semtín was once the birthplace of the notorious plastic explosive. In the following guide we will lay it all out so you can navigate the Pardubice programme like a local: where things happen, what is worth keeping an eye on, and where to buy a ticket before it sells out.

Best events in Pardubice: where it all actually happens

Cultural and sporting life revolves around a few constants. Major concerts and shows are hosted by Enteria arena, classical music and drama have their own smaller halls, and the most precious events take place outdoors at the racecourse and in Svítkov. If you want to catch the best events in Pardubice in time, keep an eye on exactly these addresses.

Pardubice is not a big city, and that is precisely its advantage. The venues are close to one another and the programme does not overlap to the point where you have to choose between five things at once. The largest indoor space is clear: Enteria arena is a sports hall in Pardubice that hosts a large number of sporting and social events. Alongside it, the city maintains more intimate venues for drama, symphonic and chamber concerts, and entertainment shows that you can walk to from the centre in just a few minutes. A comprehensive overview of what is coming up where is kept together in our events calendar.

To sum it up: a concert giant on one side, intimate halls and a theatre in the middle, and outdoor sporting celebrations as the cherry on top. Each of those venues draws a slightly different audience, which is exactly why even someone who comes for just one day rarely gets bored in Pardubice.

Enteria arena: major concerts and a huge new venue on the horizon

Enteria arena is the largest indoor hall in the city and transforms from a hockey stadium into a concert venue within a matter of hours. In a few years it will also be replaced by a brand-new arena of unprecedented size.

The home of hockey club Dynamo, the space can be quickly reconfigured thanks to rental arrangements. Besides the ice rink, which also serves for public skating, the hockey arena can be turned into a concert or sports hall in no time at all. It is not a small room for a few hundred people. With a seating capacity of 10,088, it is the third largest hockey arena in the Czech Republic. The sound system and facilities keep pace with European arenas, and there is a practical bonus that many visitors overlook: the building has its own car park with a capacity of around 350 spaces. Getting here is straightforward whether you come by car or public transport.

More interesting than the present, however, is the future. Just a short distance from the existing hall, construction has begun on a project that not long ago was spoken of as a megalomaniac dream. The multifunctional hockey arena is set to be built as part of the new Nová Cihelna district and was originally designed for more than 15,000 spectators. The actual figures, however, have pushed it into a completely different league. In mid-2026, construction of a new arena with a capacity of more than 22,000 people is due to begin for HC Dynamo Pardubice, with the opening planned for 2028. Once it is finished, Pardubice will join the ranks of places that can accommodate even the biggest world tours. Until then, major concerts and shows remain the domain of the existing Enteria. You can keep track of everything happening across the country through our concerts hub.

Velká pardubická: the oldest steeplechase on the continent and the dreaded Taxis

The most famous event in Pardubice takes place in no hall at all. The Velká pardubická is the oldest and most demanding cross-country steeplechase on the continent, and its fourth obstacle, the Taxis ditch, is one of the most feared jumps in the world.

The racing tradition here has deep roots. The racecourse on which the race now takes place was founded as far back as 1856. And the race itself? The Velká pardubická is a cross-country steeplechase that has been run in Pardubice since 1874 and takes place every year on the second Sunday in October. It is no walk in the park. The course of the Velká pardubická is 6,900 metres long and the horses must clear a total of 31 obstacles.

At the heart of the entire race is a single obstacle that is talked about all year long. The Great Taxis Ditch is the fourth obstacle on the course and at the same time its most famous jump, named after Prince Egon Thurn-Taxis; it is the only obstacle on the racecourse that is jumped just once a year and in a single race. That is precisely why silence falls over the grandstands before it. The Taxis Ditch is one of the most difficult jumps in the world. The legend of its origin is one of the finest stories Czech sporting history has to offer: after the first edition, there were disputes about whether to remove the dangerous obstacle, and Prince Thurn-Taxis reportedly silenced his opponents by saying that none of them would ever jump it again anyway. It stayed, and to this day it bears his name.

The race also gave the city one of its most enduring sporting legends. The most successful rider in the history of the Velká pardubická is Josef Váňa, who won the race eight times. Always check the exact dates and the entry list for a specific edition on the official racecourse website, as the programme varies from year to year and we do not include it in our calendar.

Zlatá přilba: the oldest speedway track in the world

The second great Pardubice celebration roars with engines. Zlatá přilba is the oldest regularly held speedway race in the world and every autumn draws more than ten thousand spectators to Svítkov.

The history stretches back to the late 1920s. Zlatá přilba is an annual motorcycle speedway race in the Pardubice district of Svítkov and is the oldest speedway race in the world. The first edition, however, was not held where it is today. The first Zlatá přilba was held in 1929, originally at the horse racing track on a grass surface, and since 1964 the race has taken place at the current stadium in Svítkov. Since then, the absolute elite have been coming here.

Anyone who has never seen speedway live will struggle to picture what it involves. Riders hurtle around the oval at nearly 100 kilometres per hour on specially built machines that have no brakes. No shock absorbers, no margin for error. The roll of honour includes names such as Danish record-holder Ole Olsen with seven victories, or Czech rider Jiří Štancl. As with the horse racing: look for the exact date and advance tickets with the organiser, not through secondary sources.

Gingerbread, festivals and open-air markets

Not every great event requires a ticket. Around Pardubice gingerbread, a whole range of festivals and markets has grown up where you can bring the whole family and where you pay at most for a tasting.

Gingerbread here is not a marketing label but a protected heritage. Since 27 February 2008, "Pardubice gingerbread" has been designated a protected geographical indication and may only be produced and packaged within the territory of Pardubice, following a precisely defined recipe. The tradition is watched over by an association of craftspeople. In 2004, the Pardubice Gingerbread Association was founded, placing emphasis on adherence to production methods and the promotion of Pardubice gingerbread. The roots go much deeper than one might expect. The tradition of gingerbread production in Pardubice dates back to the 16th century, the first mention of a gingerbread maker comes from 1515, and Maria Theresa confirmed Pardubice's right to produce gingerbread in 1756.

The famous treat's present-day form was shaped by industrial production. The first true gingerbread factory was the production facility of the Melartos company, founded in 1913. And that this is a craft of world-class standing is demonstrated by one charming story: Pardubice baker Josef Janoš once made a large gingerbread heart for the world exhibition in Brussels and caught the attention of the Belgian queen with it. Around this sweet identity, festivals and markets have sprung up. You can explore the history, story and present-day form of gingerbread at the Gingerbread Festival, which is held in Pardubice every year in spring. Add to that the student Majáles celebration, summer festivals and markets, and you have a full calendar of events where you do not need to worry about advance tickets.

Practical tips: where to buy tickets and what to watch out for

Buy tickets through the official channels of individual venues and organisers, keep an eye on when advance sales open, and for intimate venues expect them to sell out quickly. If nothing in your genre is on in Pardubice right now, look for a related event nearby.

The most reliable approach is always to buy at the source. Enteria arena, theatres, and the organisers of the horse racing and speedway all have their own advance sales, and that is where the exact date, time and price will appear before anywhere else. For big international names, the first wave of tickets is usually the cheapest and last-minute buying before the event is the most expensive. For chamber concerts the opposite logic applies: capacity is small, so it sells out sooner and more quietly than at big shows. If you prefer a quieter format, keep an eye on our theatre listings and individual artists so you do not miss the advance sale.

If you cannot find your genre in the Pardubice programme this week, our calendar offers a related live experience elsewhere. Exactly this kind of symphonic film evening is represented by the concert The Best of Film Music, taking place on 17 July 2026 at the Hus Church in Plzen. It is a format that suits the intimate Pardubice halls perfectly, so until the next local date comes around, a trip to another city for music can be a pleasant compromise.

One more tip for turning an event into a full day out. The venues are close to the historic centre, so you can fit in a tour of the Renaissance castle, a walk along the riverbank, and a purchase of genuine hand-decorated gingerbread. One event can easily become a memorable day trip.

Frequently asked questions

Where do the biggest concerts in Pardubice take place?

The biggest concerts and shows are hosted by Enteria arena. With a seating capacity of 10,088 it is the third largest hockey arena in the Czech Republic and thanks to rental arrangements the ice rink can be turned into a concert hall within a few hours. Smaller and more intimate concerts belong to the cosier halls close to the centre.

What is the most famous annual event in Pardubice?

The Velká pardubická, without question. This cross-country steeplechase has been run here since 1874 and takes place every year on the second Sunday in October. Alongside it, the speedway Zlatá přilba has a strong tradition as the oldest regularly held race of its kind in the world.

Is Pardubice planning a new large arena?

Yes, and it will be truly large. Construction of a new arena with a capacity of over 22,000 people was due to begin in mid-2026, with the opening planned for 2028. For concerts the capacity would be even higher, which would open the city's doors to the biggest tours as well.

Where is the best place to follow the programme and buy tickets?

The safest option is the official advance sales of individual venues and organisers, where you will find the current date, time and price. A comprehensive overview across all venues is then offered by our events calendar and concerts hub.

What if there is nothing for me in Pardubice right now?

Pardubice is roughly an hour from Prague and a short distance from Hradec Králové, so nearby venues are within easy reach. In our calendar you can find a similar event close by, such as a symphonic film evening, and you do not have to wait for the next local date.

Sources

  • The Best of Film Music - concert, 17 July 2026, Hus Church, Plzen (kdykam.com)
  • kdykam.com - concerts, theatre, artists and events calendar
  • cs.wikipedia.org and arenapce.cz - capacity and character of Enteria arena
  • pardubicky.denik.cz - planned new arena in Pardubice (capacity, dates)
  • zavodistepardubice.cz, kudyznudy.cz and betarena.cz - history and parameters of the Velká pardubická and the Taxis Ditch
  • zlataprilba.cz, cs.wikipedia.org and kudyznudy.cz - history of Zlatá přilba and speedway racing in Svítkov
  • kudyznudy.cz, parpedie.cz and putovanisvetem.cz - Pardubice gingerbread, protected geographical indication and festivals