St. John's Celebrations Navalis 2026

The St. John's Celebrations NAVALIS honour the most famous Czech saint and "Praguer" St. John of Nepomuk, patron of all people connected to water. Held annually on the eve of his feast day, May 15, at Charles Bridge on the Vltava River. This is the 18th year of renewed celebrations with a three-hundred-year tradition dating back to 1627, when Prague hosted its first musical performance on boats. The modern tradition was revived in 2009.

The 2026 programme begins on Wednesday, May 13, with the assembly of boats from Venice and Croatia on the embankment near Hergetova Cihelna. On Thursday, May 14, the Venetian-Neretvan Afternoon (14:00–17:00) takes place at the same location. The main day of celebrations, Friday, May 15, includes the ceremonial decoration of horses at Hradčany Square (14:30), blessing of riders, horses and pilgrims (16:30), solemn mass in the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Vojtech and Wenceslas (17:30), St. John's Procession to Charles Bridge (19:00), regatta of Venetian boats Vela al Terzo and historic rowing boats, parachute jump and swimming of hardy swimmers (19:45), prayer service before the Church of St. Francis at Křižovnické Square (20:00), and Baroque concert on the Vltava surface beneath Charles Bridge performed by the Castle Guard Band (20:30). On Saturday, May 16, a solemn mass, vespers and procession to Charles Bridge from the Church of St. Thomas on the Lesser Town (18:00) take place.

Highlights of 2026 include: the first appearance of the new Prague Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl, the premiere of the symphony "Saints of Prague Castle" by composer Kryštof Marek, the first visit of the Baroque boat Bisantina from the Venetian lagoon, and free boat rides on historic vessels for all visitors. The celebrations feature allegorically decorated boats, Venetian gondolas, historic Venetian boats Bissona Praga – Nepomuceno and the sailing ship of the Vela al Terzo Venezia Association. Annually, boatmen from Venice, Austria, Germany and Croatia participate in the celebrations.