Festival of the Five-Petalled Rose in Český Krumlov

The Festival of the Five-Petalled Rose is one of Europe's largest historical town celebrations, attracting approximately 20,000 visitors annually. This year's 38th edition (June 19–21, 2026) transports visitors back to 1586, when Jan Zrinský, son of Eva of Rožmberk and Mikuláš Zrinský of Seryn, celebrates his 20th birthday. His uncles Jan Zrinský – Petr Vok and Vilém of Rožmberk – organized an unforgettable celebration for the occasion.

The programme includes seven historical processions – daytime and evening, the Knights' Tournament of Roses honouring the Zrinský and Rožmberk families, a historical craft market in the castle's first courtyard with period goods and demonstrations of traditional crafts, live chess before a rotating amphitheatre, a historical dance hall in the Brewery Garden, a falconry yard with a birds-of-prey exhibition, period military encampment in City Park, and a grand fireworks display on the castle terraces.

The highlight is Saturday's spectacular costumed procession through the city centre with over 500 performers, mounted knights, a historical Renaissance carriage, musical and dance groups, jesters and jugglers. Evening programmes feature torch-lit processions and allegorical floats on the Vltava River. In total, over 150 performances take place on 10 stages throughout the historic centre. Admission is collected only on Friday and Saturday; Sunday entry is free. Tickets are passes valid for the entire duration of the festival.