FEBRUARY 

Masopust is Carnival celebrated in Prague, Český Krumlov and other Czech towns and villages, with an emphasis on beer and pork.

APRIL 

Easter Monday sees an unusual 'celebration' when Czech men give women a whipping with a willow switch

MAY 

Liberation from the Germans in 1945 is celebrated on May 8 when those that died under the Nazi occupation are remembered.

MAY-JUNE 

Prague Spring International Music Festival (May 12-June 2:). This three-week classical music festival traditionally starts with Smetana's Ma Vlast and ends with Beethoven's 9th.

JUNE

 Tanec Praha (May 25 - June 25) is an international dance event celebrated in about ten Czech towns

JULY

 Karlovy Vary (Karlsbad) International Film Festival - there are hundreds of screenings in the spa town west of Prague.

Jan Hus Day is on July 6 and involves lots of sausages.

July 16-19: Colours of Ostrava, Music Festival

SEPTEMBER 

September 28 is Czech Statehood Day, with a celebration of Bohemian history.

NOVEMBER 

The Velvet Revolution in 1989 is remembered on November 17 with candles and flowers.

Prague Writers' Festival (Nov 7-10) celebrates literature from around the world.

DECEMBER 

Mulled wine is a feature of Christmas, from St Nicholas' Day until Christmas Day.

New Year is ushered in with a fireworks spectacle.