Prague Quadrennial 2027 – Prague, Czechia
Overview
The Prague Quadrennial (PQ) of Performance Design and Space is the world largest international festival and exhibition dedicated to the artistry of scenography, performance design, and theatre architecture. Established in 1967, this massive cultural event occurs only once every four years, bringing together thousands of artists, designers, and researchers from over eighty countries. The 16th edition in 2027 marks a historic milestone as the festival celebrates its 60th anniversary, returning to its emblematic original home at the newly renovated Prague Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště Praha).
The theme for PQ 2027 is Absences and Silences, envisioned as spaces of potential for new scenographic futures. Rather than viewing these concepts as voids, the festival explores them as powerful aesthetic tools that shape rhythm, engage the body, and reveal what is often hidden offstage or outside traditional canons. The program will activate the vast Industrial Palace, the Křižík Pavilions, and numerous open-air areas, transforming the city into a living laboratory for spatial storytelling. This edition seeks to amplify the voices and methods that usually happen outside the spotlight, turning silence into a resonant force for creative discovery.
Over the course of ten days, the city of Prague becomes a vibrant hub of creativity, featuring hundreds of immersive installations, live performances, and professional discussions. The festival structure includes two major competitive pillars: the Exhibition of Countries and Regions and the Student Exhibition, alongside specialized sections for theatre architecture and publication cultures. By bridging the gap between historical reflection and speculative future design, PQ 2027 offers an unparalleled look at how humans interact with space, technology, and each other through the lens of performance.
Enjoy Your Event Stress-Free with Euro Travelo
Planning a trip to attend a festival, concert, or business event in Europe can be overwhelming—tickets, travel, accommodation, and local logistics all take time and effort. Euro Travelo makes it simple by providing everything you need through one trusted company. You save time, avoid stress, and enjoy a seamless experience from start to finish.
Event Highlights
- 60th Anniversary Celebration: Participate in the special PQ 60 program, which includes an immersive retrospective installation and a digital archive project tracing the festival’s evolution since 1967.
- Absences and Silences Theme: Engage with groundbreaking commissions that experiment with invisibility, soundless design, and the generative potential of what is not seen or heard.
- Global Exhibition of Countries: Explore national pavilions from around the world, each offering a unique cultural perspective on the future of performance and spatial design.
- Live Performance Program: Experience PQ Performance, a curated series of site-specific and site-adaptive works that take place in both iconic and hidden locations throughout the city.
Why Attend
Prague Quadrennial 2027 is the ultimate meeting place for anyone fascinated by the intersection of art, architecture, and technology. It is ideal for professional scenographers, architects, and theatre-makers looking to exchange ideas with global peers, as well as students seeking an intensive immersion into the highest levels of performance media. The event provides a rare opportunity to see how different cultures interpret space and storytelling, offering deep insights into the sociopolitical conditions that shape our modern built environments.
For the general public and families, the festival offers a spectacular sensory experience that transcends traditional museum visits. The benefit of attending lies in the sheer scale and variety of the program—from interactive “scenographic hives” designed for young audiences to high-concept digital installations. Whether you are looking to network with international collaborators or simply want to witness the cutting edge of global creativity in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, PQ 2027 promises a transformative journey into the power of imagination.
Date & Duration
- Event Date: June 8 to June 17, 2027
- Event Duration: 10 days
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: Festival passes and day tickets are available through the official PQ website via a dedicated pre-sale and standard ticketing platform.
- Admission Type: Visitors can choose from full 10-day festival passes, 3-day passes, or 1-day exhibition tickets.
- Ticket Pricing: Prices range from approximately $26 for a 1-day pass to $122 for a full 10-day festival pass.
- Special Seating Options: While most exhibitions are walk-through, designated seating and rest areas are available at the main festival hub and within larger performance spaces.
- VIP Options: Professional and institutional accreditation is available, providing access to specialized networking events, preview days, and the PQ Hive lounge.
Venue / Location
- City and Country: Prague, Czechia
- Venue Name: Exhibition center Prague (Výstaviště Praha)
- Google Maps Address: Výstaviště 67, 170 00 Praha 7-Bubeneč, Czechia
Worried about accommodation? Hotels near this event sell out quickly, and prices tend to rise fast. Check out these accommodation options:
Contact Information
- Email: info@pq.cz
- Phone Number: +420 224 809 118
- Official Website: https://pq.cz/pq2027/
- Social Media Links:
- https://www.instagram.com/praguequadrennial/
- https://www.facebook.com/pquadrennial
- https://www.youtube.com/user/PragueQuadrennial
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/praguequadrennial/albums
Getting There
- Nearest Airport: Václav Havel Airport Prague is located about 15 kilometers from the main Exhibition Grounds.
- Nearest Train/Metro Station: Nádraží Holešovice is the nearest major metro and train station, located just a few minutes from the venue.
- Bus Routes or Public Transport Options: Trams 6, 12, and 17 stop directly in front of the venue at the Výstaviště stop.
- Parking Availability: On-site parking is available within the Výstaviště grounds, and there are several large parking garages in the nearby Holešovice district.
- Directions by Car: The venue is accessible via the Městský okruh city ring road, following signs for Prague 7 and Holešovice.
What is this event?
Prague Quadrennial is a massive international festival that celebrates the art of performance design and scenography every four years. It features hundreds of national pavilions, student projects, and live performances that explore how we create and experience spaces.
The event acts as both a competitive exhibition and a creative laboratory, where artists from all over the world share new techniques in lighting, sound, and spatial design. It is recognized globally as the most important event in its field.
Why is it popular?
The festival is popular because it transforms the entire city of Prague into a playground for the imagination, making complex art accessible and fun for everyone. Its rare four-year cycle creates a huge sense of anticipation and ensures that every edition features brand-new, cutting-edge work.
It also draws a massive following because of its unique atmosphere, where the world’s top designers mingle with students and the public in a relaxed, festive environment. The combination of historic venues and futuristic art makes it a visually stunning experience.
Attendee Experiences
- Seeing so many different cultures interpret a single theme in such wildly creative ways was absolutely mind-blowing.
- The whole city felt alive with art and I loved how I could just stumble upon a performance in a public square.
- It was the best networking event I have ever been to because everyone was so open to talking and sharing their ideas.
Before you go, check these helpful travel products:
Maps
Contact
Video
FAQ's
Where can I find the full program of events for 2027?
The detailed daily schedule including all performances, workshops, and exhibition opening hours is typically released on the official website six months before the festival begins. In the meantime, you can follow the thematic announcements and curatorial updates to get a sense of the major commissions and national pavilions.
Is the festival suitable for children and families?
PQ 2027 includes a dedicated section called PQ Hive which is specifically designed for wider audiences, including children and young people. This area features interactive installations and hands-on workshops that introduce younger visitors to the magic of stage design in a fun and accessible way.
Can I participate as an artist in the 2027 edition?
Participation in the major exhibitions is usually managed by the official curators of each participating country or region, but PQ also releases numerous open calls for live performances and studio projects. Most of these calls have deadlines throughout 2026, so interested artists should check the official "How to Participate" section frequently.
Are the exhibition spaces accessible for visitors with limited mobility?
The main festival hub at the Prague Exhibition Grounds is largely accessible, and the organizers provide detailed accessibility maps for all satellite venues across the city. Most of the newly renovated pavilions include ramps and elevators to ensure that everyone can enjoy the immersive installations.
Will there be events held in English?
Since the Prague Quadrennial is an international event with participants from over eighty countries, English is the primary language for all professional talks, workshops, and guided tours. Most exhibition text and the official festival app are also provided in both English and Czech for the convenience of all visitors.
