October in Prague: Weather, What to Pack, and What to See

October is an excellent month to travel to Prague. The cool fall weather brings with it plenty of music and art events and makes for pleasant, memorable outings in the Old Town or to nearby villages. With the number of tourists drastically reduced from the high summer season, many travelers agree that Prague in autumn is not only easy on the pocketbook, but it's also a beautiful time to tour this historic city.

Prague Weather in October

October in Prague definitely feels like fall, with cool afternoons and chilly nighttime temperatures that last into the morning hours. Evenings can be chilly, too, as the sun sinks below the horizon. October is a relatively dry month for Prague and while you may see some rain, it shouldn't be anything that drastically affects your plans.

• Average high: 56 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius)
• Average low: 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius)
• Average rainfall: 1.1 inches (28 mm)

If you head out for the day and plan to stay out through the evening, be sure to bring an extra layer with you to bundle up when the sun goes down.

What to Pack

Autumn breezes can add to the pre-winter nip in the air, so if you're susceptible to chills, bring along a cashmere wrap or lightweight scarf for your neck that will help you stay warm when you need to but can also be stuffed into your bag when the sun is out.

Short bursts of warmer temperatures are possible, particularly at the beginning of the month when the last days of summer have just passed. Layers are always the best idea in any season and that is definitely the case in Prague in October. Take along sweaters or a light waterproof jacket that can be layered over cotton tops or heavier sweaters. Have both weights on hand as basic layers so you can deal with swings in the temperature either daily or over your visit. Ankle boots or other comfortable walking shoes are a must for touring. 

October Events in Prague

Music takes over the city in October with classical and jazz being featured at a variety of venues. Look for contemporary design events during Designblok, too. Prague's events calendar for October is packed, with smaller concerts and performances, evening concerts in the city's historic spaces, and museum exhibitions giving you a huge selection from which to choose.

• Strings of Autumn: Perfect for stringed instrument lovers, this musical showcase features musicians from around the world performing in genres from classical to jazz at concert venues throughout the city. Concerts for 2020 begin on September 11 and run through November 21.
• Designblok: This is Prague's annual celebration of contemporary fashion and design where you'll see exhibitions of fashion, jewelry, home furnishings, and interior design and learn about new and established creative Czech talent. It takes place from October 7–11, 2020, and for the 2020 event tickets must be pre-purchased for a specific time slot.
• Prague Signal Festival: For four days Prague lights up after the sun goes down. The Signal Festival is a festival of light installations and is one of the major cultural events in the Czech Republic. Experts in light design bring artistic lighting to Prague’s streets and public areas and its most popular historical monuments. The lighting changes over the four evenings and captures the different facades of today’s and yesterday’s Prague. The theme of the 2020 event is "Plan B" and focused on climate change, and you can see it around the city from October 15–18.
• Coffee Festival: The Prague Coffee Festival takes place in mid-October at the Prague Market. Enjoy excellent coffees from around the world, and learn about coffee roasting. Your ticket will provide you with unlimited coffee tasting during the event. The 2020 Coffee Festival is canceled.
• Day of Czechoslovakia Independence: October 28 is a nationally recognized Czech holiday that celebrates the day Czechoslovakia became independent from the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 (Slovakia and the Czech Republic split in 1993). On this day, places inaccessible at other times, like government buildings and the Mayor's residence, are open to the public with many tours available in English.

October Travel Tips

• Hours of operation for some Prague sights are shortened in October and some day trips from Prague become less worthwhile as doors to attractions are shut for the winter or operate on reduced schedules. If you plan to take a day trip from Prague, check ahead of time to make sure that your desired destination will still be open when you plan to visit.
• Try cold-weather Prague street food, including the traditional rolled pastries hot off the roller and tart-but-sweet mulled wine. Traditional Czech food is also a winner when temperatures drop—hearty roasted meats, healthy portions of potatoes, and a tankard of beer help keep even the busiest sightseer fueled for more.
• Experiencing rainy weather or a chilly afternoon? Check out any one of the many galleries and exhibitions about Czech art, history, and culture, such as the National Museum or Kafka Museum.
• Stop into shops selling Czech-made products for great souvenirs and gifts. Christmas is coming up and the Christmas markets open at the beginning of November, in case you arrive at the end of October.
• Prague is on Central European Time and, as with most of Europe, daylight saving time ends on the last Sunday of October. If you're visiting at the end of the month, the sun sets early—usually before 5 p.m.