The Czech government publishes an annual "Calendar of Tourist Events" in English, available from Cedok or the Prague Information Service.

March Prague City of Music Festival; Czech Alpine Skiing Championships (Tourist Information Center, Box 24, 543 51 Spindlerův Ml‡n, 0438/93330).

May Prague Spring Music Festival (Hellichova 18, 118 00 Prague 1, 02/533473); Prague Marathon; Prague Writers' Festival (Viola Theater, Národní 7, Prague 1, 02/2422-0844) offers dramatic readings by major writers from around the world.

Classical concerts take place throughout the year in concert halls and churches, the biggest event being the Prague Spring (Prazské jaro) international music festival, which traditionally begins on May 12, the day of Smetana's death, with a performance of Má vlast, and finishes on June 2 with a rendition of Beethoven's Ninth. As well as the main venues, watch for concerts in the churches and palaces, especially in summer.

June Prague International Film Festival.

July Prague Summer Culture Festival.

September Prague Autumn International Music Festival (Sekaninova 26, 120 00 Prague 2, 02/692-7470).

October Agharta International Jazz Festival; Festival of 20th Century Music (Festa Arts Agency, Dlouhá 10, 110 00 Prague 1, 02/232-1086).

Mozart in Prague 02/643 7560 Studio Forum Praha. A month long celebration.

November 17 Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution which took place on November 17, 1989.

Christmas Market in the Old Town Square. Mid-November- December.

December 5-26 Christmas in Prague is celebrated with many events. Santa, dressed in a white bishop's robes starts it off on 12/5 with treats for the children who are well behaved, and coal and potatoes to the rowdy ones.