New Year’s Eve: Brno celebrates this worldwide event with as much verve as it can muster, with fireworks breaking up the chilly dark winter.

Days of European Film: some of the best new European short films and feature films are presented at this important cinematic event.

Exposition of New Music: another of Brno’s music-centred festivals presents the latest contemporary musicians from around the region at venues throughout the city.

Easter Festival of Sacred Music: the first two weeks of April are filled with religious music concerts all over Brno as this important Christian event is celebrated.

Brno Festival: rarely do car racing, theatre, ballooning and fireworks come together in one event except at the annual week-long Brno Festival.

Liberation Day: this Czech national holiday celebrates the country’s freedom with a day off from work and plenty of civic festivities.

Janacek Music Festival: every June, the music of Brno’s greatest hometown musician, Leos Janacek, is performed and celebrated by performers from around the globe.

Autotec Trade Fair: one of Europe’s largest and most prominent commercial vehicle trade fairs is a big draw for the city.

Czech Motor GP: the roar of supercharged engines fills the air around the Brno Circuit during this major international race which is accompanied by myriad related events throughout the city.

Czech Statehood Day: this national holiday is a chance for citizens to stop for a moment and appreciate its relatively newfound autonomy.

International Interpretation Competition on the Organ: organ music is the hot genre of the day as Europe’s top players come to Brno to showcase their talents.

Moravian Autumn Music Festival: one of the city’s three major music festivals held each year features hometown greats such as Leos Janacek and others.

Independence Day: another national holiday celebrating the most treasured of all Czech concepts: its autonomy.

Freedom and Democracy Day: this national holiday celebrates the modern freedom the Czech Republic received from Communism, and everyone gets a day off.

Christmas: Brno has a fairly strong Christian population which celebrates Christmas with concerts and other special events at churches around the city.