Hlinecko Shrovetide Door-to-Door Processions

Masopustní obchůzky a masky na Hlinecku

View on map
Carnival & ParadeHlinsko/Hlinecko villages
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration18 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesThis is a genuinely functioning door-to-door
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: CZK
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Hlinecko Shrovetide Door-to-Door Processions in Hlinsko/Hlinecko villages

In the weeks before Lent, masked men and boys in Hlinsko and six surrounding Hlinecko villages move house to house performing a ritual harvest-blessing dance, accompanied by a brass band, in a tradition UNESCO inscribed on its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2010. The day closes with the Killing of the Mare, a mock trial and symbolic execution of a costumed mare, revived with alcohol to trigger open dancing between performers and onlookers.

In the Hlinecko area of eastern Bohemia, the weeks before Lent bring a tradition unlike most Shrovetide carnivals elsewhere in Europe: village men and boys, disguised in masks representing traditional characters, red masks for unmarried boys and black masks for married men, move from house to house through the town of Hlinsko and six surrounding villages, accompanied by a brass band.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

This is a genuinely functioning door-to-door custom rather than a staged parade: masked performers, distinguished by red masks for unmarried men and black for married men, enter individual households with permission to perform a ritual dance for the family inside, a structure almost no other European Shrovetide tradition preserves at this scale

02

The mystery stays covered

The closing Killing of the Mare ritual, a mock trial and symbolic execution followed by a revival with alcohol and open dancing, gives the day a theatrical climax distinct from the house-to-house visits themselves

03

The city starts moving

UNESCO's 2010 inscription recognised the custom specifically as a living community practice performed by and for the villages, not a re-enactment staged for tourists

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Masked performers

Water and renewal

Living ritual

red masks for unmarried men and black for married men

The sacred route

Living ritual

visit households in a fixed circuit performing a ritual harvest-blessing dance

The local code

Living ritual

closing the day with the symbolic Killing of the Mare and its revival with alcohol

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Expect street closures, dense pedestrian flow, and slow exits. Comfortable shoes are essential.

What to wear

Warm, weatherproof outdoor clothing is essential given the late-winter timing and full day spent following an outdoor procession through village streets.

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

CZK

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map50.09 N, 14.42 EOpen in Google Maps

Hlinsko/Hlinecko villages, Pardubice Region, Czechia

Nearest airportPED — Pardubice
TransportExpect street closures, dense pedestrian flow, and slow exits. Comfortable shoes are essential.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hlinsko/Hlinecko villages via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hlinsko/Hlinecko villages, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearWarm, weatherproof outdoor clothing is essential given the late-winter timing and full day spent following an outdoor procession through village streets.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Czechia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Hlinecko Shrovetide Door-to-Door Processions?

Hlinecko Shrovetide Door-to-Door Processions is listed for Past edition: 31 January–17 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hlinecko Shrovetide Door-to-Door Processions take place?

The festival is listed in Hlinsko/Hlinecko villages, Czechia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

18 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hlinsko/Hlinecko villages, Pardubice Region, Czechia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLritualinmotion.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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