Prague Exhibition Grounds in 2025: Continuing Development and Celebrations of 130 Years of the Holešovice Market Prague

03/02/2025
Prague Exhibition Grounds in 2025: Continuing Development and Celebrations of 130 Years of the Holešovice Market Prague

Výstaviště Praha, a company managing the Exhibition Grounds and the Holešovice Market Hall, has completed its second year of developing the economic connection of the two complexes and, following the last year marked by development, this year also promises continued growth of both areas. In 2025, visitors can look forward to the opening of the former slaughterhouse exchange after a costly reconstruction, Halls 27 and 28 as future business units or a gourmet and cultural festival to celebrate 130 years of the complex. The reconstruction of the Industrial Palace continues at the Exhibition Grounds in 2025 and the Nová Spirála multimedia space will offer another rich program.

A total of 373 events took place at the Exhibition Grounds and the Holešovice Market in 2024, the Exhibition Grounds welcoming 1.8 million and the Holešovice Market 2.8 million visitors. The main events at the Exhibition Grounds last year included the opening of Nová Spirála after being closed for visitors for more than twenty years, the revitalization of roofs of the Křižík Pavilions, which now serve as green relaxation areas, as well as the ongoing reconstruction of the Industrial Palace, where the clock tower was returned to the roof of the central palace hall, and the reconstruction of the Lapidarium building, which is due to continue this year. In the Holešovice Market, the reconstruction of the most magnificent building in the area, the former slaughterhouse exchange, continued, with its opening expected later this year. The clock mechanism on the Water Tower has also been put into operation again.

 "This year we will continue to gradually build a stable range of events taking place from spring to Christmas. Part from the regular programme, the complex will celebrate 130 years since its opening – and we have prepared a programme with the heritage of former city slaughterhouse as the central topic. The program will focus on the history of the area, its previous appearance and functions, but above all on the topic of food, because the necessity of food and producing it stood at the foundation of the slaughterhouse complex. The highlight of the programme will be a twenty-day pop-up festival in Hall 17, where, in line with a site-specific scenography, a café, a concert / event and exhibition venue will be created to celebrate everything related to production and consumption of food. Another highlight will be BEEF - eleven-course gastro performance, which brings an unprecedented combination of theatre, stand-up comedy and a comprehensive gastronomic experience unparalleled in the Czech Republic," says Michal Tošovský, program director of the Holešovice Market.

Exhibition Grounds and Market in 2025

Return of Stained Glass to Industrial Palace from Nový Bor

The reconstruction of the Industrial Palace will continue successfully this year as well. In February, the third year since the start of the reconstruction work will be completed, with the handover of the completed construction expected to take place in June 2026. An overall area of 2256 meters of stained glass, the renovation of which began in the autumn of 2024, will return to its place from the Kolektiv Ateliers glassworks in Nový Bor. The left wing will receive a new roof and windows, and works on the façade also continue. The roof of the central hall and the new floor will be completed by the end of the year. In the right wing, the renovation of the steel structure and of Smetana's built-in structure will continue, while a rough floor will be laid here.

"At the moment, we are already counting on moving major events to the Industrial Palace from 2027, especially the Book World fair. However, we firmly believe that even the projects that were forced to leave the complex due to the reconstruction of the palace will return to a greater extent as soon as the reconstruction is completed next year. Overall, we are already working with the palace from a business point of view, and this year we are going to present it at IMEX Frankfurt, IBTM Barcelona, but we are also considering IMEX America, since we feel the need to return to this market. In addition, we focus on business in the segment of smaller and mid-size events, when presenting to buyers in London or Milan, for example," Marie Štéglová, Sales Director of the Prague Exhibition Grounds summarizes the business prospects of the complex.

Holešovice Market

The Holešovice Market began its revival two years ago, and this year the most important building of the former slaughterhouse complex - Burza - the Stock Exchange - will be opened. Of course, the main role will be played throughout the year by the celebrations of the 130th anniversary of the opening of the complex, in addition to the ongoing reconstruction and revitalization of selected halls, road areas and infrastructure solutions. "We recently approved a strategic concept for the development of the Holešovice Market Hall until 2038 at the council. The complex has been underinvested for a long time and it needs an investment of about 5 billion crowns. However, partial modifications of some halls and modernization of the technical infrastructure are gradually taking place in the market. A nice gift for the 130th birthday of the market will be this year's opening of the renovated former slaughterhouse exchange. Approximately a year later, the Industrial Palace at the Prague Exhibition Grounds will also rise from the ashes. Its restoration after the devastating fire in 2008 is one of the most demanding and costly projects for Prague. After the reconstruction, the Industrial Palace will offer one of the largest indoor spaces for meetings and other events in Central Europe," says Adam Zábranský, Councillor for Property, Transparency and Legislation.

Food Everywhere You Look to Celebrate 130 Years of the Market!

In 2024, the Holešovice Market has definitely joined the Prague gastro map, not only thanks to its own pop-up concepts, which present various cuisines of the world as part of one-day gourmet events or the almost year-round operation of the Food Truck Point, but also thanks to the traditional shopping in Hall 22, where visitors will find products from Czech farmers throughout the year. However, the year 2025 promises further significant development in the field of gastronomy, and not only in the aforementioned Burza building, the reconstruction of which is coming to an end, and where Zátiší Group will offer quality refreshments for the general public this year. The Burza will become not only a gastronomic but also a cultural centre of the Holešovice Market. The aim is to revive the entire area and support its transformation into a centre of culture, gastronomy and relaxation, which will offer quality food and an authentic atmosphere for Prague residents and tourists alike.

 "Zátiší Group is looking forward to the fact that the opening of the Burza will be another step towards the democratization of quality gastronomy. The interior of the Burza will combine the historical elements of the former slaughterhouse stock exchange building with modern design. The central point of the entire space will be a glass bar produced by the renowned Lasvit studio, which will underline not only the aesthetics, but also the innovative approach to the overall concept of the restaurant. The furniture will be tuned in contrast between the historical and the contemporary to connect the past with the present," comments David Tomašovych, Catering Finance & Business Development Director of Zátiší Group.

 Visitors can also look forward to the Ambiente Group, which will present three delicious concepts. Two popular Ambiente establishments – the Naše maso butchery and Myšák confectionery, as well as a brand new concept of a Slovak restaurant. Ambiente will create a place for visitors in the market hall that will be alive from morning to night. "Holešovice Courtyard will combine all three concepts – in the morning you will be able to enjoy breakfast at Myšák's with a selection of coffee and traditional Czech desserts, for lunch you will be able to choose from delicious steaks or burgers from Naše maso or Slovak specialties and cordial hospitality in the restaurant led by chef Tomáš Valkovič. The evening will belong to wine, fine dining and informal sitting in the open air," Šárka Hamanová, PR manager of Ambiente comments.

Summary of events for 2024 for both complexes:

  • Total: 373 events
  • Exhibition Grounds: 211 events (including events at so called Střídačka and summer camps)
  • Of which: 58 events of own events or in cooperation with partners
  • Market: 162 events
  • Of which: 114 own events or in cooperation with partners

Attendance 2024:

  • Total attendance of the Exhibition Grounds: over 1,837,177
  • Total attendance of the Market: over 112,696 (Hall 22 visitors not included)

 

Investments of the Prague City Hall in 2024:

Prague Exhibition Grounds

  • Repairs and maintenance: CZK 55 697 000
  • Investments: CZK 198,635,000 (TOP investments: KP roofs – CZK 13,303,000, Nová Spirála – CZK 110,331,000, Lapidarium – CZK 15,346,000)

Holešovice Market

  • Repairs and maintenance CZK 54,147,000
  • Investments: CZK 95,951,000 (TOP investments: Hall 11 – CZK 20,476,000, Halls 7,8,9 – CZK 24,137,000, Halls 27,28 – CZK 14,708,000 

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