Liberec, Czechia Drives 2026 Tourism With Crystal Valley Glass, Gardens and New Craft Routes

Written By: Abhirup Gan

Abhirup Gan

I'm Abhirup Gan, a Mass Communication graduate and digital marketing professional. Driven by a passion for storytelling, I create insightful, research-led content that explores tourism trends, destination stories, and hospitality developments with depth and clarity. Through my writing, I hope to inspire readers to discover not only where to travel, but the stories, cultures, and experiences that make every journey meaningful.

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September 12, 2026 11:04 GMT+5:30

Czechia’s late-summer and early-autumn 2026 tourism calendar is directing attention towards the Liberec Region, where the Crystal Valley is presenting glassmaking through festivals, workshops, open studios, exhibitions and visitor experiences. The region provides travellers with opportunities to explore traditional Bohemian glass production alongside contemporary design, mountain landscapes and small-town cultural attractions beyond Prague.

Crystal Valley Opens Its Glassmaking Landscape

The Crystal Valley extends across the Liberec Region and brings together more than 100 companies, museums and schools connected with glass and jewellery production. The region has more than 700 years of glassmaking history and provides visitors with access to working glassworks, family studios, galleries, museums and specialist events.

During late summer and autumn 2026, the programme includes several events across the region. Crystal Valley Week takes place in Liberec from 24 to 29 August, followed by the Glass Festival in Kristiánov on 5 September and the Glass Town festival in Železný Brod on 19 and 20 September. ŠperkFest in Turnov then runs from 5 to 17 October, extending the craft calendar into the autumn season.

These events provide travellers with different ways to explore Czech glassmaking. Exhibitions, demonstrations, workshops, markets and open studios allow visitors to see production techniques and meet craftspeople while travelling between towns and villages across northern Bohemia.

Pačinek Glass Combines Craft With a Glass Garden

Pačinek Glass in Kunratice u Cvikova is one of the Crystal Valley locations offering visitors direct access to contemporary glassmaking. The family glassworks combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary glass sculpture and provides guided tours of its production facilities and gallery.

The site’s Glass Garden provides another tourism attraction. Glass sculptures are positioned among living plants, creating an outdoor route where visitors can see how glass works interact with the surrounding landscape. The garden remains open throughout the year and can also be illuminated in the evening on request.

Visitors can also tour the Crystal Temple, where guided visits are available throughout the year. The complete Pačinek Glass experience combines the garden, temple, glassworks and gallery, giving travellers several connected attractions within one stop.

During the summer season, the glassworks operates from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 5 pm at weekends and on public holidays. From October, opening hours change as the region moves into its autumn and winter operating schedule.

Autumn Festivals Bring Glassmaking Into Public Spaces

The September calendar continues with the Glass Festival in Kristiánov, commemorating 250 years since the first glass furnace was lit at the former glassmaking settlement. The 5 September programme includes live glassmaking demonstrations, glass cutting, the creation of glass figures and beads, a giant glass mosaic project and other cultural activities.

The event takes place in the Jizera Mountains, connecting glassmaking with a mountain setting. Travellers can therefore combine the festival with hiking and other outdoor activities in the surrounding landscape.

Later in September, Železný Brod hosts Glass Town on 19 and 20 September. The festival includes a glass symposium, glass trade fair, demonstrations, creative workshops, exhibitions and open doors at local glass studios, production facilities, galleries and exhibition spaces.

The programme provides an opportunity to travel between multiple glassmaking locations rather than visiting one museum or workshop. For visitors staying in the Liberec Region, the events can form part of a multi-day route connecting Liberec, Jablonec nad Nisou, Kunratice u Cvikova, Železný Brod and Turnov.

Contemporary Glass Extends the Traditional Craft Route

Crystal Valley’s 2026 programme also places contemporary glass alongside historic craftsmanship. The International Triennial of Glass and Jewellery at the Museum of Glass and Jewellery in Jablonec nad Nisou runs through the autumn, with exhibitions presenting recent Czech glass and jewellery design. One exhibition featuring young glass artists continues until 18 October 2026.

The programme demonstrates how travellers can connect working studios with museum collections and contemporary exhibitions. This creates a cultural itinerary that covers production, design, history and artistic practice across several destinations.

Official Link: https://csu.gov.cz/rychle-informace/tourism-2-quarter-of-2026

Czechia Extends Tourism Beyond Prague

Regarding the statistics on accommodation guests for the second quarter of 2026, the following data can be stated: 6.4 million guests stayed in Czech collective accommodations for 15.1 million nights. As for foreign guests, they spent 7.1 million nights in Czech accommodations, and as for the number of guests, it grew by 0.5 percent when comparing it to last year. One of the best options for an alternative destination besides Prague for those who want to enjoy their late summer and autumn holidays in the country is the Liberec Region. In the network of Crystal Valley, there is a great mixture of craft tradition and museums, gardens, mountains and regional festivals. A possibility to visit different events that will happen in the schedule or in particular studios is a good way to get acquainted with the region. Pačinek Glass has its Glass Garden all year round; moreover, during September and October, there are a lot of opportunities to attend the festival program.