Christmas Eve » 24 December 2008:

Christmas Eve in Prague

Christmas Eve, 24th December, is the most festive day of Christmas in the Czech Republic. The Christmas markets open, as do some shops, bars & restaurants. However, nearly all tourist attractions are closed. This is a wonderfully peaceful day to explore the city.

For the evening, we strongly advise booking a restaurant in advance - Christmas restaurants

Later on, midnight mass is held at the Old Town Square. The programme generally starts around 21:15 and lasts for several hours.

Czech Christmas Traditions

Most Czech people spend the afternoon of the 24th December at home with their families, dressing the Christmas tree and preparing food for the evening celebrations.

Traditionally, until their dinner in the evening, Czechs are permitted only to eat sauerkraut soup on Christmas Eve, in order to see the "golden piglet".

Christmas dinner is served around 6pm.

The central ingredient for a traditional Czech Christmas dinner is carp. The fish is purchased live from sellers on the street, then is cooked and served with potato salad. Dinner can be quite a hectic affair, as parents devise ways to leave the table, to place the childrens' presents under the newly dressed tree.

Czech children believe that Christmas gifts are brought by Jezisek (little Jesus). As the family move to the Christmas tree after dinner, they are amazed to see Jezisek has visited and left so many presents without anyone noticing.

With a beautifully dressed Christmas tree in the corner and the presents open, the evening is spent playing games, watching children's stories on the TV and chatting. For adults there is of course a good supply of Czech beers, wines and spirits!

Later in the evening some families attend Christmas midnight mass at the local church.

To book restaurants, sightseeing & entertainment in Prague on Christmas Eve: Prague Christmas Planner