Christmas Eve in Prague: 24 December 2025

Christmas Eve in Prague

Prague can be especially charming when the squares and bridges are dusted with snow or a heavy frost, which gives everything a real 'olden day' charm.

There are opportunities for sightseeing, entertainment, and dining, but not not everywhere is open, and opening times are generally limited. So the day does take a little planning.

There is also ballet, with both The Nutcracker and Swan Lake on offer at Broadway Theatre.

For dining and refreshments, not all pubs and restaurants are open on Christmas Eve, and those that are have limited opening hours. Reservations for both lunch and dinner are essential, as most places book out.

The atmosphere in bars and restaurants tends to be one of quiet, festive celebration.

Church services that operate every year include:

Tyn Church at Old Town Square holds a mass at 16:30. Entrance is free, just turn up.

On the stage at Old Town Square, an open-air Christmas mass is held at 21:00. Entrance is free, just turn up.

Midnight Mass is held at Strahov Monastery Basilica (and other churches). Entrance is free, just turn up.

Czech people generally spend the afternoon of Christmas Eve at home with their family, dressing the Christmas tree and preparing food for the evening celebrations.

During the daytime on Christmas Eve, Czechs must abstain from eating meat. Instead, they will eat sauerkraut soup or something similar. This ensures they see the golden piglet, which will bring them wealth in the year ahead.

In Prague, for example, live carp are sold on the streets at Republic Square (Namesti republiky).

Once the fish has been brought home, it is kept alive in the bath. Then, in the afternoon of Christmas Eve, the fish is prepared, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried.

No-one knows what Jezisek looks like or how he does it, but after dinner, when the family moves from the dining room to the lounge, presents will have magically appeared under the Christmas tree. Children are amazed at how this has happened while everyone was eating, and without anyone noticing. But that is the wonder of Christmas.

For adults, there is also a good supply of Czech beer, wines and local spirits (Slivovica, Becherovka and Fernet Stock).

Later on, it is traditional for some people to attend midnight mass at their local church.