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Prague Christmas Markets » 30th November 2024 - 6th January 2025
The Prague Christmas Markets are open daily at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. A 'winter wonderland' awaits visitors. Soak up the festive atmosphere, listen to Christmas music, and browse the stalls for hand-crafted goods, hearty food and local drinks - photos |
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| | In addition, smaller and local Christmas markets are held in other parts of the city:
Small Christmas markets (city centre):
-Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky).
25th November 2024 to 24th December 2024. Opening hours are daily 10:00-20:00.
-Na Kampě Square (Na Kampě) by Charles Bridge in Lesser Town.
29th November 2024 to 01st January 2025. Opening hours are daily 10:00-20:00.
-Havel's Market (Havelské tržiště) in between Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.
The only permanent market in the city centre adopts a festive feel.
From late November to early January. Opening hours are daily 06:00-18:30.
Local Christmas markets (near the city centre and aimed at Czech people, but everyone is welcome):
-Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) - 15 minutes walk from Wenceslas Square.
20th November 2024 to 24th December 2024. Opening hours are daily 10:00-20:00.
-Tyl Square (Tylovo náměstí) - 15 minutes walk from Wenceslas Square.
26th November 2024 to 24th December 2024. Opening hours are daily 10:00-19:00. | | | | What are the Prague Christmas Markets?
Christmas markets (Vánoční trhy) are a key ingredient of the festive magic in Czechia, and the Prague markets are the most impressive in the country. They light up the city, bringing locals and visitors together in a true 'winter wonderland' setting.
The Prague Christmas Markets consist of brightly decorated wooden huts, stocked with local handicrafts and traditional Christmas treats. | | 
Christmas Market stall | |
Among the wares on offer on the stalls are handmade ceramics, jewellery, glassware, embroidered lace, wooden toys, nativity scenes, candles, Christmas tree ornaments, handcrafted blankets and tablecloths, winter hats and gloves, and puppets and dolls dressed in traditional costume.
While visitors should find some nice souvenirs to take home with them, to enhance their own decorations or to use as Christmas gifts, the markets are about more than shopping.
All manner of hearty Czech cuisine and local drinks are available to sample, much of it prepared and cooked in front of you. |
| | | Popular food on offer includes: hams roasted on spits (šunka); terribly unhealthy but wonderfully tasty barbecued sausages (klobása); flatbread topped with garlic, cheese and ketchup (langoš); chips (hranolky); smoked meat dumplings (knedlíky plněné uzeným masem); sweet dumplings (sladké knedlíky); pancakes and crêpes (palačinky); various local cheeses; and roasted chestnuts. | | 
Food at the Christmas Markets | |
Czech Christmas fish soup (rybí polévka) is cooked in huge cauldrons. Over 1,500 kilograms of carp, vegetables, cream and brandy go into making the soup each year.
There are lots of cakes and sweets too, such as spicy gingerbread (perníčky) and a hot sweet pastry called chimney cake (trdelník).
Trdelník is made from rolled dough that is wrapped around a stick, baked on an open fire, then topped with a sugar and walnut mix. It is delicious on its own, but you can also order it with chocolate spread inside, and/or filled with ice-cream.
A word of warning to parents: once a child has tasted trdelník, there is no going back - its comforting, sweet addictive nature means you will be pestered endlessly for another hit! |
| | For drinks, visitors can sample famous Czech beers like Pilsner Urquell, Budvar and Staropramen (brewed in Prague). There is also mead (medovina), cider, and even a Champagne stall.
Alternatively, opt for a hot drink: mulled wine (svařák or svařené víno); hot chocolate (horká čokoláda); hot apple (jablíčko); punch (punč); or grog - hot water, rum, lemon and sugar.
Outdoor Christmas shopping is so much nicer with a cup of mulled wine or a cold beer in hand! | | 
Trdelník baking | |
Eco Markets
There is an emphasis on sourcing local produce and materials to lower the carbon footprint of the markets, and to support regional businesses.
Most products sold on the stalls have been made or grown in Czechia or the surrounding Central European countries: the trees used to make the wooden ornaments are felled in Czechia, while the glass, metals and textiles used to craft other wares has been produced in nearby towns and villages. |
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Where possible, the ingredients used to make the food and drinks are sourced in Czechia: the Christmas fish soup is made with carp from Czech rivers and lakes, and the vegetables from local farms; Czech meat is used in the sausages and hamburgers; the hams are from Czech pigs; the beer is exclusively Czech (of course!); and the red wine used in the svařák is made from Czech grapes from Moravia.
Drinks are served in recycled cups made of rPET or in returnable cups. Look out for the "Cup Collectors" strapped to the side of rubbish bins.
Where possible, plates, cutlery and straws are made of recycled materials or are biodegradable. |
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Christmas Trees
The most impressive sight of all is the mighty 22m Christmas tree at the Old Town Square. It is felled in the Liberec region of Czechia before being transported to Prague by lorry. | | 
Old Town Square Christmas tree | |
The tree is dressed with giant Christmas stars and red and gold baubles, and is draped in a blaze of 110,000 LED lights. It is a spectacular sight set against the dark Gothic skyline.
A tree lighting ceremony accompanied by rousing classical music occurs daily at: 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, 21:30. The musical piece is the famous 'Vltava' by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana.
Wenceslas Square, meanwhile, has a 15m tree from the Hradec Králové region of Czechia. |
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DESIGN of the Prague Christmas Markets | | 
Old Town Square Xmas market | |
The design of the Prague Christmas Markets is inspired by snowy typical Czech village scenes combined with the traditional Christmas colours.
The wooden huts are adorned with red or white roofs; decorations are coloured vibrant red, green, gold and white; there is a lot of green foliage; and bright warm white lights illuminate everything from the trees and Observation Bridge to giant wired angels and forest animals. |
| | CHRISTMAS MUSIC | CHRISTMAS CAROLS
On a stage at the Old Town Square, musicians, dance troupes and folk groups dressed in traditional costumes perform short routines every day from 4pm (sometimes earlier) to 7pm. | | 
Music at the Old Town Square | |
The programme features a variety of performances, with an emphasis on Christmas music and festive dance routines.
Most performers are from Czechia, although some hail from elsewhere in Central Europe, and even further afield.
But what is Christmas without carols? School choirs make several appearances, with children dressed in traditional costumes travelling from all over the country to perform.
Music from the stage is relayed via speakers throughout the market, enhancing the festive feel for all visitors. |
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| Wenceslas Square has a stage too, putting on its own Christmas themed performances, but on a smaller scale. Here, performers appear Thursday to Sunday, from 4pm to 6pm. | |
Other Attractions
Both the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square markets have large nativity scenes built from wood and straw, depicting Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the Three Kings. | | 
Ice rink at Wenceslas Square | |
Children's workshops are held at the Old Town Square every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00-15:00, either on the stage or in a wooden children's activities hut.
Helpers teach children how to make Czech Christmas decorations.
An open-air ice rink at Wenceslas Square enhances the festive winter atmosphere. Skaters of all levels are welcome to join in, and skates are available for hire at the rink.
(ice rinks are at other locations in the city too - December events in Prague.) |
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| Also at Wenceslas Square, at blacksmith demonstrates the traditional craft of metal working. |
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Photo Opportunities | | 
Observation Bridge, Old Town | |
The Observation Bridge (free to enter) at the Old Town Square is a terrific place from which to take photos of the Christmas Markets. Climb the steps to the platform and take in the view.
For a higher vantage point, climb the Old Town Hall Tower (entrance fee applies). From the top, enjoy magnificent views over the Old Town Square and as far away as Prague Castle.
Street level photography is of course another option. Amongst the market stalls, you can take vivid, close up shots of the colourful wares, and of the food and drink being prepared. |
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Weather in December in Prague
The weather in December in Prague is highly changeable.
The average temperature is -1°C (30°F), but it can deviate dramatically in either direction.
There are bright and sunny, relatively warm periods when temperatures rise to 10°C (50°F). Equally, there can be heavy bouts of snow that last several days or weeks, when temperatures drop to -10°C (25°F) or even as low as -15°C (5°F).
Clothes to Wear
For sightseeing, entertainment and dining, most tourist establishments in Prague welcome visitors dressed in casual attire. This includes for classical concerts in churches.
However, you should dress reasonably smartly when attending the opera houses, at the grand concert halls, and in the high-end restaurants. | | 
Wenceslas Square Xmas market | |
To protect yourself against the elements, bring a warm winter jacket, hat and gloves. Many visitors pack thermals or base layers too!
If you get caught out by the weather, there are shops that can help. These include department stores like Marks & Spencer, shoe shops such as Bata, and specialist outdoor clothing and footwear stores like Rock Point.
Hats and gloves can also be purchased from market stalls and souvenir shops.
Prague is a wonderful city to explore on foot, so wear comfortable walking shoes or boots during the day. |
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MONEY at the markets
Cash: Cash is still preferred by the majority of stall holders at the Christmas markets. All stalls accept payment in Czech Crowns. A limited number also accept payment in Euros.
Cashless Payments: Pay by Mobile (via Google Pay and Apple Pay) and credit/debit cards (including contactless cards) are accepted at a growing number of market stalls, but not all.
Find out more about the
Czech currency and money exchange in Prague. | |
Where to Stay in Prague
The district of Prague 1 is the best place to stay in Prague. This is the city centre and it is where most of the sightseeing, entertainment and nightlife is located.
Prague 1 is also where the Christmas Markets are held. | | 
Hotels in Prague 1 | |
Prague 1 is compact and highly pedestrianised, and is itself split into several areas.
The two most popular areas to stay within Prague 1 are the Old Town, which has the Old Town Square at its heart, and the New Town, which has
Wenceslas Square at its heart.
The third most popular area is the Lesser Town. This lies across the river from the Old Town, and can be easily reached from it by strolling across Charles Bridge.
All areas of Prague 1 are within easy walking distance of each other. |
| | By staying in Prague 1, whenever you fancy dropping in to the Christmas Markets, you can leave your hotel and be in the midst of the action in minutes.
Browse the stalls, soak up the atmosphere, grab a drink and a hot snack, then when you're ready to freshen up it's just a short walk back to base.
And in Prague 1, the sights, tourist attractions, museums, theatres, concert halls, restaurants and shops will all be nearby. | | 
See the sights in Prague | |
Sightseeing AT CHRISTMAS
Sightseeing in Prague is a wondrous experience all year round, with magnificent squares and cobbled back streets to explore, and awe-inspiring monuments to visit. Behind it all is a dramatic history waiting to be discovered.
The festive atmosphere lends the city an even greater charm than usual, so be sure to allow enough time in your itinerary simply to wander and explore, and to stop off along the way to sample the local hospitality - there are many warm and welcoming pubs, bars and cafés in Prague.
Having said this, we do advise booking at least one Prague tour. There are fascinating historical tales wrapped up in the monuments, which only an expert guide can reveal. A professional local guide truly can bring the city to life for you. |
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| The sights and attractions are open every day of the Christmas season except Christmas Eve. | |
River Cruises At Christmas
The Vltava River flows through the heart of the city and many famous sights line its banks. This makes river cruises an ideal way to experience the unique ambience of Prague.
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Christmas River Cruises | |
A boat trip is also the easiest way to see the sights: just sit back and relax with a drink, and take it all in!
Throughout December, all boats are heated and have Christmas decorations, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience no matter the weather: river cruises at Christmas.
An additional sightseeing cruise, the Advent River Cruise, runs every Saturday and Sunday in the build up to Christmas. Guests are served a mug of hot mulled wine (or tea) and a traditional cake, and Christmas music is played onboard. |
| | | From river cruises to walking tours to bus tours, there are so many ways to uncover the wonder of Prague this Christmas. | |
Entertainment in Prague
There is entertainment galore on offer throughout the time of the Christmas markets, including traditional Czech nights and Medieval feasts, a wide range of Christmas concerts, and festive ballet and opera performances.
Classical Concerts
We particularly recommend attending a classical concert. Performances are staged in grand concert halls, ornate opera houses and theatres, Baroque palaces, and ancient churches. All are magical at this time of year.
Churches host the most wondrous Christmas concerts, such as: St. Nicholas, Tyn, St. Martin in the Wall and St. Giles in the Old Town; St. Clements, St. Salvator and St. Francis at Charles Bridge;
and St. George's Basilica at Prague Castle. | |
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Another notable production at
Municipal House is 'Christmas Music & The Nativity', which is part concert, part theatrical event. It is a highly visual performance by the Prague Symphony Orchestra, Kuhn Choir and a cast of actors (19,20,21 December).
Insider Tip: The National Theatre in Prague is associated most with ballet, however in December visitors can experience the grandeur of this stunning neo-Renaissance building by attending an 'Advent Concert'. The special 11am concerts are performed by the National Theatre Orchestra and the Czech Philharmonic Children’s Choir. Prague Experience still has exclusive tickets for 08,15 December. | |
The best concerts in Prague always sell out at Christmas, so we advise booking tickets early:
• December Concerts
• January Concerts | |
Opera
The opera and ballet season is in full swing at Christmas, with spectacular productions staged at all three Prague opera houses: Prague State Opera, Estates Theatre and National Theatre. | |
 Magic Flute at Estates Theatre | |
Audiences can look forward to seeing Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre (10,15 December 2024), where Mozart personally conducted its world premiere in 1787.
Another stand-out performance is Mozart's fairy tale opera, The Magic Flute (13 December 2024), which is ideal family fare for Christmas.
As it is holiday season, the opera Hansel and Gretel inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale is appearing at the Prague State Opera (05,10,12,15,21 December 2024). Always delightful. |
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Other productions at the opera houses include La Boheme (Rossini), Madama Butterfly (Rossini), Tosca (Puccini), Turandot (Puccini), Hansel and Gretel (Humperdinck), Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (Rossini), The Devil and Kate (Dvořák), The Bartered Bride (Smetana), Carmen (Bizet), The Cunning Little Vixen (Janáček) and La Traviata (Verdi):
• December Opera
• January Opera | |
 Nutcracker at Broadway Theatre | |
Ballet
Festive productions are a prominent feature of the repertoire at all Prague theatres, and Tchaikovsky's ever-popular ballet The Nutcracker is staged at Broadway Theatre. Tickets are still available for the following dates:
05,09,19,21,22,24,25,27,30 December 2024;
01 January 2025
Listings & Tickets |
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All ballet performances during the festive season:
• December Ballet
• January Ballet | |
Black Light Theatre
If you are seeking a typically Czech experience, black light theatres in Prague put on shows that are highly visual. They can be enjoyed by all ages and nationalities:
• December Theatre
• January Theatre
| | TRADITIONAL Czech night & Medieval TAVERN
For the best in local hospitality, consider the Traditional Czech Night and the Medieval Tavern. Both are 'all-inclusive' events, well suited to a cold winter's night. | |
other Christmas events
December Christmas events | January Christmas events | |
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Public transport runs a good service every day throughout the time of the Christmas markets, with only minor alterations to the schedule on 24th December, 31st December and 1st January. Our Christmas Planner and New Year's Eve Planner are updated in December with all the latest travel information.
Old Town Square Christmas markets
Metro station: Staroměstská (line A), Můstek (lines A & B), Namesti Republiky (line B)
Tram stop: Staroměstská (trams 1,2,13,17,18,25)
Wenceslas Square Christmas markets
Metro station: Muzeum (lines A & C), Můstek (lines A & B)
Tram stop: Václavské namesti (trams 3,5,6,9,14,24,25)
For travel information: Travel around Prague by public transport and Travel to Prague. | | | |
WHAT'S On at Christmas (24-26 December) in Prague
For information on spending Christmas in Prague:
-24th December: Christmas Eve in Prague
-24th-26th December: Christmas Planner
WHAT'S On over New Year's Eve (31 December) in Prague
For information on the New Year's Eve celebrations:
-31st December: New Year's Eve
-31st December: New Year's Eve Planner.
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More Information
Find out what's open throughout December: Christmas opening hours.
For an introduction to the city: Prague tourism information.
For practical information, including advice on currency exchange: Prague tourist information.
For an easy way to visit Prague, the Prague Package includes a hotel, Prague airport transfers, sightseeing and entertainment. |
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 CHRISTMAS 2024
KEY DATES | |
XMAS MARKETS
Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square
30 Nov-06 Jan
Daily 10:00-22:00 | |
SMALL MARKETS
Peace Square
20 Nov-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-20:00
Republic Square
25 Nov-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-20:00
Tyl Square
26 Nov-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-19:00
Na Kampě Square
29 Nov-01 Jan
Daily 10:00-20:00 | |
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TREE LIGHTING
Old Town Square
30 Nov-06 Jan
Daily 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, 21:30 | |
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LAMP LIGHTING
Charles Bridge
01-23 Dec
Daily 16:10-16:30 | |
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ICE RINKS
Na Frantisku, Old Town
15 Nov-28 Feb
Daily 08:00-19:00/22:00
Letná Park
16 Nov-23 Feb
Daily 09:00-22:00
Wenceslas Square
01 Dec-16 Feb
Daily 09:00-22:00
Tower Park:
Žižkov
01 Dec-28 Feb
Mon-Fri: 15:00-20:00; Sat-Sun: 09:00-20:00
Ovocny trh, Old Town
05 Dec-31 Jan
Daily 10:00-21:00 | |
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MIKULAS DAY
Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square
05 Dec
16:00-19:00 | |
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XMAS EVE
24 Dec 2024
-16:00 Christmas Mass for children at various churches
-16:30 Christmas Mass at Tyn Church
-21:00 Open-air Christmas Mass at Old Town Square
-24:00 Midnight Mass at Strahov & other churches | |
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XMAS PLANNER
What's open at Christmas: restaurants, entertainment & sightseeing
24-26 Dec 2024 | |
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NEW YEAR'S EVE
Festivities & Fireworks
31 Dec 2024 | |
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THREE KINGS
Charles Bridge
03 Jan 2025
15:30-16:45 | |
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Municipal House: Smetana Hall
