Prague Christmas Markets: 29th November 2025 - 6th January 2026

Christmas Markets 2025

The main Christmas markets are held at the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) in the centre of Prague.

The two squares are 5 minutes walk from each other.

Opening hours are 10:00-22:00. Entry is free.

The Prague Christmas Markets consist of brightly decorated wooden huts, stocked with local handicrafts and traditional Christmas treats.

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.

Food on offer includes: large 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.

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.

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!

Alternatively, opt for a hot drink: mulled wine (svařák or svařené víno); hot mead or honey wine (medovina); hot apple (jablíčko); punch (punč); hot chocolate (horká čokoláda); 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!

Products sold on the stalls have mostly been made or grown in Czechia or the surrounding Central European countries.

Trees are felled in Czechia to make the wooden ornaments.

Glass, metals and textiles used to craft handmade wares are produced in nearby towns and villages.

Food and drink ingredients are sourced in Czechia: the Christmas fish soup is made with carp from Czech rivers and lakes, and the vegetables are grown on 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 in the svařák is made from Moravian grapes.

A tree lighting ceremony accompanied by rousing classical music ('Vltava' by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana) takes place daily at: 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, 21:30.

Wenceslas Square, meanwhile, has its own tree, measuring 15m and hailing from the Hradec Králové region of Czechia.

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.

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.

At Wenceslas Square, a blacksmith demonstrates the traditional craft of metal working.

An open-air ice rink at Wenceslas Square enhances the festive winter atmosphere. Skaters of all levels are welcome. Skates are available for hire at the rink.

(view a list of ice rinks: November-January events)

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.

If you get caught out by the weather, there are shops that can help: department stores such as Marks & Spencer, shoe shops like Bata, and specialist outdoor clothing and footwear shops such as 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.

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, a quieter area of Prague located on the other side of the Vltava River. From here, the Old Town and New Town can easily be reached by strolling across Charles Bridge.

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.

The sights and attractions are open every day of the Christmas season, except on Christmas Eve.

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.

Another notable production is 'Christmas Music & The Nativity', which is part concert, part theatrical event. This highly visual performance by the Prague Symphony Orchestra, Kuhn Choir and a cast of actors is staged at two venues: Municipal House and St. Simon & St. Jude Church (not available to book yet).

Ball im Savoy, an opera full of love, dance and comedic twists, is often performed at the Prague State Opera.

Puccini's opera La bohème, which is set on Christmas Eve, is another popular staging.

Other productions last year included 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).

The National Theatre production of The Nutcracker is the most sought-after show of the Christmas season in Prague. If you wish to attend a performance, we strongly advise booking tickets as soon as they are released. Performances tend to sell out within weeks.

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 market

Metro station: Muzeum (lines A & C), Můstek (lines A & B)

Tram stop: Václavské namesti (trams 3,5,6,9,14,24,25).