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What's Open in December in Prague
December is a magical month in the city. Tourists from around the world travel to Prague to visit the Christmas markets, and to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve here.
There is plenty of sightseeing and entertainment to participate in, but we do recommend booking tickets and making restaurant reservations in advance, as places often sell out. |
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WHAT'S OPEN during the Christmas Markets 2023
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From 20th November 2023
A local Christmas market opens at Peace Square (Náměstí Míru), just outside the city centre.
Aimed at Czech people (although everyone is welcome), the market is 15 minutes walk from Wenceslas Square.
From 25th November 2023
A small Christmas market opens at Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) in the city centre. | |
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From 26th November 2023
A local Christmas market opens at Tyl Square (Tylovo náměstí), just outside the city centre.
Aimed at Czech people (although everyone is welcome), the market is 15 minutes walk from Wenceslas Square.
From 29th November 2023
The first Christmas concerts are held in churches, concert halls and historic buildings. |
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In addition to the regular classical concerts, Christmas concerts are held in churches, concert halls and historic buildings.
Christmas ballet includes the ever-popular The Nutcracker.
There is a full schedule of opera at the city's stunning opera houses, plus typically Czech black light theatre productions.
Public transport: the Metro and trams run a normal service. | |
24th December 2023 (Christmas Eve): Public Holiday
The Christmas markets are open.
Christmas Eve is the most festive day of Christmas in Czechia, and is the one day a significant number of businesses close or have limited opening hours.
Most tourist attractions close, although the famous squares and Charles Bridge are of course open. Christmas Eve is a wonderfully peaceful day simply to stroll around the city.
Some Prague tours are run in the morning.
Trips outside Prague are not running.
The lunch and afternoon river cruises are the only boat trips operating.
Christmas concerts are held in concert halls, churches and historic buildings.
Christmas ballet includes The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
A limited number of restaurants are open, but even these have limited opening hours. Most restaurants book out in advance, so we advise making reservations.
Some local convenience stores and small shops are open.
Larger shops and shopping centres are either closed or only open until midday.
Public transport:
Daytime: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
16:00-18:00: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are limited trams.
18:00-24:00: Metro trains run in 20 minute intervals. Night trams run in 30 minute intervals.
24:00-07:00: Night trams run in 30 minute intervals.
The Petrin Funicular Railway operates 09:00-18:00.
More information on spending Christmas in Prague: Prague Christmas Planner. | |
25th-26th December 2023 (Christmas Holidays): Public Holidays
The Christmas markets are open.
Most tourist attractions, sightseeing tours and river cruises operate as normal.
Advance reservations are recommended as many places book out in advance.
Christmas concerts are held in concert halls, churches and historic buildings.
Christmas ballet includes The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
There is a performance of Mozart's opera, The Magic Flute at the Estates Theatre (one of the city's finest opera houses). Plus, there are typically Czech black light theatre productions.
Restaurants are open. Most book out in advance, so we advise making reservations.
Local convenience stores, small to medium sized shops, and some shopping centres are open. Large shops (over 200m2) are closed on the 25th and open on the 26th December.
Public transport:
Daytime: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
21:00-24:00 Metro trains run in 10 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
24:00-07:00: Night trams run in 30 minute intervals.
The Petrin Funicular Railway operates 09:00-23:20.
More information on spending Christmas in Prague: Prague Christmas Planner.
27th-30th December 2023
The Christmas markets are open.
Prague is very busy during this period. Tourists staying on in the city after Christmas are joined by an influx of visitors arriving for the New Year's Eve celebrations.
Most tourist attractions, sightseeing tours, river cruises and restaurants operate as normal. Advance reservations are recommended as many places book out in advance.
In addition to the regular classical concerts, Christmas concerts are held in churches, concert halls and historic buildings.
Christmas ballet includes The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
There is a choice of opera performances at the city's stunning opera houses, plus typically Czech black light theatre productions.
The shops have normal opening hours.
Public transport: the Metro and trams run a normal service. | |
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There is a sublime performance of the opera Ball im Savoy at the Prague State Opera.
Black light theatres stage early evening performances. |
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Restaurants, bars and clubs have extended opening hours, and many put on New Year's Eve parties with special menus. Advance reservations are essential.
Shops are open, but most close early.
Public transport: the Metro operates a normal service, extended until 02:00. Trains run in 10 minute intervals (last trains begin their journey around 01:45).
Trams operate a normal service until 22:00. From 22:00-07:00, night trams run in 20 minute intervals.
The Petrin Funicular Railway operates 09:00-22:00.
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More information on spending New Year's Eve in Prague: New Year's Eve.
1st January 2024 (New Year's Day): Public Holiday
The Christmas markets are open.
Most tourist attractions, sightseeing tours, river cruises and restaurants operate as normal. Advance reservations are recommended.
New Year's Day concerts and ballet are held in concert halls, churches and historic buildings.
The opera houses and black light theatres are open.
Local convenience stores, small to medium sized shops, and some shopping centres are open. Large shops (over 200m2) are closed.
Public transport: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
The Petrin Funicular Railway operates a normal service.
2nd-6th January 2024
The Christmas markets are open until the 6th January 2024.
Prague remains busy. Tourists staying on in the city after New Year's Eve are joined by Russian visitors arriving to celebrate Orthodox Christmas Day on 7th January.
Tourist attractions, sightseeing tours, river cruises and restaurants operate as normal. Advance reservations are recommended.
Classical concerts are held in the churches, concert halls and historic buildings.
There are several ballet performances to choose from, including The Nutcracker.
Black light theatres are open.
The shops have normal opening hours.
Public transport: the Metro and trams run a normal service. | | | |
More Information
For information on where to stay in Prague, the weather in December, what clothes to wear, and much more, read our guide to the Prague Christmas Markets.
For a list of Christmas events: Events in Prague in December.
For an introduction to the city: Prague tourism information.
For practical information, including advice on currency exchange: Prague tourist information.
For travel advice: Travel to Prague and Travel around Prague by Public Transport.
For an easy way to visit Prague, the Prague Package includes a hotel, Prague airport transfers, sightseeing and entertainment. |
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 CHRISTMAS 2023
KEY DATES | |
XMAS MARKETS
Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square
02 Dec-06 Jan
Daily 10:00-22:00
Entry is free
Prague Castle
02 Dec-06 Jan
Mon-Thu 09:00-18:00
Fri-Sun 09:00-19:00
Entry is free
Republic Square
25 Nov-30 Dec
Daily 10:00-22:00
Entry is free
Peace Square
20 Nov-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-20:00
Entry is free
Tyl Square
26 Nov-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-20:00
Entry is free | |
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LAMP LIGHTING
Charles Bridge
Daily 16:00 | |
TREE LIGHTING
Old Town Square
Daily 16:30
Wenceslas Square
Daily 17:00 | |
MIKULAS DAY
Old Town Square
05 Dec 2023
16:00-18:00 | |
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XMAS EVE
24 Dec 2023
-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
24-26 Dec 2023
What's open at Christmas: restaurants, entertainment & sightseeing | |
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ICE RINKS
Čapadlo, Smetanovo nábřeží, Old Town
02 Dec-31 Jan
Daily 10:00-21:00
Ovocny trh (square behind Estates Theatre), Old Town
05 Dec-31 Jan
Daily 10:00-21:00
Na Frantisku Sports Centre, Old Town
02 Dec-31 Mar
Mon-Fri 08:00-17:30; Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00/18:00 | |
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NEW YEAR'S EVE
31 Dec 2023
Festivities & Fireworks | |
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