Easter in Prague: 3–6 April 2026

The Czech word for Easter, 'Velikonoce', comes from the expression 'velká noc' ('great night'), referring to the day of Christ’s resurrection.

However, Easter in Prague is more than a religious celebration. It also marks the arrival of spring - a time when new life is celebrated, with folk traditions playing a central role in the festivities.

At the Easter Markets, baby rabbits and newborn lambs are symbolised in cakes and chocolates, Easter eggs are painted with images of chicks, and birch branches in blossom are decorated with bright ribbons, symbolising vitality and warmer days ahead.

At the Old Town Square Easter market, a stage hosts folk musicians and dance troupes. Dressed in traditional costume, performers showcase Czech music and festive dances.

Beyond the markets, visitors can explore the city with a Prague sightseeing tour, take a river cruise, or attend one of the many classical concerts held throughout the Easter period.

There are cosy pubs, pavement cafés and excellent restaurants to relax in. While a wide range of concerts, opera and ballet performances take place in magnificent concert halls, ornate opera houses and historic churches.

For dining, view menus and make reservations in our restaurants section.

For sightseeing and entertainment, explore the Prague Experience website for suitable tours, concerts and events running over the Easter weekend.

Easter Preparations: Wednesday to Friday

On 'Green Thursday' boys equip themselves with wooden rattles, called 'rehtacka', and in groups they walk through their village shaking their rattles vigorously. Tradition dictates that this scares off Judas.

The same walk is repeated on 'Good Friday' and again on 'White Saturday'. However, on White Saturday progress is slowed by the boys stopping at every house, where they shake their rattles until they receive a present!

Easter Sunday

This is a skilled affair with many variations on the decoration: a mix of watercolours, picture stickers, bee's wax, straw, and/or feathers.

For particularly well decorated eggs there is even an Easter egg contest held annually in Prague.

This is not the type of whip used on horses. Instead, it is made from osier twigs, braided together. Once again, this takes skill to make, and the more twigs the more difficult it is to braid.

Visitors will see examples of these whips in the Prague markets, should they wish to participate!

Easter Monday

The boys stop at various homes to gently whip the legs of the girls who live there. Small boys are required to recite an Easter carol as they go about their whipping.

As if the whipping is not enough, an old custom is to also grab the girl and throw her in a bath of cold water, known as an 'Easter dousing'.

The whipping and dousing is performed to chase away illness and bad spirits - although she may not appreciate it at the time, all this is supposed to be good for the girl!

As the boys progress through the village, their bags fill with eggs, and with so many ribbons attached, the whips become ever more colourful.

In recent times, for older boys gifts of eggs and ribbons have given way to offers of shots of alcohol. By the time they arrive home, the young men can be in quite a happy frame of mind!