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Mikulas (St. Nicholas Day) in Prague » 05th December 2023
Mikulas, St. Nicholas Day, is on the 5th December and marks the start of Christmas for Czech people. Head for the Old Town Square late afternoon to observe the traditional events unfold - Mikulas photos. |
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Mikulas (St. Nicholas Day) - from 4pm
Around 4pm on the 5th December, three figures slowly move around the Old Town Square, in and out of the Christmas markets. They are St. Nicholas, an Angel and a Devil.
Surrounding them are a throng of small children, gazing in awe, but with some apprehension. Their parents meanwhile look on with masked grins.
Glance around the square and there are several such groupings, for today is Mikulas. |
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Czech children raised on stories of Mikulas know precisely what to expect. St. Nicholas will ask each and everyone of them if they have been a good child during the past year.
Most children naturally say yes and will be asked to sing a song or recite a short poem, after which they are rewarded with a small present or a sweet.
But if St. Nicholas suspects they have been naughty, well! Naughty children don't get sweets, they get
lumps of coal or hard potatoes. And if they have been really naughty, they will find themselves in the Devil's sack and sent to
hell! | |  |
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 | | With this in mind, small children are understandably worried by the presence of the Devil. So when St. Nicholas and his entourage approach, the children sing their song or recite their poem with great gusto.
Needless to say, Mikulas acts as a strong incentive to be good throughout the year!
The tradition of Mikulas is thought to derive from a 4th century Christian saint, Nikolaos of Myra, who, it is said, secretly gave gifts to people. |
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| On the day of Mikulas, the Christmas markets are in full swing. Buy a hot drink from one of the stalls, perhaps some food, and observe this wonderful tradition unfold. |
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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
*02 Dec-06 Jan
Daily 10:00-22:00
Entry is free
Peace Square
*02 Dec-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-19:00
Entry is free |
| | *The markets are likely to start one week earlier, on 25th November, but the authorities will only decide this in October - any developments will be posted here first |
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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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