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New Year's Eve in Prague » 31st December 2023
New Year's Eve in Prague is party night, and the restaurants, bars, clubs and river cruises are always full. The atmosphere gently builds towards midnight, when revellers gather to watch fireworks and welcome in the New Year. |
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New Year's Eve in Prague 2023 | |
Revellers travel from around the world to celebrate New Year's Eve in Prague. The vibrant, party atmosphere permeates the city: out on the streets, on the river, in the squares, and in the bars, clubs and restaurants.
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The festivities are enjoyed by one and all: the young and old, the quiet and romantic, and the wild and carefree. Prague offers something for everyone.
Some bars, clubs and restaurants organise all-inclusive events, featuring fine food, entertainment, drinks and dancing. These range from internationally themed parties to beer hall nights.
Some restaurants specialise in local Czech hospitality, such as the Traditional Czech Night and Medieval Tavern, which will be available to book in October 2023.
Other restaurants offer a simple romantic dinner for two. | |
New Year's Eve in Prague |
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Of course, there are revellers who prefer not to organise anything, but to pub crawl, drink beer on the streets, and chance on finding a club that will let them in after midnight.
Finally, there are the ever popular New Year's Eve river cruises, such as the Grand Panoramic Cruise, which will be available to book in October 2023.
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New Year's Eve Planner 2023-2024
Our New Year's Eve Planner is the main guide to the celebrations. It features the best Prague New Year's Eve river cruises, restaurants, clubs and parties. | | | |
Midnight Fireworks - Where to Watch
The fireworks are the peak of the New Year's Eve celebrations in Prague. As midnight approaches, crowds gather at key areas around the city, and the air buzzes with anticipation.
Traditionally, the choice of where to watch the fireworks has been to either head for somewhere overlooking the river, or to mix with the crowd at one of the main squares (Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square).
But, in 2023 it is difficult to predict how big the fireworks will be:
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While most venues in Prague will be running at full capacity on New Year's Eve, for some, this be the first time they have thrown a party since 2019 - who can predict how many fireworks will be launched?; Secondly, in recent years the law governing setting off fireworks has been made tougher. Last year most Czechs appeared to ignore this, and there were fireworks everywhere - the locals do have a rebellious streak! What will they do this year?
So, please bear the above in mind as you continue with this article.
The river cruises, restaurants, bars and clubs time their entertainment programmes to ensure guests can watch the fireworks and welcome in the New Year in style; many venues include Champagne or sparkling wine to celebrate with in the price of the ticket.
If you are on a river cruise, or at a restaurant with a viewing terrace, you can watch the fireworks from where you are. Staff can advise where to position yourself for the best view.
If you are at a restaurant or club away from the fireworks, people often choose to leave before midnight, walk to watch the fireworks, then return afterwards to continue the party - all clubs and restaurants we list in our planner will allow you back in. | |
OPTION 1 - GUIDE TO WATCHING FIREWORKS BY THE RIVER:
Charles Bridge is usually the focal point for New Year's Eve celebrations by the river.
With the backdrop of the Old Town on one side of the river, and Prague Castle and the Lesser Town on the other, revellers can admire the beauty of fireworks over water.
The fireworks are mostly set off from around Prague Castle and other elevated areas, sometimes from barges on the river too. If spectators position themselves by the river, particularly near Charles Bridge, they should enjoy a good view. | |
| Where to watch fireworks by the river: | |
a. Stand on Charles Bridge or in the streets along the river embankments. The Old Town side of the river is the most popular, because you look across the water to Prague Castle;
b. River Cruises: most boats congregate at Charles Bridge at midnight. Guests on the cruises can view the fireworks from inside the boat or out on deck;
c. Riverside Restaurants: restaurants on both sides of the river offer views of the fireworks. Some restaurants have large windows, others terraces, so guests can watch the fireworks from their table or out on the terrace;
d. Hillside Restaurants in the Lesser Town (on Petrin Hill and near Prague Castle): some restaurants have large windows, others terraces, so guests can watch the fireworks from their table or out on the terrace. | |
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OPTION 2 - GUIDE TO WATCHING FIREWORKS AT THE SQUARES:
Traditionally, Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square have been the most hair-raising places in Prague to watch the fireworks. With so many people in the squares, and fireworks seemingly everywhere, the atmosphere has always been electric.
The aerial fireworks provided a good show, but the most impactful were the huge blasts and flashes of light coming from all directions at street level. These fireworks were set off by ordinary Czechs, and the show would go on for hours.
In recent years, hand-held fireworks have been banned, and the law governing aerial fireworks has been tightened. Last year, many Czechs ignored this. Hand-held fireworks were everywhere at the squares, and the sky was illuminated with aerial fireworks. What happens in 2023 is therefore anybody's guess!
Whatever the extent of the fireworks, the Christmas markets will still be at the squares, the restaurants and bars around the squares will be full, there will be aerial fireworks, and people will be milling around with bottles of Bohemia Sekt (Czech Champagne) in hand. | |
Where to watch fireworks at the squares:
a. Stand in a Square: all restaurants, bars and clubs located in the Old Town and New Town lie within 10 minutes walk of a square. If there are fireworks at the squares and you are at a venue elsewhere, grab your coat, get a re-admission stamp from the door, and head for a square.
b. Restaurants and Clubs at the Squares: some venues at the squares have large windows or an outside terrace overlooking the square. If there are fireworks at the squares, guests can watch them from their table or from out on the terrace. | |
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OPTION 3 - RESTAURANTS WITH THEIR OWN FIREWORKS:
Some New Year's Eve restaurants put on their own fireworks display. This is a good option if you prefer everything, including fireworks, to be organised by the venue:
-The Traditional Czech Night organises its own fireworks display outside the venue.
-Nebozizek Restaurant is located on a hillside in Prague. From inside the restaurant and out on the terrace, where they also have a bonfire, guests can view fireworks over the whole city. | | | |
Other Entertainment in Prague
Other entertainment in Prague around New Year's Eve includes festive classical concerts, and opera and ballet performances. All are magical at this time of year.
Performances are held in grand concert halls, stunning opera houses, beautiful churches and other historic buildings:
New Year's Eve concerts, opera & ballet
New Year's Day concerts, opera & ballet
For a typically Czech experience, black light theatre is suitable for all ages and nationalities:
New Year's Eve theatre. | | | |
More Information
For more information on the night and a list of events: Prague New Year's Eve Planner.
For information on where to stay, the weather in December, what clothes to wear, and much more, read our guide to the Prague Christmas Markets.
Find out what's open throughout December: opening times.
For an introduction to the city: Prague tourism information.
For practical information, including currency exchange advice: Prague tourist information.
For travel advice: Travel to Prague and Travel around Prague by Public Transport. | |
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