Our Golden City looks especially romantic and particularly friendly during the time of Advent and Christmas.

Maintaining the rich advent tradition is very popular in Prague. Amateur choirs take part in this competition. Open Air concert performances will be held in the Old Town Square, enhancing the seasonal magic of Prague Christmas Fair. The festival is taking place under the auspices of the City of Prague and of the Union of Czech Choirs.

Markets run daily throughout December and take place at the Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square, with smaller ones operating at Namesti Republiky and Havelske Trziste (10 minutes walking distance of each other), also at Náměstí Míru and the Holešovice Exhibition Grounds.

28th November 2009 – 1st January 2010
Mon-Fri: 09h-19h
Sat-Sun: 09h-20h.

The Prague Christmas markets consist of brightly decorated huts where you can buy a variety of traditional Czech products – handicrafts, sausages and local specialties and especially warm drinks like hot wine.

The dominant is the Christmas tree which comes from the Krkonose mountains in the North of the Czech Republic. The tree is adorned with lights which are turned on every day round 5pm.

360 Degree Panorama View of Christmas Markets at the Old Town Square.

Chose one of our exciting private walking tours and discover even more.

Czech Christmas

Barbara´s Day, December 4th
People put cherry branches into a vase. If they have bloomed by Christmas Eve, expect a wedding.

St Nicholas’s Eve, December 5th
In the run-up to Christmas you can catch the original Santa Claus himself as he wanders the streets of Prague, dispensing material justice to children and drinking beer on his Saint’s day. Jolly old saint Nicholas is accompanied by an angel and a devil on his wanderings under the Christmas trees and fireworks of Charles Bridge. The trio represents the three spiritual mechanisms of confession (Nicholas), punishment (the Devil) and reward (the Angel). The Devil metes out coal to the miscreants and rascals of the previous year, while the angel gives (goodie) goodies to the well behaved. The saint takes to the streets on the eve of his Saint’s day, which falls on the sixth of December every year. The day before is known as ‘little Christmas’ locally.

Christmas Eve, December 24th
If you wish to see a golden pig, you must fast the whole day. In the evening, every household is lit up by a Christmas tree, which is usually richly decorated.  Beneath it a pile of wrapped presents is awaiting the family after dinner. Fried carp and potato salad are traditionally served. A fish scale under the plate is meant to guarantee a sufficient amount of money for the coming year. Even today, an apple is cut at the table, and if it reveals a star the next year will be favourable.

December 25th-26th
This time is usually devoted for meeting relatives. In many places Nativity scenes are exhibited.

Merry Christmas!

Private Prague Guide Team