Neither Christmas nor New Year in Prague strive for perfection. Here, there are no polished shop windows but wooden stalls with mulled wine; no flawless Santas, but devils and angels competing for children’s attention. And it is precisely in this imperfection that all the charm lies. The city celebrates not for postcards, but for people who simply know how to enjoy December.
Audio guide to Prague's Old TownThe best way to experience this atmosphere is to follow the lights and the music. And if you want to know what lies behind the facades and legends of the old city, turn on the Prague audio guide from TouringBee. It will show you the same festive Prague – only a little closer, as if you were walking through it with a local friend.
» READ MORE – How Vienna celebrates Christmas and New Year
The Christmas atmosphere will not leave you for a moment during your holiday in Prague. Colourful lights, fluffy fir trees, traditional festivities and treats – even a simple walk down the main street fills you with energy. And soon your feet will lead you toward wonderful events.
- On 5 December, Mikuláš, the Czech Saint Nicholas, walks the streets. He is accompanied by an angel and a devil: the former praises, the latter scolds, and the children promise to be better. This good-natured show takes place right in the squares, and the audience has as much fun as the kids
- 24 December is Štědrý den, the Generous Day – Christmas Eve. This is when Czechs gather for a festive dinner, and gifts appear under the tree – not from Santa, but from Ježíšek, the baby Jesus. Shops close early, restaurants accept guests by reservation only, and the streets grow quiet as Prague goes home to celebrate Christmas
- 25 and 26 December are official holidays. After family gatherings, the city comes back to life: fairs, ice rinks and cafés open again
- 31 December is New Year’s Eve. Concerts and festivities take place in the city centre, and at midnight, Prague looks up to the sky: instead of traditional fireworks, laser shows have become increasingly popular in recent years
- The holiday season ends on 6 January, Three Kings Day. On this day, costumed processions march through the streets, and Christmas decorations gradually disappear from the squares
Visit Prague’s Christmas markets
From the end of November, Prague transforms into a vibrant open-air market. Instead of shop windows, there are wooden stalls, and instead of the smell of coffee, there’s cinnamon and roasted nuts. The markets here are not just about trade – they are part of city life: friends meet here, warm themselves with mulled wine and listen to Christmas choirs.
- Old Town Square is the centre of the festivities and the most photogenic spot in Prague. A huge fir tree glows with garlands, surrounded by stalls selling trdelník, punch and ceramics. In the evening, live music plays, and the view from the town hall tower feels straight out of a holiday card
- Wenceslas Square combines history and shopping. Here you can browse boutiques, light a paper star, and try sausages straight from the grill
- Prague Castle hosts a more intimate fair near St. Vitus Cathedral. The atmosphere is calmer, the views magnificent, and the market stays open longer than the others – until early January
- Náměstí Míru opens earlier than all the others, at the end of November. It’s a favourite place for Prague residents, with more local craftsmen and fewer tourists
- Náměstí Republiky and the Palladium courtyard are ideal for those who want to combine a walk with shopping
- And if you want to see Prague without the crowds, head to Karlín or Smíchov, where you’ll find handicrafts, live music and the smell of fresh waffles
Admire the Christmas trees
Prague’s main Christmas tree stands in Old Town Square. It’s brought from the Czech mountains and chosen in a national competition. Every evening, a festive lighting ceremony takes place: garlands light up to music, and the square falls silent for a few moments.
The second largest tree stands on Wenceslas Square. It’s a little more modest but surrounded by shop windows and festive illuminations, creating the feeling of a grand theatrical set.
Smaller fir trees decorate almost every district, from Náměstí Míru to Karlín. In the evening, the city glows with dozens of lights, and even a simple stroll turns into a celebration – wherever you go, another Christmas tree shines ahead.
Attend an open-air concert or opera
Festive Prague sings on every corner. In Old Town Square, you’ll see a visualisation of the main biblical scene, and every evening school choirs perform there. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into an old Christmas film about kindness and miracles. Children sing traditional songs, lights twinkle, and a warm sense of joy fills the air.
The State Opera presents The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, classical concerts fill philharmonic halls, and majestic organs resound in churches. Choose what you like – you’ll have a memorable evening.
In the morning, after a light breakfast, you can visit a museum, because the real magic awakens in the evening when the city grows dark. Use the first half of the day to explore nearby museums or exhibitions.
Give children a holiday
Prague at Christmas is wonderful for both adults and children. There are open-air ice rinks in the city squares – the most popular ones are near the Palladium shopping centre and on Florenc Square.
Admission is free; you only pay for skate hire, and the background music makes skating feel almost cinematic.
If you want to warm up, head to Aquapalace Praha, one of the largest water parks in Central Europe. The slides, wave pool and saunas will chase away any winter chill.
Don’t skip the puppet theatres – a Prague classic. Puppet shows are based on Czech fairy tales and The Nutcracker, and you don’t need to know the language to understand the story.
For an outdoor adventure, the Prague Zoo is a great choice. In winter, it’s especially lively: polar bears, seals and tigers feel right at home.
Visit the main attractions
Exploring Prague’s landmarks is an experience in itself. The festive lights and atmosphere add special magic. See Charles Bridge in the evening – during the day it may seem austere, but in the glow of evening lights, it becomes mysterious and enchanting.
Pay attention to the buildings on Old Town Square. Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles coexist harmoniously, and each building is beautiful in its own way.
Be sure to visit Prague Castle with our audio guide. It’s free, but if you want to explore deeper, buy tickets online and skip the queues – every minute of Christmas is precious. Here you’ll find architectural monuments that preserve the city’s history.
Admire the city on a panoramic cruise
If you don’t have much time but want to see everything at once, a river cruise is the perfect option!
This short trip adds variety to your sightseeing and offers beautiful views, including of Charles Bridge.
An hour-long journey on the Vltava River reveals the best panoramas of the city. You can order a snack or a cup of aromatic coffee on board – relax, take your time, and enjoy the view, the city, and your holiday.
» READ MORE – Cruises on the Danube: water adventures in Vienna
Visit the festively decorated parks
On 25 and 26 December, most establishments are closed. People prefer spending time with their families, so only a few restaurants and cafés stay open. It’s essential to book a table in advance, as many people want to dine out.
If the weather is kind, take some warm drinks and stroll through the parks to reflect and digest new impressions. In the evening, the parks are well lit and lively, especially during the holidays. The most popular ones are Letenské sady and Stromovka. The latter houses the largest planetarium in Prague and a playground on its grounds.
Select a hotel in PragueAnd remember — it’s worth booking not only restaurant tables but also hotel rooms in advance. You can find all the options at this link. Don’t delay your booking.
» READ MORE – Prague itinerary in your pocket: audio guides from TouringBee
Enjoy a gastronomic tour
This deserves a category of its own. Prague should be experienced through its flavours, especially at Christmas. After enjoying street food at the markets, be sure to visit the Czech beer halls. You can try several kinds of excellent beer, have a hearty dinner, and spend surprisingly little.
Want to spend an unusual evening? Book a table in advance – at this time of year, good restaurants fill up quickly. For a breathtaking experience, dine 63 metres above the ground at the Oblaca restaurant in the Žižkov TV Tower. It offers a stunning panoramic view of the city at night.
» READ MORE – Traditional Christmas dishes from 10 European countries
Watch the fireworks
Prague celebrates New Year’s Eve in a lively and generous style. From the evening of 31 December, Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square turn into a massive open-air dance floor. Music plays, mulled wine and beer flow freely, and locals and tourists count down the final seconds of the year together with the clock on the town hall.
Prague Astronomical Clock: admission ticketWhen midnight strikes, dozens of private fireworks light up the sky above the city. Residents and visitors launch them right in the squares — chaotic, noisy, and incredibly spirited. The air fills with smoke, laughter and applause – a true festive anarchy.
On the evening of 1 January, the official city show takes place in Letná Park. This large-scale fireworks display can be seen from the city centre and along the banks of the Vltava River. Thousands of spectators arrive early, taking their spots on hills and bridges to see Prague greet the new year under cascades of lights.
Treat yourself to some Christmas shopping
Shopping centres also embrace the Christmas spirit – Christmas trees, lanterns, lights and garlands everywhere. Festive music plays, and prices become wonderfully tempting. What’s a trip without shopping? It’s worth strolling through the decorated galleries of shopping centres even without buying anything. But in this whirl of celebration and magic, you’re bound to find a little souvenir to take home.
When Christmas ends and the garlands go out, Prague still feels festive. The lights are replaced by reflections on the Vltava River, and the noise of the fairs gives way to quiet footsteps on the cobblestones. If you’re lucky, the morning fog over Charles Bridge will be the best New Year’s souvenir – no packaging required, and no expiration date.
Have an unforgettable trip!
» READ MORE – Nuremberg at Christmas and New Year: markets, music and treats
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