Prague Christmas

Christmas Markets
Christmas & New Year's Event Calendar
Opening Times
December Weather


Prague Christmas Markets
Dec. 1, 2007 - Jan. 1, 2008

Visitors come from all over to experience and enjoy the Christmas markets in Prague (vánoční trhy). The markets usually start four Saturdays before Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) and run until the beginning of January. They are open every day of the week.

Prague Christmas markets are always busy despite the cold. Holiday items, crafts, traditional Christmas decorations and gifts are sold along with hot wine (svařené víno or svařák), grog, warm honey liquor (medovina) and traditional foods. Czech Christmas carols add to the festive atmosphere. After dark, the markets are lit up beautifully.

Christmas Market on the Old Town Square
Christmas Market on the Old Town Square

The most popular markets are those on the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square where Christmas items and Czech souvenirs are sold in 70 - 80 stands. Other, smaller markets in the same general area are located at the Havelské tržiště and Republic Square. A little outside of the center and easily accessible by the tram and metro is the Christmas market on Náměstí Míru. A special Christmas market is also held at the Prague Exhibition Grounds in Prague 7, usually accompanied by weekend events.

If you plan to come to Prague to experience the Christmas markets, come for the atmosphere. Do not expect to find special, unique products that are only available at Christmas time. Lots of the items that are sold at the Christmas markets can be found in regular Prague stores year round. Besides Christmas ornaments, you will see lots of glass jewelry, ceramic beer mugs, Czech wooden toys, scarves, scented candles... You may want to taste some of the traditional foods that are made fresh right in front of you and which are harder to find outside of the markets.


Christmas Markets in Prague - 2007:

The markets are open daily - see Christmas Opening Times to check their hours.

Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)
Dec. 1, 2007 - Jan. 1, 2008
This is the prettiest (and busiest) Prague Christmas market. Little stalls are nestled around the Jan Hus statue and surrounded by centuries old Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The market is dominated by a Christmas tree, which is adorned with hundreds of lights and is lit every evening at dusk (usually around 5 p.m.). A stage is erected every year where Christmas concerts and short plays are performed in the open air.

Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)
Dec. 1, 2007 - Jan. 1, 2008
This is another large Christmas market in the city center. It is located in the lower part of Wenceslas Square and is usually dominated by an artificial Christmas tree the color of which has raised questions and sparked debates in the last couple of years.

  Christmas Concert on the Old Town Square
Christmas concert
on Old Town Square

Havel Market (Havelské tržiště)
This market is held in one of Prague's oldest marketplaces, established in 1232. The Havel Market is on the way from the Old Town Square to Wenceslas Square.

Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky)
Nov. 25 - Dec. 24, 2007
A Christmas market near the Kotva department store within a short walking distance from the Old Town Square.

Peace Square (Náměstí Míru)
Nov. 20 - Dec. 24, 2007
A local Christmas market in front of the imposing Church of St. Ludmila on the pleasant Náměstí Míru in Prague 2. The market is a lot less busy than those in the center and is visited mostly by Czechs.

Holešovice Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště Holešovice)
Dec. 7 - 16, 2007
The 'Christmas at the Exhibition Grounds' market in Prague 7 will be accompanied by a weekend entertainment program.

Christmas Market in Prague
Prague Christmas markets get busy!