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Prague Christmas
• Christmas
Markets
• Christmas
& New Year's Event Calendar
• Opening
Times
• December Weather
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
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.
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. |
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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.
Prague Christmas markets get busy!
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