Christmas in Prague is a magical time and December is undoubtedly one of the nicest months of the year in this beautiful city. Christmas markets are up, the streets are bright and beautiful, Christmas trees adorn the town squares and the early dusk is filled with warm light. And if all is covered in fresh, white snow, what more can you ask for?
You will see the first signs of Christmas as early as October when Christmas ornaments start appearing in shop windows. Christmas markets open up around the end of November and a large Christmas tree is lit on Old Town Square. Christmas mood marks the month of December until its very end when New Year’s celebrations take over.
Keep reading to find out what the weather is like in Prague at Christmas time, what’s open and closed during the holidays, and what events usually take place in December.
December Weather in Prague
If you are coming to Prague in December, be ready to bundle up. The average high is 2°C/36°F and average low -2°C/28°F, which are temperatures comparable to southern inland Canada, Chicago or Detroit in the USA, and Zurich in Switzerland. The average precipitation in December is less than 25 mm (1 inch) and can be in the form of snow or light rain.
Prague winter weather can be quite crisp and you will be happy to put on gloves, a warm scarf, and a hat. Layering your clothes is helpful. Make sure your feet are kept warm – although lots of Prague locals go through the whole winter wearing sneakers. High heels are not the best choice as the ground can be slippery even if there is no snow. And remember – if you get cold, you can always have some hot chocolate at a café, stop by a tea room or buy a cup of mulled wine or grog from a street vendor.
If you think you’ll experience a white Christmas in Prague, you may want to lower your expectations. Snow often comes and melts before Christmas or doesn’t come at all until January. There is a Czech saying that goes like this: “St. Catherine on ice, Christmas on mud”. St. Catherine’s Day is on Nov. 25, so if you trust the folklore wisdom, you can see what the weather’s like on that day and you’ll know what to expect at Christmas. 😉
December days are short and it gets dark around 4:30 p.m.
More information about Czech weather can be found on our Czech Republic Weather page.
Christmas Opening Times
December 24 (Christmas Eve)
Christmas Eve in the Czech Republic can be compared to Christmas Day or Thanksgiving in the United States. There is not much activity anywhere and the streets are quiet except for some last-minute shoppers frantically looking for Christmas presents or carp for dinner. Museums, galleries, tourist attractions, most stores and most restaurants are closed. Banks and post offices are closed. Public transport runs on a special schedule, which can be very limited after 6 p.m. (20-minute metro intervals, 30-minute tram intervals).
December 25 – 26 (Christmas Holidays)
Most museums, galleries, tourist attractions and restaurants in the center of Prague keep normal or slightly shortened opening hours. Please check their websites for up-to-date information. Many stores are closed. Banks and post offices are closed. Public transport runs on its Sunday schedule with longer intervals between connections.
Christmas & New Year’s Events in Prague
Below is an approximate schedule of events that are held in Prague at Christmas time every year.
November 20 – January 6: Christmas Markets
The Prague Christmas markets on Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) usually run from the end of November till the very beginning of January. Other markets take place at the Havel Market (Havelské tržiště), on Náměstí Republiky, Náměstí Míru, at the Holešovice Exhibition Grounds, and elsewhere in Prague. See details on our Prague Christmas Markets page.
End of November: Lighting of the Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is lit on Old Town Square around November 28 – 30. Check this year’s date at www.trhypraha.cz.
December 5: St. Nicholas Day (Mikuláš)
4 – 7 p.m.: Children’s Mikuláš Tradition on Old Town Square
The St. Nicholas tradition is celebrated on Old Town Square and at other Prague locations on the evening of December 5 every year. Read about St. Nicholas Day in our Holidays and Traditions section.
December 20 – 23: Christmas Carp Sold
Christmas carp is sold on the streets during the week before Christmas. Tubs full of live carp are placed at various locations around Prague. Many carp are killed right on the counter.
December 24 – 26: Christmas Eve and Christmas Holidays
Czech Christmas holidays start on the evening of December 24 (Christmas Eve) and continue through December 26. Read about Czech Christmas in our Holidays and Traditions section.
December 24: Midnight Mass
Midnight mass (půlnoční mše or simply půlnoční) is held in many churches around the country on the midnight of December 24. Some churches begin the mass earlier, e.g. at 10 p.m., and some also have a mass for children in the afternoon.
December 31: New Year’s Eve Celebrations (Silvestr)
A New Year’s Eve Party is usually held on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. Many Prague restaurants, bars, and clubs have their own New Year’s Eve parties. Most of them require advance reservations. Here’s a list of some New Year’s Eve events in Prague that you can reserve on our partner’s site.
January 1: New Year’s Fireworks
Prague’s New Year’s fireworks take place at 6 p.m. on January 1. The fireworks are set up on Letná Hill and can be seen well from Čechův, Mánesův, and Štefánikův Bridges, from the Dvořák Embankment, from Pařížská Street, Petřín Hill, Letná Hill, the slope of Riegrovy Sady, Vítkov Hill, and other locations with a view of Letná Hill.