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Mikulas (St. Nicholas Day) in Prague » 05th December 2024
Mikulas (St. Nicholas Day) is on the 5th December and marks the start of Christmas for Czech people. Head for the Old Town Square or Wenceslas Square in the late afternoon to observe the events unfold - Mikulas photos. |
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Mikulas (St. Nicholas Day) - from 4pm
Around 4pm on the 5th December, three figures slowly move around the Old Town Square, in and out of the Christmas markets. They are St. Nicholas, an Angel and a Devil.
Surrounding them are a throng of small children, gazing in awe, but with some apprehension. Their parents meanwhile look on with masked grins.
Glance around the square and there are several such groupings, for today is Mikulas. |
| | Czech children raised on stories of Mikulas know just what to expect. St. Nicholas will ask each and everyone of them if they have been a good child in the past year.
Naturally, most children say yes, and will be asked to sing a song or recite a short poem, after which they are rewarded with a small present or a sweet.
But if St. Nicholas suspects they have been naughty, well! Naughty children don't get sweets, they get
lumps of coal or hard potatoes. And if they have been really naughty, they will find themselves in the Devil's sack and sent to
hell! | |  |
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With this in mind, small children are understandably worried by the presence of the Devil. So when St. Nicholas and his entourage approach, they sing their song or recite their poem with great gusto.
Needless to say, Mikulas acts as a pretty strong incentive to be good all year round!
In Prague, visitors can observe the events unfold, and maybe even grab a photo with the devil(!), from 4pm to 7pm in and around the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. There is no set route, you just need to look out for them. |
| | One place they do put in an appearance is the stage at Wenceslas Square from 4pm to 6pm, which has a programme of St. Nicholas themed activities, including competitions and games.
The tradition of Mikulas is thought to derive from a 4th century Christian saint, Nikolaos of Myra, who, it is said, secretly gave gifts to people.
On the day of Mikulas, the Christmas markets are in full swing. Expect it to be busy, so buy a hot drink from one of the stalls, perhaps a sausage or Trdelník, and look on as the events of this wonderful Czech tradition unfold. |
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 CHRISTMAS 2024
KEY DATES | |
XMAS MARKETS
Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square
30 Nov-06 Jan
Daily 10:00-22:00 | |
SMALL MARKETS
Peace Square
20 Nov-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-20:00
Republic Square
25 Nov-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-20:00
Tyl Square
26 Nov-24 Dec
Daily 10:00-20:00
Na Kampě Square
30 Nov-06 Jan
Daily 10:00-20:00 | |
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TREE LIGHTING
Old Town Square
30 Nov-06 Jan
Daily 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, 21:30 | |
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LAMP LIGHTING
Charles Bridge
01-23 Dec
Daily 16:10-16:30 | |
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ICE RINKS
Na Frantisku, Old Town
15 Nov-28 Feb
Daily 08:00-19:00/22:00
Letná Park
16 Nov-23 Feb
Daily 09:00-22:00
Wenceslas Square
01 Dec-16 Feb
Daily 09:00-22:00
Tower Park:
Žižkov
01 Dec-28 Feb
Mon-Fri: 15:00-20:00; Sat-Sun: 09:00-20:00
Ovocny trh, Old Town
05 Dec-31 Jan
Daily 10:00-21:00 | |
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MIKULAS DAY
Old Town Square & Wenceslas Square
05 Dec
16:00-19:00 | |
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XMAS EVE
24 Dec 2024
-16:00 Christmas Mass for children at various churches
-16:30 Christmas Mass at Tyn Church
-21:00 Open-air Christmas Mass at Old Town Square
-24:00 Midnight Mass at Strahov & other churches | |
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XMAS PLANNER
What's open at Christmas: restaurants, entertainment & sightseeing
24-26 Dec 2024 | |
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NEW YEAR'S EVE
Festivities & Fireworks
31 Dec 2024 | |
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THREE KINGS
Charles Bridge
03 Jan 2025
15:30-16:45 | |
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