Prague Christmas Markets: 29 November 2025 - 6 January 2026

Christmas Markets 2025

The main Christmas markets are held at Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) in Prague's city centre. The two squares are just a 5-minute walk from each other.

• Old Town Square Market is the largest and most enchanting, featuring historic architecture as its backdrop, festively decorated huts, a magnificent Christmas tree, an open-air stage, and an observation bridge adorned with lights.

Shopping at the stalls

Among the handicrafts on display at the market stalls are Christmas decorations and tree ornaments, nativity scenes, handmade ceramics, jewellery, glassware, embroidered lace, candles, wooden toys, puppets and dolls dressed in traditional costume, paintings, and handcrafted blankets and tablecloths.

Visitors should find some unique souvenirs to take home, to enhance their own decorations or to use as Christmas gifts.

But, the markets are about more than shopping. All manner of food and drinks are available to savour, with much of the hearty fare prepared and cooked in front of you at the stalls.

Food includes: Giant hams roasted on spits (šunka); terribly unhealthy but wonderfully tasty grilled sausages (klobása); flatbread topped with garlic, cheese and ketchup (langoš); potato chips (hranolky); smoked meat dumplings (knedlíky plněné uzeným masem); sweet dumplings (sladké knedlíky); pancakes and crêpes (palačinky); local cheeses; and roasted chestnuts.

Czech Christmas fish soup (rybí polévka) is cooked in huge cauldrons. Over 1,500 kilograms of carp, vegetables, cream and brandy go into making the soup each year.

A word of warning to parents: once a child has tasted trdelník, there is no going back. Its comforting, sweet and addictive nature means you will be pestered endlessly for another hit!

Alternatively, opt for a hot drink: mulled wine (svařák or svařené víno); hot mead or honey wine (medovina); hot apple (jablíčko); punch (punč); hot chocolate (horká čokoláda); or grog - hot water, rum, lemon and sugar.

Outdoor Christmas shopping is so much nicer with a cup of mulled wine or a cold beer in hand!

In keeping with the eco-friendly theme, drinks are served in recycled cups made of rPET or in returnable cups - look out for the "Cup Collectors" strapped to rubbish bins, or return your cup to a designated "Cup Return Hut".

Plates, cutlery and straws are either made from recycled materials or are fully biodegradable.

A tree lighting ceremony accompanied by rousing classical music ('Vltava' by Czech composer Bedřich Smetana) takes place daily at: 16:30, 17:30, 18:30, 19:30, 20:30, 21:30.

The Wenceslas Square Christmas Market, meanwhile, has its own tree, measuring 15m, and hailing from the Hradec Králové region of Czechia.

The wooden huts are adorned with red or white roofs; decorations are coloured vibrant red, green, gold and white; there is a lot of green foliage; and, bright warm white lights illuminate everything from the trees and Observation Bridge to giant wired angels and forest animals.

Music from the stage is relayed via speakers throughout the market, enhancing the festive feel for all visitors.

The Wenceslas Square Christmas Market has an open-air stage too, putting on its own Christmas-themed dance and music performances, but on a smaller scale. Performers appear Thursday to Sunday, from 16:00 to 18:00.

At Wenceslas Square, a skilled blacksmith demonstrates the traditional craft of metalworking over an open fire. Visitors can purchase the unique artisan wares he produces.

Also at Wenceslas Square, an open-air ice rink adds to the festive winter atmosphere. Skaters of all ages and abilities are welcome to join in the fun. Skates and skating aids are available for hire. No advance booking required.

View a full list of recommended ice rinks in Christmas Events.

For an even higher vantage point, head up the Old Town Hall Tower (entry fee applies) to be rewarded with sweeping views over Old Town Square and as far as Prague Castle.

Of course, street-level photography offers yet another perspective. Amongst the market stalls, you can capture vivid, close up shots of the colourful wares, as well as food and drinks being prepared.

For sightseeing, entertainment and dining, most places in Prague welcome visitors dressed in casual attire - this even applies to classical concerts in churches.

However, visitors should dress for the occasion when attending performances at the opera houses and grand concert halls, or when dining in high-end restaurants.

Having said this, we do recommend booking at least one Prague tour. There are fascinating historical tales wrapped up in the monuments, which only an expert guide can reveal. A professional local guide truly can bring the city to life for you.

The sights and attractions are open every day of the Christmas season, except on Christmas Eve.

River cruises range from sightseeing trips to lunch and dinner cruises with live music aboard a luxurious, ultra-modern boat: Christmas river cruises.

An additional sightseeing cruise, the Advent Cruise, runs every Saturday and Sunday in the build up to Christmas (29,30 November; 06,07,13,14,20,21 December 2025). Guests are served a mug of hot mulled wine (or tea) and a traditional cake onboard, and Christmas music is played.

From walking tours to bus tours to river cruises, there are so many ways to enjoy the wonder of Prague this Christmas.

The Mirror Chapel at the Klementinum is another stunning venue. The historic nature of the building combined with the talent of the musicians creates powerfully emotive concerts.

For large, spectacular events, Municipal House and the Rudolfinum are Prague's grandest concert halls, and their performances never fail to impress.

The National Theatre's production is the most popular show of the entire Christmas season in Prague, so if you wish to attend, we recommend booking tickets now.

Prague Experience still has some exclusive tickets available.

Other spectacular productions include Otello (Verdi), Nabucco (Verdi), Carmen (Bizet), La traviata (Verdi) and Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (Rossini), as well as operas by two renowned Czech composers: the lyrical fairy tale, Rusalka (Dvořák), and The Bartered Bride (Smetana), which is set over the course of a day in a traditional Bohemian village during festival time.

Opera performances usually sell out, so we recommend booking tickets early.

The two most popular areas to stay within Prague 1 are:

• Old Town (Staré Město), centred around Old Town Square

• New Town (Nové Město), centred around Wenceslas Square

A third option is:

• Lesser Town (Malá Strana), a quieter area located across the river. From here, the Old Town is easily accessible via a scenic walk across Charles Bridge.

Metro stations and tram stops within a 5-minute walk:

Metro stations: Staroměstská (Line A), Můstek (Lines A & B), Namesti Republiky (Line B)

Tram stops: Staroměstská (trams 2,17,18); Namesti Republiky (trams 6,8,15,26)

Wenceslas Square Christmas Market

Metro stations and trams stops directly at the square:

Metro stations: Muzeum (Lines A & C), Můstek (Lines A & B)

Tram stop: Václavské namesti (trams 3,5,6,9,14,24)