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What's Open in December (and early January) in Prague
December is a magical month in Prague. Visitors travel to Prague for the festive atmosphere of the Christmas markets, and to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve in the city.
There is plenty of sightseeing and entertainment to enjoy, but we advise booking tickets and making restaurant reservations in advance, because the best places always sell out. |
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WHAT'S OPEN during the Christmas Markets IN 2024 | | 20th November 2024
A local Christmas market opens at Peace Square (Náměstí Míru), just outside the city centre.
Aimed at Czech people (although everyone is welcome), the market is 15 minutes walk from Wenceslas Square.
25th November 2024
A small Christmas market opens at Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) in the city centre.
The first Christmas Concerts are held in grand concert halls, Baroque palaces and ancient churches.
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| The first performance of The Nutcracker at Broadway Theatre is on 25th November 2024. | |
30th November - 23rd December 2024
The main Christmas markets open at the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.
Small Christmas markets open at Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) and Na Kampě Square (Na Kampě).
Tourist attractions, sightseeing tours, river cruises and restaurants operate as normal.
In addition, the Advent River Cruise runs every weekend in the build up to Christmas. | | | | 24th December 2024 (Christmas Eve): Public Holiday
The Christmas markets are open.
Christmas Eve is the most festive day of Christmas in Czechia, and is the one day a significant number of businesses close or have limited opening hours.
Most tourist attractions close, although the famous squares and Charles Bridge are of course open. Christmas Eve is a wonderfully peaceful day to stroll around the city.
Selected Prague tours operate in the morning.
Day trips outside Prague are not running.
The only boat trips running are the lunch and sightseeing river cruises.
Christmas concerts are held in grand concert halls, Baroque palaces and ancient churches.
Christmas ballet includes The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
A limited number of restaurants are open, but even these have limited opening hours. Most restaurants book out in advance, so we strongly advise making reservations.
Some local convenience stores and small shops are open.
Larger shops and shopping centres are either closed or only open until midday.
Public transport:
Daytime: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
16:00-18:00: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are limited trams.
18:00-24:00: Metro trains run in 20 minute intervals. Night trams run in 30 minute intervals.
24:00-07:00: Night trams run in 30 minute intervals.
More information on spending Christmas in Prague: Prague Christmas Planner. | | | 25th-26th December 2024 (Christmas Holidays): Public Holidays | | | | Restaurants are open. Most book out in advance, so we strongly advise making reservations.
Local convenience stores, small to medium sized shops, and some shopping centres are open. Large shops (over 200m2) are closed on the 25th and open on the 26th December.
Public transport:
Daytime: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
21:00-24:00 Metro trains run in 10 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
24:00-07:00: Night trams run in 30 minute intervals.
More information on spending Christmas in Prague: Prague Christmas Planner.
27th-30th December 2024
The Christmas markets are open.
Prague continues to be very busy, as the build up to New Year's Eve begins. Tourists staying on in the city after Christmas are joined by an influx of visitors arriving for the famous end of year celebrations.
Most tourist attractions, sightseeing tours, river cruises and restaurants operate as normal. Advance reservations are highly recommended as many places book out in advance.
In addition to regular classical concerts, Christmas concerts are held in grand concert halls, Baroque palaces and ancient churches.
Christmas ballet includes performances of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake.
There is a choice of opera performances at the city's stunning opera houses, plus typically Czech black light theatre productions.
Shops have normal opening hours.
Public transport: Prague Metro and trams run a normal service. | | | | | There is a sublime performance of the opera Ball im Savoy at the Prague State Opera.
Black light theatres stage early evening performances. | | Restaurants, bars and clubs have extended opening hours, and many put on New Year's Eve parties with special menus. Advance reservations are essential.
Shops are open, but most close early.
Public transport:
Normal metro service operates during the day on New Year's Eve, and is extended until 02:30 (last trains start their journey at 02:00). Trains run every 4-10 minutes.
Normal tram and bus services operate during the day on New Year's Eve, and are extended until 02:00. Trams and buses run every 05-20 minutes.
From 02:00-07:00, night buses run every 20 minutes. | |
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| | | More information on spending New Year's Eve in Prague: New Year's Eve. | | | | 1st January 2024 (New Year's Day): Public Holiday
The Christmas markets are open.
Most tourist attractions, sightseeing tours, river cruises and restaurants operate as normal. Advance reservations are recommended.
New Year's Day concerts are held in grand concert halls and ancient churches.
There are performances of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake at Broadway Theatre.
The opera houses and black light theatres are open.
Local convenience stores, small to medium sized shops, and some shopping centres are open. Large shops (over 200m2) are closed.
Public transport: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
2nd-10th January 2024
Prague continues to be very busy early in the New Year. Tourists staying on after the end of year celebrations are joined by new visitors arriving to celebrate Orthodox Christmas Day on 7th January.
The Christmas markets remain open until 6th January 2025.
Tourist attractions, sightseeing tours, river cruises and restaurants operate as normal. Advance reservations are recommended.
Classical concerts are held in the grand concert halls, Baroque palaces and ancient churches.
The opera season is in full swing, with several excellent performances to choose from.
Ballet lovers can look forward to Romeo and Juliet at the Prague State Opera on the 8th and 9th January 2025.
Black light theatres are open.
Shops have normal opening hours.
Public transport: Prague Metro and trams run a normal service. | | | |
More Information
For information on where to stay in Prague, the weather in December, what clothes to wear and more, view our guide to the Prague Christmas Markets.
For a list of Christmas events throughout December in Prague: December events.
For an introduction to the city: Prague tourism information.
For practical information, including advice on currency exchange: Prague tourist information.
For travel information: Travel around Prague by public transport and Travel to Prague.
For an easy way to visit Prague, the Prague Package includes a hotel, Prague airport transfers, sightseeing and entertainment. |
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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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