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New Year's Eve in Prague: 31 December 2026
New Year's Eve is party night in Prague, and the restaurants, bars, clubs, and river cruises are always full. The atmosphere builds throughout the evening, reaching its peak at midnight when crowds gather along the river and in the city squares to watch fireworks and welcome in the New Year. |
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New Year's Eve 2026 in Prague | | | People from all over the world travel to Prague to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Thousands of visitors are expected, and a vibrant party atmosphere permeates the city: on the streets and squares, along the river, and in the restaurants, bars and clubs.
The festivities are enjoyed by one and all: the young and old, the quiet and romantic, and the wild and carefree. Prague truly offers something for everyone. | | | Some entertainment venues host elegant, all-inclusive international-style parties featuring fine food, drinks, music and dancing. Others present a night of lively local hospitality. Restaurants either serve their regular à la carte menu or prepare a special New Year’s Eve menu. Options range from an intimate romantic dinner for two to a full evening of entertainment with a DJ or live band and dancing.
Bars and clubs typically sell tickets for New Year's Eve, with some hosting parties that last until 5am. | |
New Year's Eve in Prague |
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Most visitors book a venue or event in advance, but some prefer to keep things spontaneous. They seek out Czech pubs open to walk-ins, drink beer in the squares, and try their luck finding a club that will let them in after midnight.Finally, there are the ever-popular New Year's Eve river cruises - tickets will be available to book in September 2026. | | | |
New Year's Eve Planner 2026
Our New Year's Eve Planner is the main guide to the celebrations. It features the best river cruises, restaurants, clubs and parties in Prague. | | | |
*Midnight Fireworks in Prague
At midnight on New Year's Eve, there will be plenty of fireworks - but no one can predict the scale of the spectacle. Continue reading to find out why.
For decades, fireworks have been the highlight of the New Year's Eve celebrations in Prague. As midnight approaches, crowds gather in key areas of the city, and the atmosphere buzzes with anticipation. | | |
There is no official fireworks display in Prague, and regulations on launching them have been tightened in recent years. However, this does not deter the locals - Czechs absolutely LOVE setting off fireworks and tend to ignore all such restrictions (they do have a rebellious streak!).
Hand-held, ground-based, and aerial fireworks are set off by countless individuals, particularly in and around the Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and along the river. Additionally, aerial fireworks are launched from high ground surrounding the city centre. These can be enjoyed by spectators standing along both banks of the river - especially near Charles Bridge - and from elevated spots in and around the Lesser Town, such as Petřín Hill, near Prague Castle, and Letná Park (close to the Metronome). | |
New Year's Eve by the River |
| | | Restaurants, bars, clubs and river cruises time their entertainment programmes around midnight so guests can enjoy the fireworks. Many include Champagne or sparkling wine in the ticket price for the midnight toast.
River cruises usually offer excellent views of the fireworks, whether from inside the boat or out on deck. Some restaurants have terraces where guests can watch. While most restaurants, bars and clubs, do not have a direct view, if you are at a venue in the city centre (Prague 1), you are never far from a good vantage point. Guests can leave their venue before midnight, watch the fireworks, and return afterward - all venues listed in our planner allow re-entry.
Of course, the atmosphere inside the venues is also charged with excitement, so many people choose to stay and join the countdown there instead. | | WHERE TO WATCH THE Fireworks in Prague
OPTION 1 - FIREWORKS BY THE RIVERCharles Bridge is the focal point for fireworks by the river, many of which are launched from elevated areas of the city, such as Letná Park (Letenské sady), close to Prague Castle.
With a backdrop of the Old Town on one side of the river and Prague Castle and the Lesser Town on the other, spectators can admire a stunning combination of fireworks and shimmering water reflections. | | | Where to Watch Fireworks Overlooking the River: | | | a. Stand on Charles Bridge or along the streets that run beside the river. The Old Town side is the most popular spot because Prague Castle provides a stunning backdrop as you look across the water; b. River Cruises: Boats gather near Charles Bridge at midnight. Depending on your seating, guests can enjoy the fireworks from their table or go out on deck; c. Riverside Restaurants: Restaurants on both sides of the river offer good views of the fireworks. Some have large windows so guests can watch from their table, while others feature terraces and outside areas with panoramic views; d. Hillside Restaurants in the Lesser Town: Located on Petřín Hill and near Prague Castle, some restaurants have large windows or terraces, allowing guests to enjoy the fireworks from elevated vantage points. | |
New Year's Eve by the River |
| | | OPTION 2 - FIREWORKS AT THE SQUARES It can be pretty hair-raising standing in the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square at midnight. With large crowds and fireworks seemingly everywhere, the atmosphere can be electric. Aerial fireworks light up the skyline, but the most dramatic displays, despite the official ban, are the huge blasts and flashes coming from street level. Last year, local Czechs launched
countless fireworks in the squares, and the show went on for hours. What happens in 2026 is anybody's guess! Whatever the scale of the fireworks this year, the Christmas Markets will be in full swing, restaurants and bars around the squares will be packed, and revellers will toast the New Year with bottles of beer and Bohemia Sekt ("Czech Champagne"). | | | Where to Watch Fireworks at the Squares: a. Stand in a Square: Restaurants, bars and clubs in the Old Town and New Town are within a 10-minute walk of a square. If you're at a venue without a view, grab your coat, ask for a re-entry stamp, and head off to a square. b. Restaurants at the Squares: Some restaurants have large windows offering views of the festivities from your table, while others feature terrace with direct views of the action. | |
NYE at Wenceslas Square |
| | | OPTION 3 - VENUES WITH OWN FIREWORKS • New Year's Eve Czech Night puts on its own fireworks display. | | | |
Other New Year's Eve Entertainment
There is plenty of entertainment to enjoy in Prague on New Year's Eve and in the days surrounding it. Classical concerts, opera, and ballet performances are magical at this time of year, taking place in grand concert halls, ornate opera houses and theatres, Baroque palaces, and historic churches:•
New Year's Eve concerts, opera & ballet •
New Year's Day concerts, opera & ballet. For a uniquely Czech experience, Black Light Theatre is suitable for all ages and nationalities: •
New Year's Eve theatre •
New Year's Day theatre. For young children, there is a free show on the open-air stage at the Old Town Square Christmas Market from 16:45 to 17:30. | | | |
Additional Information
View more information on NYE and a list of events: Prague New Year's Eve Planner.View our guide to where to stay in Prague, weather in December, recommended clothing, and more: Prague Christmas Markets. Christmas opening hours: What's Open in Prague in December 2026. Christmas events: December 2026 Events in Prague. For an introduction to Prague, view our Welcome to Prague Guide. For practical information, including tips on Prague currency exchange and prices, view Prague Tourist Information. For travel information, read Getting Around Prague by Public Transport and Travel to Prague. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. | |
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