25 best things to do in Prague at Christmas in 2023 as recommended by a local (that’s me!), including Christmas themed events, concerts, markets and delicious Czech Christmas food and drink.
I wanted to share with you my favourite 25 things to do in Prague at Christmas to get me into the festive mood. I’ve specifically included Christmas themed events and events that are happening during the festive season in Prague in 2023.
Apart from these there are plenty other must see attractions to see in Prague – the usual tourist attractions are open through the festive season. The last weekend in November is usually the first Advent Sunday marking the 4 weekends before Christmas.
Most shops and venues will start to put up their Christmas decorations and food venues will begin to introduce festive twists on their regular offerings and the most magical time of the year starts!
1. Visit Prague Castle & Christmas Market (2 December 2023 – 6 January 2024)
You can easily spend a whole day at Prague Castle (both inside the various buildings and outside walking around the different squares and little lanes), which is why I think it’s a perfect solution for a cold day. The whole castle area is one of the free things in Prague to enter and you only need to pay for the various exhibitions indoors and art galleries.
There are plenty of coffee shops and restaurants within the Prague Castle complex, which means you can really spend the whole day exploring the area at your leisure.
The Christmas Market at the back of the St.Vitus Cathedral and it’s open every day from 9 am to 6 pm (weekdays) or 7 pm (weekends).
2. Festive lighting of the Christmas tree at the Old Town Square (2 December 2023)
This wonderful event will take place on 2nd December 2023, from 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM. The tree will be lit up at 4 pm followed by a festive entertainment, singing and traditional music.
This year, the Christmas tree is a 27-meter spruce from Mimoň town, which is located in the Liberec region of the Czech Republic. It will be decorated with 40 angels, 4.5 kilometres of LED lights, colourful baubles, stars, and gingerbread decorations. The Christmas markets at the Old Town Square will also start at the same time.
- Location: Old Town Square, Old Town, Prague 1
- Opening times: 2 December 2023, between 4 pm – 9.30 pm (Christmas tree will be lit up every day afterwards around 4 pm)
- Tickets: Free
3. Christmas Angels processions through the Old Town (3, 10, 17, 24 December 2023)
The theatre artists from the Long Vehicle Circus group will walk the streets of central Prague dressed as large angels on high stills and interact with people around them.
An angel is not only a symbol of Christmas but also of hope, safety, and protection. The idea behind the project is to experience Advent ‘under angel’s wings’ and start slowing down or pause for a while and contemplate.
There is also a light installation in the Klementinum, where more actors perform usually with light or simple props.
- Location: Marianske Square, near Old Town Square (usually start and finish)
- Opening times: every Sunday in December 3,10,17,24 December 2023, between 4-5 pm
- Tickets: Free
4. Christmas exhibition at the Botanical Garden (1-31 December 2023)
This is one of my favourite places to go to soak up a real traditional Czech Christmas atmosphere. Each year, the Botanical Garden in Prague 2 puts on a Christmas exhibition focusing on different element of the Czech traditions around the festive times. There is also a little stall with handmade decorations, garden magazines and books.
If you are looking for an antidote to the shiny and noisy portrait of what Christmas has become, this place will transport you back to when Christmas traditions were part of people’s everyday’s life. It’s a real treat, I promise! I don’t think that the organisers ever thought that international visitors will be interested enough to visit, so unfortunately, all signs are just in Czech language, but if you scan it to an online translate app, you should be able to follow everything just fine.
The exhibition is just one large greenhouse, but there is a lot packed in, so I usually stay a good hour or so. You can also take a walk in the garden and park surrounding the greenhouses before you head back to the centre of Prague. There are no refreshments, but toilets (payable) are available (side building as you walk in from the tram stop).
- Location: Botanical Garden, Na Slupi 16, Prague 2 – trams 2, 14, 18, 24 stop Botanicka Zahrada
- Opening Times: 1-31 December 2023, daily (Monday till Sunday), 10 am – 3 pm
- Tickets: 100 CZK Adults, 50 CZK Children, Students, Senior Citizens, 250 CZK Family ticket, children under 5 years old – free (cash only, no card facilities onsite)
5. Christmas Lamplighting on Charles Bridge (2-23 December 2023)
If you happen to be around the beautiful Charles Bridge as it starts to get dark, come and watch the old-fashioned tradition of lighting up the gas lights on Charles Bridge.
It’s done by an official gas lighter dressed in a period costume who walks across the bridge and lights up all the gas lights. It’s definitely a one-off experience and a lovely tradition, too. The lighting starts from 4 pm and the lighting starts from the statue of Charles IV in front of the church and the Gothic bridge tower on the Old Town Square side of the bridge.
- Location: Charles Bridge, Old Town, Prague 1 – trams 17, 18 stop Karlovy Lazne
- Opening Times: 2-23 December 2023, daily from 4 pm
- Tickets: Free
6. Watch the ballet or opera at the Theatre
I always feel festive when I visit the National Theatre, the Estate Theatre or the National Opera before Christmas and this year is no different. I’ve seen the Nutcracker ballet last year and it was superbly done – the scenes were transformed into Dickensian England, so it felt even more Christmassy than ever.
This year, I’m looking forward to seeing the Ball at the Savoy opera ( a glitzy and twinkly 1930s are perfect for the festive season). Many plays, ballets and operas now have English subtitles, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to follow.
- Location: National Theatre, Estates Theatre, National Opera
- Opening Times: various dates, evening shows + some matinees
- Tickets: vary – from 190 CZK for standing tickets at National Theatre or the Estates Theatre or 490 CZK (sitting ticket) for the National Opera to 1500 CZK for the best tickets.
7. Enjoy a Christmas Concert
Each year, you can find many Christmas themed concerts in the church venues in the centre of Prague, including St.Nicholas, St.Salvator, St. Martin in the Wall, Klementinum or Spanish Synagogue.
If you want to try something very traditional (and Czech) go for a Christmas Mass by F. Ryba, who was a music teacher and this mass was his masterpiece.
- Location: St.Nicholas, St, Salvador. St.Martin church etc
- Opening Times: various dates, evening shows + some matinees
- Tickets: prices vary depending on venue – from 350 CZK to 900 CZK for the best tickets
8. Prague Symphony Orchestra Concerts (1-14 December 2023)
The concerts are held in the beautiful Smetana Hall at the Municipal House and you also get to see the surrounding rooms and entrance halls. Practically every part of the hall is decorated with paintings, murals and sculptures all in 1920s style by Mucha and other talented artists.
There are different types of concerts, such as the best of Christmas classical music, the best of Mozart or Dvorak, Nutcracker, the best of Christmas Carols or the traditional Czech church mass ‘Rybova Mse’.
- Location: Municipal House, Republic Square 5, Prague 1 (nearest underground Namesti Republiky).
- Opening Times: the concerts are held in the evening on various days (sometimes there are two concerts in different halls) through the November, December and January
- Tickets: 700 – 1890CZK depending on the type of seats
9. Nativity Scene Display at the Church of Our Lady Victorious and The Infant Jesus of Prague
The nativity scene in front of the church is always very colourful and before Christmas there is also added live donkey and other animals to for the children to feed and pet. You are also welcome to visit the church where you can find out more about the legend of the infant Jesus of Prague and spend some time in quiet space of the church.
- Location: Church of Our Lady Victorious – Helichova stop on tram number 22, 20, 12 close to the Malostranske Square, Prague 1
- Opening Times: 25 November – 24 December 2023 – including live animals during weekends and running up to Christmas Day
- Tickets: Free
10. Go for a coffee or a Christmas Cocktail in a cosy old-fashioned coffee house
There are so many amazing coffee places in Prague and winter is the perfect opportunity to sit indoors, relax and enjoy some nice hot drinks.
Each coffee house makes different Christmas flavours, such as Gingergread, Egnog, Spiced, hot chocolates are made with mint flavours and topped with minimarshmallows. You can also get spiced apple, orange or pear hot drinks and the cocktails have Christmas flavours too.
11. Feed the animals and enjoy Christmas at Prague ZOO
Visit Prague Zoo on 24 December which is officially the main Christmas day in the Czech Republic. The ZOO has a special opening time on the 24 December (10-2 pm) and children ticket is a symbolic 1 CZK. You are welcome to bring carrots, vegetables or dried bread for the animals as this is the only day in the year when you are allowed to feed the animals.
- Location: U Trojského zámku 120/3, 171 00 Prague 7 – Troja (Bus 234 from Holesovice underground station)
- Opening Times – Open all year round, 9-4 pm (December) and 2023 – 16 December 2023 each day from 7 pm.
- Tickets – Special Christmas guided evening tours are 250 KCZ for adults and need to be pre-booked).
12. Prague Christmas Markets (25 November – 24 December 2023 & 6 January 2024)
From the first advent weekend – the end of November – you’ll find outdoor markets, festivals and other events starting to appear to celebrate the start of the festive season.
The markets are open from 10 am til 10 pm every day and whilst the smaller markets close down on the 24 December, the Old Town Square Market stays open until the 6 January (to mark the arrival of the three kings).
The Christmas markets are held in these areas:
- Old Town Square
- Wenceslas Square – close to the Mustek Metro – Underground
- Peace Square – Namesti Miru – in front of the St. Ludmila Church
- Namesti Republiky – Republic Square – in front of the Palladium shopping centre
- Andel – next to the Angel Metro – Underground
- Prague Castle
- Marianske Square
- Opening Times: 25 November 2023 – 6 January 2024, every day 10 am – 10 pm
- Price: Free
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13. Nativity exhibition at Bethlehem Chapel
This is one of my favourite places to visit during Christmas. It’s been going on since 1980 and it’s organising it’s largely the work of one family and their friends.
The exhibition is beautifully set out in the chapel’s crypt with different sets of nativity scenes – some very old and traditional made from wood, some modern made from textiles, glass or even gingerbread cookies. There is usually carol singing on the 24 December in the morning (which is when Christmas traditionally celebrated in the Czech Republic).
There is always a little stall with handmade christmas decorations from this year’s exhibitors and you can also take a hot drink to walk around the exhibition. It’s magical!
- Location: Betlemske Square 256/5, Old Town, Prague 1, close to Old Town Square
- Opening Times: 25 November 2023 – 3 January 2024, every day 9 am – 6 pm (special opening times 24 & 31 December 9 am-2 pm and 25 December and 1 January 1 pm – 6 pm
- Prices: Entry is 120 KCZ (children 60 CZK)
14. Taste Czech Christmas
If you want to try something a bit different, taste some of the delicious Czech food available at Christmas. You can get most of these in the Christmas Markets, restaurants or local supermarkets. The traditional canteen style restaurants will also have more festive dishes, including traditional Czech Christmas Dinner on their menus and you can try something a bit different each day.
Traditional Christmas Sweet
- Vanocka – a light brioche style bread with almonds, dried fruits, which is similar to Easter Mazanec and often eaten for a festive breakfast with coffee or tea.
- Stola – Stollen cake – slightly heavier sweet dough with marzipan, almonds, raisins and dried fruit
- Pernicky – Gingerbreads decorated with lemon icing
- Vanocni Cukrovi – small Christmas biscuits or cookies – different flavours & styles, such as Vceli Uly (traditional Beehive cookies) which are made with egg nog filling
Savoury Dishes
- Breaded & Fried Carp & Potato Salad – the traditional Czech Christmas Dinner
- Breaded & Fried Chicken or Pork with Potato Salad
- Fish soup – traditional starter on Christmas eve
Festive Drinks
- Svarak – Mulled wine
- Hot Apple Juice with cinnamon (with alcohol or without)
- Hot Pear Juice with spices (with alcohol or without)
- Egg nog – light and creamy sweet alcohol drink
15. Ride on a Christmas tram
Each year at the start of the Advent you can see specially decorated tram with Christmas lights. The tram is a part of a regular Prague public transport, so you can ride it with just a normal tram ticket for 30 or 40 CZK (for 30 or 90 minutes).
Similarly, like with the historic tram no. 42, the best photos are actually from the outside and if you are anywhere around the centre of Prague, you can see the tram lighting up the streets.
16. Walk across Charles Bridge at dawn (when it’s snowing)
One of my favourite Christmas in Prague was when I woke up super early on 25 December and couldn’t go back to sleep. I saw through the window, that it started to snow, so instead of staying warm indoors, I decided to walk through the quiet streets of Prague.
It was just the most amazing and peaceful time and as I was getting closer to Charles Bridge it started to get lighter. I was quite surprised that even on that day I wasn’t the only person on the bridge, but it was so special!
17. Ice-skating at outdoor ice-rings
Each year there are many pop-up outdoor ice-skating rinks in Prague; often with a beautiful backdrop of old houses in the middle of the Prague.
You can borrow ice-skates at the rink, so all you need to do is to just to came along and be dressed appropriately (few layers, gloves, hat, but not too warm as you’ll get warm skating around the ring).
The largest ice-scating ring is in Letna (opposite the Sparta Footbal Stadium – tram stop ‘Sparta’ or you can walk there from the Letna park) and the smaller one is in Smichov (14 October Square – Namesti 14 Rijna) behind the St. Wenceslas Church. Entrance tickets are either free or moderate and renting ice-skates start from 50-100 CZK. The ice-skating rings are open every day.
Letna Ice Ring
This year, the ice ring at Letna will have two separate rings – the usual large ring for everyone and a smaller ring for children. The ice ring facilities include refreshments, ice-skating rentals, lockers, toilets and seating areas.
- Location: Letna ice ring, Letna, Prague 7, nearest tram stop Sparta, tram numbers 12
- Opening Times: 1 December 2023 – 18 February 2024 (special opening times are 24. 12. 2023: 9.00–14.00, 31. 12. 2023: 9.00–16.00) open daily – Monday – Sunday 9 am – 9 pm
- Tickets: whole day entry 100 CZ – anyone over 18 years, under 18 years – free, ice skates rent 130 CZK for 2 hrs (adults) or 60 CZK under 18 years old (or you can bring your own ice skates), lockers 30 CZK
Capadlo Ice Ring
This is much smaller ice ring next to the Vltava River, but with a beautiful views of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. Since it’s right next to the river, it’s also quite cold, so wrap up warm!
- Location: Ice ring ‘Capadlo’ bellow Smetanovo Nabrezi (Smetana Embankment), Old Town, Prague 1, nearest tram stop Narodni Divadlo or Karlovy Lazne, tram numbers 9,22,17, 18
- Opening Times: 15 November 2023 – January 2024 – open daily – Monday – Friday 2 pm – 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 10 pm
- Tickets: whole day entry 120 CZ – anyone over 6 years, under 6 years – free (when accompanied by adults), ice skates rent 150 CZK per hour (or you can bring your own)
18. Enjoy taking a stroll through special light display Parks
This year, there are three different light displays in Prague, that will get you into the festive mood, especially if you are travelling with children. Equally, what could be more romantic then to walk through millions of lights, whilst sipping on a mulled wine.
The light displays are colourful and turned into a fairy tale scenes, palaces, towns and there are also plenty of twinkling trees, angels and stars.
The Lumina Park and the ‘The lights tell a story…’ park are done in a more traditional way by creating sculptures and shapes with lots of lights. The Lumina Park is more interactive and has a colourful lights.
The Winter Wonderland is the biggest park out of all three and has over 100 different light installations, including colourful cut outs of characters from children fairy tales, illuminated large colourful scuptures of animals (from within) and also an amusement rides and interactive illuminations as part of the park.
I think, that if you have children they will enjoy the Winter Wonderland the most, but it’s also the most expensive of the parks (see my insider tip for a cheaper entrance fee).
Insider Tip: The tickets for all three parks are always more expensive at the weekend and evening. For example if you come before 4.30 pm to the Winder Wonderland Park the tickets are 240 CZK (adult prices) – weekend prices are 350 CZK. In the winter the sunset is about 4 pm in Prague, so it will be dark by the time you walk around. Tickets are also cheaper if you buy them in advance online.
LUMINA PARK
- Location: Lumina Park Light Display – Koupaliste Dzban – entry from Nad Lavkou Street, Prague 6, nearest tram no 20, 1 or 2 ‘Nad Dzbanem’ or 10 minutes walk from underground station Nadrazi Veleslavin.
- Opening Times: 20 October 2023 – 25 February 2024 – Tuesday till Sunday (closed on Mondays) from 4.30 pm (December), from 5 pm (January), 17.30 pm (February)
- Tickets: from 240 CZ – children/students or 280 CZK Adults (Tuesday – Thursday), 260 CZK – children/students or 310 CZK adults (Fri, Sat, Sun + public holidays) -, family ticket from 900 CZK, children under 2 years – free entry
WINTER WONDERLAND PARK
- Location: Winter Wonderland Park – oposit the Shopping Centre at Letnany – entry is from Tupolevova Street, few minutes walk from underground station Letnany or bus no. 136, 140, 110 to stop Tupolevova
- Opening Times: 20 October 2023 – 25 February 2024 – every day Monday till Sunday from 3 pm – 9.30 pm
- Tickets: 290 CZK Adults (Monday – Thursday), 350 CZK CZK adults (Fri, Sat, Sun + public holidays) -, family ticket from 990 – 1400 CZK, children under 80 cm (any age) – free entry, 240 CZK Monday – Thursday before 4.30 pm
THE LIGHTS TELL A STORY… PARK
- Location: Svetla Vypraveji (The lights tell a story…) – Zlute Lazne (Yellow Spa) – Podolske Nabrezi 1184/3, nearest tram no 2,3, 17 stop ‘Dvorce’
- Opening Times: 20 October 2023 – 31 January 2024 – every day – Monday til Sunday from 4 pm – 9 pm (last entry 8 pm)
- Tickets: from 150 CZ – children/students or 250 CZK Adults (weekdays), 200 CZK – children/students or 300 CZK adults (weekends + public holidays), family ticket from 700-900 CZK, children under 3 years – free entry
19. Pottery & Traditional Crafts Market (2-3 December 2023)
The market is pretty special as it features over 130 craftsmen and artists from all over the country who bring their handmade pottery products, including mugs, vases, decorations and other art made from pottery and clay. Apart from the pottery stalls, you can also see pretty stationery, earrings, jewellery and handmade clothes.
There are also food stalls with cheeses, sausages, pâtés, pretzels, Christmas cookies, gingerbread, caramels, mead and mulled wine.
- Location: Exhibition Centre Holesovice, Prague 7, trams 5, 6, 12, 18 stop right in front of the exhibition area – tram stop ‘ Vystaviste’ and the entry to the event is free
- Opening times: 2-3 December 2023, 10 am – 6 pm
- Tickets: Free to enter
20. Dyzajn Market – Winter Edition – 9-10 December 2023
Dyzajn Market is one of my favourite places to go to buy an unusual and unique gift, a little treat and to get inspired by the beautiful designs and art on display.
The winter Dyzajn Market will include over 180 local artists, designers and makers who will present their products including fashion clothes, jewellery, pottery, toys, stationery, gift cards, accessories, and handbags. There will be also fashion show and entertainment programme for both children and adults.
- Location: Exhibition Centre Holesovice, Prague 7, trams 5, 6, 12, 18 stop right in front of the exhibition area – tram stop ‘ Vystaviste’ and the entry to the event is free
- Opening Times: 9-10 December 2023, 10 am – 6 pm
- Tickets: Free to enter
21. Fata Morgana Greenhouse Evening guided tour
Spend a magical evening in the warmth of a tropical forest in Prague, when you take the special Christmas guided tours of the Fata Morgana Greenhouse in Troja. Some plants grown in the greenhouse have more intensive smell after dark and it’s a perfect way to submerge yourself into the green surroundings of the tropical forest.
Insider Tip: To get to the garden and the greenhouse, it’s quite a bit of a hike up the steep streets from the bus stop, so allow extra time to get there for your tour.
- Location: Nádvorní 2, 171 00 Praha-Troja (Bus 234 from Holesovice underground station)
- Opening Times – The Fata Morgana Greenhouse is open all year round, but the special evening tours are running from the 10 November 2023 – 16 December 2023 each day from 7 pm.
- Tickets – Special Christmas guided evening tours are 250 KCZ for adults and need to be pre-booked).
22. Christmas at the Czech Castles (a perfect day out from Prague)
Most castles close for the winter season at the end of October, but some re-open for special Advent tours, when you can see the castle rooms decorated for Christmas.
I always visit at least one or two castles during the winter times, as the atmosphere is amazing – it’s cold and usually snows outside and inside each room is decorated with Christmas decorations and lights. The tours are usually different too as they focus on the Czech Christmas traditions and how each particular family or historic period celebrated the festive season.
This year, the castles at Karlstejn (40 minutes by train from Prague), Trebon (2 hrs by train from Prague), Krivoklat (1,5 hrs by train from Prague), Slatinany (just under 2 hrs by train), Mnisek pod Brdy (45 minutes by bus from Smichov Train Station) and Loucen (1,5 hrs) will be opening each weekend before Christmas.
Trebon is also beautiful as a town and it’s also a place where most of the carp come from as there are many fishing lakes. The fishing lake areas around Trebon are also on the UNESCO list in Czech Republic, so it’s a pretty special place to visit before Christmas.
23. Nativity Scenes Museum at Karlstejn
This is really lovely Christmas museum, which is opened all year round. I’ve been periodically visiting the museum every few years since it was opened in 1995 and every year there is something new or different to look at. The nativity scenes are made from traditional wood, but also paper, wax, sugar and even bread. Each year before Christmas, they also bake special nativy scenes made from fresh gingerbread.
The most spectacular nativity scene is the Karlštejn Royal Nativity Scene, which is the largest nativity scene in the Czech Republic, covering an area of 80 m2.
The several-meter-high model of Karlštejn Castle is decorated with 46 figures carved from wood and dressed in period costumes. You can see the baby Jesus, who is being brought gifts by the 10 of the most significant Bohemian Kings, led by Charles IV, who brings him the gift of the Karlštejn Castle.
Getting to the museum is very easy (the same as getting to Karlstejn Castle from Prague) and you can combine your visit to the castle itself too if you like.
- Location: Karlstejn Village 11, 267 18, 40 minutes by train from Prague Smichov Train Station, the museum is on the main street walking up to the Karlstejn Castle
- Opening Times – The museum is open all year round, but the during the festive season, the museum is open daily in December – Monday – Friday from 12 noon – 4 pm and Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 5 pm, November Saturdays & Sundays only 10 am – 4pm, special holidays – 24 December 10 am – 3 pm, 25-31 December 10 am – 5pm and 1-7 January 2024, 10 am – 4 pm.
- Tickets – 120 CZK Adults, Children 60 CZK, Seniors over 70 years and students 90 CZK, children under 5 free
24. Christmas at the rural village skansen at Prerov nad Labem
The skansen in Prerov nad Labem is my favourite place to soak up the Christmas atmosphere and I always visit the village, when it’s decorated for Christmas from mid November to 23 December.
Currently, there are a total of 33 folk houses in the museum, including 7 cottages, 7 barns, and 2 granaries. Each cottage is furnished with festive decorations and explanations about the different customs focusing on the life of rural people in the central Elbe region from the late 18th century to the mid-20th century.
Insider Tip: Make sure you wrap up warm and bring some refreshments with you. There are few places to get a coffee in the village, but the skansen doesn’t have any refreshments.
- Location: Prerov nad Labem
- How to get there: regular buses no. 398 from Cerny Most (last stop on the Prague Underground Line B) takes about 30 minutes to stop at Prerov nad Labem – Rozcesti U Obory and then 20 minutes walk to the village.
- Opening Times: Tuesday – Sunday, 10 am -4 pm
- Ticket cost: 120 CZK adult 60 CZK children
25. Visit the ice sculpture exhibition – 11.12 – 15.4. 2024
The first ever ice sculpture exhibition – Ice Magic, is showcasing 70 sculptures made from 180 tonnes of ice. The sculptures were made by talented artists from across Europe.
The exhibition’s theme is fairy tales and you can see different characters such as Maya the Bee, Krtek – The Mole (both popular Czech children fairytale characters). There are also characters from Frozen, The Lion King and “Ice Age.
The exhibition is held in a special chilled tent with a temperature below zero, so make sure you wrap up warm!
- Location: Riegrovy Sady 28, Prague 2, Vinohrady – 10 min walk from Jiriho z Podebrad Underground Station
- Opening Times: Every day from 10:00 to 22:00
- Admission: adults 300 CZK, children 250 CZK, family of 3 persons 800 CZK, family of 4 persons 950 CZK, family of 5 persons 1150 CZK
This blog post was originally written on 14 November 2023 and last updated on 14 November 2023