Prague Christmas Markets are open from
November 20, 2015 – January 3, 2016

Visitors come from all over the world to experience the Christmas markets (vánoční trhy) in Prague. Some unique products that are available at the markets are Christmas ornaments and holiday decorations, traditional Czech Christmas cookies, tablecloths, Frankincense or the Czech Christmas potpourri called purpura. Some other items on offer are Czech wooden toys, crafts, clothing accessories, scented candles or handmade soap. You can taste some traditional Czech foods that are made fresh right in front of you. Hot wine (svařené víno or svařák), grog, and warm honey liquor called medovina come in handy in the cold weather. Czech Christmas carols add to the festive atmosphere. After dark, the markets are lit up beautifully.

When Are the Markets Running?

The dates during which Prague Christmas markets are open are usually different from year to year. In general, you’ll find at least some markets running from the last week of November into the first week of January. Almost all Prague’s Christmas markets are open in the three weeks before Christmas, including the main ones at Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. The smaller markets run until Christmas, the one on Old Town Square is usually open at least until January 1, and the Wenceslas Square market typically stays around through the first week of January.

Christmas Markets in Prague 2015 – 2016

The largest and most popular markets are on the Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square.

• Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)
November 28, 2015 – January. 3, 2016
10 a.m. – 10 p.m., food stands 10 a.m. – midnight
The Old Town Square Christmas market is the most beautiful and busiest one in Prague. Little stalls are nestled around the Jan Hus statue and surrounded by centuries old Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The market is dominated by a Christmas tree, which is adorned with hundreds of lights and is lit every evening at dusk, usually around 5 p.m. A stage is erected every year where Christmas concerts and short plays are performed in the open air.

• Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)
Nov. 28, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016
10 a.m. – 10 p.m., food stands 10 a.m. – midnight
This is another large Christmas market in the city center. It is located in the lower part of Wenceslas Square and is usually dominated by an artificial Christmas tree.

• Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky)
Nov. 25 – Dec. 24, 2015
A Christmas market within walking distance from the Old Town Square and near the Náměstí Republiky metro station (line B) and tram stop (tram 5, 8, 24, 26).

• Peace Square (Náměstí Míru)
Nov. 20 – Dec. 24, 2015
10 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily
This is a local Christmas market visited mostly by the residents of the surrounding district of Vinohrady. It is held in front of the Church of St. Ludmila on the pleasant Náměstí Míru in Prague 2 (metro line A or tram 4, 10, 16, 22 to Náměstí Míru). It is traditionally the first Christmas market of the season.

• Holešovice Exhibition Grounds (Výstaviště Holešovice)
Dec. 4 – 6, 2014
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
The ‘Christmas at the Exhibition Grounds’ market in Prague 7 is usually accompanied by a weekend entertainment program for both children and adults. The price of admission is 25 CZK. Take tram 12, 17 or 24 (e.g. from the Nádraží Holešovice metro station, line C) to Výstaviště Holešovice.