Christmas Markets in Prague – magical advent season
From the beginning of December, when the Christmas tree is lit on the Old Town Square, Prague residents and tourists come to admire the beautiful light decorations on the Christmas tree and also to nostalgically stop in time because only then is it possible to understand the magical atmosphere of Prague Christmas market near the biggest symbol of time – the Astronomical Clock.
Traditionally, there is a rich cultural and music program for everyone. The main stage mostly hosts choirs of all age groups from the Czech Republic and abroad, singing Christmas songs and carols. In the evening, you can meet artists in the square (as seen in the photo), playing the guitar and thus contributing to the romantic atmosphere.
The organizers are well aware that not only the spirit keeps a man alive, but that also the gastronomic part of the market is important. There is the opportunity to enjoy grilled smoked Old Prague ham and customers can choose which piece he wants the cook to cut from a large piece of meat on the spit. You can also have traditional sausages or a skewer directly from the grill too, of course. We definitely recommend tasting a regional specialty, called trdelník. Its origin dates back to the first half of the 19th century. Its dough is evenly wrapped around a stick, then grilled and topped with cinnamon sugar and almonds. It seems that Czechs like grilling in every season ☺ . There are also roasted chestnuts, traditional potato pancakes or langoš (fried pancake with garlic, ketchup and sprinkled with grated cheese). Of course, you can also taste mulled wine, without which it is impossible to imagine Christmas markets, but classic grog, Czech rum fixed with hot water, or Old Czech Mead (brew of caramelized sugar, honey, lemon and orange peel with later addition of vodka) are also becoming popular. There is also draft beer. Apropos on December 24 the Mayor invites everyone to the market to get free fish soup with croutons.
You can do Christmas shopping in the festive stands, which offer various original presents. You can also see demonstrations of old crafts – e.g. blacksmith making various medieval products and decorations in front of speactators…
See also the large number of Prague nativity scenes, which can be admired in many churches when walking around festively decorated Prague. Inside, you will most likely be able to find unique nativity scenes with a long tradition.
There is a great fun on New Year’s Eve in the city center, especially in the Wenceslas Square and the Old Town Square. Everything culminates at midnight. People wish each other all the best, fire champagne bottles as well as thousands of fireworks. All continues until January 1 (from 6 PM), when the city of Prague sponsors spectacular New Year’s fireworks – a great show worth seeing!
When: 28/11/2015 – 03/01/2016 (10:00 AM - 22:00 PM)
Admission: free
We invite you all the more because in the advent season we offer virtually the lowest hotel prices in the year (except for the New Year’s Eve). Ask us for a non-binding quote of a hotel, restaurant in the center, or a cruise on the Vltava river. We guarantee that you will be surprised how low price we can offer! Just email us at cruises@czechfor.cz. If you stay on New Year’s Eve, please book a year in advance.
