Tag: christmas

Christmas in Prague

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, and since we’ve no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” Well, there is no need to worry about frightful weather as snow has been rather rare in Prague at Christmas in recent years but there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the Christmas spirit in this beautiful city.

Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the Christmas markets. The traditional Prague Christmas markets are considered to be among the top Christmas markets in the world. They start always on 1 December and close at the end of the year or in the first week of January. Beautifully decorated Christmas trees protect nativity scenes, stallholders offer typical Christmas products and you may also admire displays of traditional Czech crafts.

The largest Christmas market is in the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí). This year’s angel-themed market is dominated by a large Christmas tree decorated in traditional colours – green, white, golden and red. The entire square is filled with the sweet smells of traditional Christmas treats, such as roasted chestnuts, hot wine, punch or mead as well as Christmas sweets and gingerbread. If you are not a sweet-toothed person, you may choose from a wide variety of meat meals, including Czech sausages, grilled chicken, pork knuckle and many others. Most stalls offer Christmas goods and Czech hand-made products – Christmas decorations, cookie cutters, candles or Advent wreaths. All-time favourites include traditional Czech blown glass balls, straw decorations, hand-woven blankets and wooden nativity scenes. You may also look forward to live performances of folklore and children’s groups. Stalls are open every day from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m.

There are many other Christmas markets in squares all over Prague, including Václavské náměstí (Wenceslas Square), náměstí Republiky, náměstí Míru, náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, Tylovo náměstí and Výstaviště Holešovice (Holešovice Exhibition Grounds).

Czech Christmas culminates on Christmas Eve on 24 December, when Christmas dinner is served. The menu typically includes fish soup, carp, wine sausages and schnitzels served with potato salad. After dinner, people exchange gifts brought to Czech children by Baby Jesus.

Come and experience Christmas atmosphere in Prague and try out all the renowned Christmas goodies!

Christmas tree light up in Prague will be special again!

There is one event, which all citizens of Prague truly love. Not even they get out of their warm and comfortable homes, but they will take their whole families just to see it. I’m talking about a traditional light up of a Christmas tree at Old Town Square in Prague.

The tree is going to be first lit up on 26th November at 17:30 and is going to be 31 meters tall and its age is estimated at around 70 years. If you can’t make it on time, don’t worry, because this is not the only time the Christmas tree is going to be lit up this year.

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In the past few years, the city of Prague, has been concerned about terrorist attracts and it changed its concept about lighting up the tree, which makes it even better for tourist who want to see it. Two years ago, there was one big event when the Christmas tree was lit up at a certain hour on a certain day. In the new concept the tree is going to be lit up every hour between 17:30 and 20:30 until 6th January. As a citizen of Prague, I do not really understand why the authorities are so concerned about terrorist attacks, but new era requires better precautions, so we all are going to be safe and sound.

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As a spectator, you might get cold while watching the Christmas tree being lit up. I’m mentioning this, because the tree is literally surrounded by traditional Czech Christmas market and you could help yourself with some warm mulled wine, tea or punch. My personal favourite is warmed almond mead. But the alcohol is not all what Christmas market offers. You could buy yourself a nicely decorated gingerbread or a handmade Christmas tree decorations and baubles.

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It is important that Christmas market have got something for everybody, including the music fans. Every year, there is a stage by the Christmas tree where children choirs and various musicians perform Czech Christmas carols. You might hear carols like Good King Wenceslas. Even though this is English Christmas carol, the story is linked to Czech saint Wenceslas I. from 9th century.

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There is another tradition you might love to see as well. Celebration of Saint Nicolaus day. This happens on 5th of December. People will get dressed up as devils, angels and Saint Nicolauses and on the evening they will head into the city centre of Prague as a triplet. The idea behind is to scare little kids. If the kid was not behaving well all year long and it was annoying its parents, then they might pass it to the devil, who puts them into massive sack and take it to the hell with him. There is also possibility that kid was good and in that case, the kid will receive some sweets from angel and Saint Nicolaus. I do remember being so scared as a kid as I never was good all year long.

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I hope you are going to embrace idea of Chrismassy Prague and you’ll add it onto your travel list. In case you would like to learn more about Prague, book a tour with Think Prague and we’ll make sure you have the best possible experience.