Prague Christmas Markets 2026: Dates, Food & Tips

Prague's two main Christmas markets, on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, run from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 and are open 10:00–22:00. Two smaller markets open earlier and close on Christmas Eve: Náměstí Míru (20 November–24 December 2026, 10:00–20:00) and Náměstí Republiky (25 November–24 December 2026).

Below you will find the 2026 dates for each market, what to eat and drink, the Czech Christmas customs worth knowing, and two easy ways to fit the markets into your trip: a private walking tour of Prague that typically finishes on Old Town Square, or a day trip by car to the Advent markets in Dresden and Pirna. We checked all dates on the organisers' websites and at Prague City Tourism on 14 October 2026.

Prague Christmas market dates 2026

The table lists the Christmas markets in central Prague whose 2026 dates have been published by the organiser or by Prague City Tourism. The two large markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square are run by the same organiser and share the same dates and hours; their official website is trhypraha.cz. The smaller markets appear in the events calendar of Prague City Tourism (prague.eu).

Smaller seasonal markets appear in other parts of the city too; we list only the four main open-air markets in the centre, and one-day and design markets are in the Prague City Tourism calendar. Stage programmes and any changes to opening hours over the holidays are published by the organisers closer to the season, so check the links above shortly before you go.

Old Town Square: the main Christmas market in Prague

Old Town Square is the heart of Christmas in Prague. Wooden stalls fill the square around a tall Christmas tree, with the twin Gothic towers of the Týn Church behind it, the Old Town Hall and its Astronomical Clock on one side and the Jan Hus Memorial in the middle. Stalls sell hot drinks, snacks, Christmas decorations and handmade goods.

The square is at its most atmospheric after dark, when the tree and the facades are lit. It is also the busiest of the markets, especially in the evenings and at weekends. If you prefer more space, come in the late morning on a weekday, when it is usually quieter. The 2026 stage programme had not yet been published when we checked; the organiser posts it on the Old Town Square programme page.

Wenceslas Square

The second large market stands on Wenceslas Square, a short walk from Old Town Square. It has the same dates and hours as the Old Town Square market. Wenceslas Square is a long, broad boulevard rather than an enclosed square, so the market feels more open, and it is a practical stop if you are staying in the New Town.

Náměstí Míru and Náměstí Republiky

If you arrive in Prague in the second half of November, the market on Náměstí Míru in the Vinohrady district is the first to open, on 20 November 2026. It is set in front of the Church of St Ludmila and is open daily 10:00–20:00 until 24 December. The square has its own metro station, Náměstí Míru, on line A.

The market on Náměstí Republiky, in the part of the square towards V Celnici street, opposite the Municipal House, runs from 25 November to 24 December 2026. Both of these markets close on Christmas Eve, so if you are in Prague between Christmas and early January, head for Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, which stay open until 6 January 2027.

What to eat and drink at the Christmas markets

Most of the market food is simple, warm and eaten standing up. These are the things you will see most often:

• Svařené víno (svařák) – mulled wine, red or white, the classic market drink
• Grog – hot water with rum, sugar and lemon
• Medovina – mead, a honey wine often served warm
• Klobása – grilled sausage, usually served with bread and mustard
• Trdelník – sweet dough wrapped around a spit, baked and rolled in sugar and nuts
• Langoš – fried flat dough with garlic, cheese or ketchup
• Roasted chestnuts and gingerbread (perník)

Prices are displayed at each stall, so it is worth a quick look before ordering. For food sold by weight, such as roast ham, the displayed price usually refers to 100 grams rather than a portion.

Czech Christmas traditions worth knowing

Christmas in the Czech Republic has its own customs, and several of them are visible in the streets during your stay. More background is on Wikipedia's page on Czech Christmas.

• Advent – the four Sundays before Christmas; many families light one more candle on an Advent wreath each Sunday.
• St Barbara's Day, 4 December – people cut a cherry branch and put it in water; if it blossoms by Christmas Eve, it is said to bring luck.
• St Nicholas Eve, 5 December – in the evening, people dressed as St Nicholas (Mikuláš), an angel and a devil walk the streets and visit children, who get sweets for a poem or a song.
• Cukroví – many kinds of small cookies baked at home in the weeks before Christmas, such as vanilla crescents (vanilkové rohlíčky) and jam-filled linzer cookies (linecké).
• Carp – in the days before Christmas, live carp are sold from large water tubs in the streets. Fried carp with potato salad is the traditional Christmas Eve dinner.
• Christmas Eve, 24 December – the main day of Czech Christmas. Presents are opened after dinner and are brought by Ježíšek, the Baby Jesus, rather than Santa Claus. Some people fast during the day in the hope of seeing the "golden piglet".
• Small customs at the table – cutting an apple crosswise (a star-shaped core promises good health), floating walnut shells with small candles, and keeping a carp scale in your wallet for money in the year ahead.

24, 25 and 26 December are public holidays in the Czech Republic.

See the Christmas markets on a private walking tour of Prague

Our half-day private walking tour of Prague is led by a licensed English-speaking guide, and the guide's fee is part of the tour price. It starts in front of the main gate of Prague Castle, spends about an hour in the castle area and continues through Nový Svět, the Strahov viewpoint, Petřín, Kampa, Čertovka and Charles Bridge to Old Town Square, so in Advent the typical route finishes right at the Christmas market. The programme is flexible and can be adjusted to your interests.

It is a walking tour: there is no car and no hotel pickup. One price covers your private group of up to four people, entrance fees are paid on site, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start. The half-day tour takes about 5 hours 30 minutes; if you would like more time, there is also a full-day walking tour of about 9 hours.

Beyond Prague: Dresden and Pirna Christmas markets by car

The Striezelmarkt on Dresden's Altmarkt square is one of Germany's oldest Christmas markets; in 2026 it is held for the 592nd time, from 25 November to 24 December, according to the City of Dresden. Pirna, a small town on the Elbe on the way to Dresden, holds its Canaletto Christmas market on the historic market square from 24 November to 23 December and again 27–30 December 2026 (closed 24–26 December), according to the organiser, canalettomarkt.de. Both markets are open during the day from 26 November to 23 December 2026 (the Striezelmarkt opens on the evening of 25 November and closes at 14:00 on 24 December). More about the city itself is in our Dresden day trip guide.

Our Advent day trip to Dresden and Pirna visits both in one day: about an hour in Pirna's old town and Canaletto market, and about three hours in Dresden for the old town and the Striezelmarkt. You travel in a private car with an English-speaking driver, who helps with directions and practical matters but is not a guide; a licensed local guide can be added on request. One price covers the whole car for up to 8 people and includes fuel, tolls, parking and pickup anywhere in Prague. Food, drinks and entrance fees are not included, and we do not book tickets or restaurants.

Practical tips for the Prague Christmas markets

• Dress for the cold. Late November and December in Prague are usually cold and often damp; our Prague weather by month guide shows what to expect.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The squares and Old Town streets are cobbled and can be slippery in frost or snow.
• Come early or on a weekday if you prefer fewer people; evenings and weekends are the busiest times.
• Carry a card and some Czech crowns. The local currency is the Czech koruna (CZK).
• Keep your bag closed and in front of you in busy crowds, as at any popular event.
• Check the dates before you travel. If you are still deciding when to come, our article on the best time to visit Prague compares the seasons.