If you are going to spend the coming holidays in Prague, there are many things what to do in the Czech capital. More than three weeks before Christmas you can already sense Christmas atmosphere in Prague.

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End of November - Christmas Tree Arrives in the Center of Prague. It is put in the stand in Old Town Square to be decorated. Last year was used 80 000 small lights, 700 flashing lights and 50 silver snowflakes to decorate the tree.

December - Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Old Town Square. Christmas trees are also lit in Ortenovo namesti, Andel or Strossmayerovo namesti and of corse Prague Castle.

Traditional Christmas Markets in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square start. Other Christmas markets are in namesti Miru, namesti Republiky and Andel and many other places.

December 5 - St. Nicholas
The evening before St. Nicholas Day, December 5, St. Nicholas strolls around the city, accompanied by an Angel and a Devil, visiting children and handing out presents. First, he asks the children whether they have been good and if not, they must promise they will be better next year.

December  13 - St. Lucille
The Czech nation also regards her as a guardian against witches. St. Lucille’s Day, December 13, used to be the winter solstice according to the older Julian calendar - the most significant moment of the entire year. This is where the old Czech saying "Lucille - shortens the night, but will not extend the day." comes from.

December 20 - big tubs with live carp for sale appear in the streets of town.

December 24 & 25 Christmas Eve and Christmas Holidays

December 31 – New Year´s Eve celebrations on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square with midnight fireworks.

January 1 2008 - New Year`s Fireworks
the best viewing areas alongside Vltava River, from CharlesBridge to Stefánik Bridge and on Letná Plain

The Christmas market in the Old Town Square is always full of tourists, who chose Christmas such as straw, wooden, glass, gingerbread, etc. as well as candles, sparklers, nativity scenes, advent wreaths, ceramics, Christmas cards, toys, sweets, mistletoe, chocolate decorations, traditional Christmas dough decorations, etc. There are also demonstrations of traditional folk crafts - blacksmiths, glassmakers, woodcarvers and makers of holiday decorations.
The traditional Czech Christmas Mass by J. J. Ryba is performed at the Old Town Square and people listen, drink mull – the hot spiced wine.
Besides the markets you can visit many actions taking place in Prague. You have a change to skate on ice in Ovocny trh in the centre of Prague.

Just like in most European nations, as well as numerous countries around the world, Christmas is among the biggest and most popular holidays in the Czech Republic. Over the centuries, Czech Christmas traditions, customs and ceremonies have developed into somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. 

Advent
The Christmas spirit can be felt from the onset of advent, which starts the first advent Sunday before Christmas Eve. Advent (adventus in Latin) means the "arrival". This is a time of strict fasting, where no joy, dance or singing is permitted. As can be seen from the name, its origins are purely religious. The tradition of lighting the four candles on an advent wreath is very common now. With the candle light symbolizing the arrival of Christ. Children now get a chocolate advent calendar which makes it easy for them to count the days until Christmas Eve.
During advent, towns put up Christmas trees and shop windows are decorated in traditional themes. The largest Christmas trees in the country can be found in Prague in the Old Town Square and at the Prague Castle, where Christmas carols and songs are sung. Boxes for charity purposes are usually placed under these trees. The historic districts of towns throughout the country host Christmas markets where traditional Christmas items can be found.

Christmas tree and Christmas Eve
Christmas trees are usually decorated on Christmas Eve, December 24, or earlier in some families.  Nativity scenes are arranged, Christmas presents are wrapped and preparations for Christmas dinner are made. The Czech traditional Christmas dinner consists of fish soup, breaded fried carp fillets and potato salad.
Christmas is a family holiday where no one should stay home alone. That’s why the entire family usually meets at the Christmas dinner table and if someone lives alone, they are invited over by friends or neighbors. The festive dinner is followed by the special moment which children look forward to all year long - unwrapping the presents from under the tree that were left by baby Jesus. To get the presents they wished for, many children write letters to baby Jesus before Christmas. On Christmas Eve, baby Jesus enters each home and leaves presents under the tree. He lights the candles and lights on it and then disappears without being seen just before the Christmas bell rings. Christmas carols are usually sung under the lit Christmas tree.

Christmas Eve used to be a day of strict fasting in the past, accompanied by a slew of folk traditions from manifold superstitions to poetic customs. Parents promised their children that they would see a golden piglet if they keep the fast. People also believed that there could not be an odd number of people sitting at a Christmas table therefore, they would be sure to invite guests ahead of time. Dinner has always been plentiful with several courses. The old traditional meals included Cerny Kuba (Black Jack or barley and mushroom casserole), pea or lentil soup, fruit, nuts, apples, roasted flat bread. Sometimes people would eat fish but it was not very common, as it was thought to be a meal fit for fasting. Not until the 19th century did carp find its way onto the Czech Christmas table.
Christmas and Easter are two of the main holidays in the Christian year. They are based on the biblical story of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. The Czech name for Christmas - Vánoce - indicates a number of holy nights (noc = night). Today however, only three days are widely known - Christmas Eve (December 24), The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (December 25) and St. Stephen’s Day (December 26). The 25th and 26th of December are holidays which are marked by families visiting each other, family lunches and dinners. Usually the traditional Czech roasted goose, duck or turkey with sauerkraut and dumplings is served. People also visit churches where nativity scenes are displayed.
Advent time is not only about exhibitions and concerts. People clean and decorate their houses before Christmas. Gifts for family and friends are purchased, Christmas and New Year’s cards are sent, Christmas bread and other Christmas pastries are baked (vanilla rolls, sugar cookies). Christmas trees are bought, typically spruces, firs or pines. Around December 20 big tubs with live carp for sale appear in the streets of town.

The hotel rooms and apartments in Prague are getting full during Christmas and it will be even more on New Year´s Eve. So if you are want to spend your Christmas or New Year celebration in Prague  we strongly recommend to make advanced Prague hotel or Prague apartment reservation soon. This applies also to Prague restaurants, Prague sighteeing and Prague entertainment activities.

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