Prague's Christmas markets 2024: Best locations, dates, and highlights for festive fun

We show you which markets are open, where, when, and what you can do at them—from best food and drink to family-friendly attractions.

Expats.cz Staff

Written by Expats.cz Staff Published on 20.11.2024 17:00:00 (updated on 22.11.2024) Reading time: 4 minutes

Wednesday, Nov. 20, sees the opening of Prague’s first advent market of the season, at Náměstí Míru in Prague’s Vinohrady district. Soon, the season of chestnuts, mulled wine, and carillons will be in full swing throughout the Czech capital, with the largest market at Prague's Old Town Square opening on Nov. 30. Tree lighting takes place at 4 p.m.

In addition to essential information like market times, dates, and performance programs, we’ve also compiled some tips for choosing the market that best suits you, whether you’re looking for family-oriented festivities or fantastic food stalls.

Most Instagrammable

Many of Prague’s Christmas markets feature stunning displays, among them a tree adorned with a hand-painted nativity scene at Náměstí Míru, glowing with hundreds of twinkling lights. Wenceslas Square offers a backdrop of the National Museum, while the Old Town Square tree, takes center stage with its dazzling decorations and 22-meter centerpiece fir tree. But only Old Town and Wenceslas Square are regularly voted the world's most Instagrammable with close to 11,000 hashtags.

Best for live performances

Wenceslas Square hosts live performances every Thursday to Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m., Old Town Square is set to feature multiple stages with performances (details to be announced), while Náměstí Míru offers theater shows and concerts throughout the season. Jiřího z Poděbrad (Jiřák) will see a carillon performance on Dec. 1. Kampa market invites the public to a carol sing under the Charles Bridge on Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.

🎁Castle Christmas creations

Prague Castle opens its doors on Nov. 30 for free tours of its Christmas-decorated, normally inaccessible spaces. Visitors can explore key rooms, exhibitions, and enjoy Christmas concerts and themed events. An exhibition of traditional blown glass ornaments in the Rožmberk Palace will also offer the opportunity to buy ornaments.

Best for artisans

For a local-first shopping experience, head to Jiřák every Advent Sunday for the Show What You Can Do market, where local Czech creators and designers showcase their handmade products. The Kampa markets specialize in pottery, while the Mariánské Náměstí market features sales from non-profits and sheltered workshops, offering everything from ornaments and candles to jewelry and wooden puppets.

Family-friendly fun

Families will find plenty to enjoy at Jiřák, where a straw play area, a wish-writing station at Ježíšek’s office, and festive performances by local schoolchildren await. The nearby Žižkov nativity scene also sets the scene for holiday cheer. On the final Sunday of Advent, scouts will distribute the Bethlehem Light here, a symbol of peace.

At the Wenceslas Square market a blacksmith will be demonstrating traditional crafts, while Old Town Square adds a petting zoo with sheep, goats, and ponies to the merry mix. Mariánské Náměstí offers a small stage with performances by children’s music groups, and Náměstí Míru plans a series of Christmas workshops for kids. Theater performances and concerts round out the family-friendly offerings.

✨ LIGHTS ON

This year, the lighting of Prague's biggest Christmas tree on Old Town Square will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m.

Best for food & mulled wine

For food lovers, the Advent markets at Kulaťák (Nov. 30 to Dec. 21) are a must-visit every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., for mulled wine, pastries, hot cider, roasted chestnuts, fresh fish, sausages, cheeses, and traditional Czech holiday foods like fried carp with potato salad. Náměstí Míru offers a more unconventional food selection, including crepes and French cheeses while the JZP market serves up everything from Christmas punch to farm-fresh fare.

For more details on performance and market opening dates and times, link to official programs via our 2024 Christmas market guide.

Prague Christmas market overview

Old Town Square (Prague 1)

  • Dates: Nov. 30, 2024 – Jan. 6, 2025

    Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

    (Food stalls until midnight)

    Official website

Wenceslas Square (lower half, Prague 1)

  • Dates: Nov. 30 to Jan. 6, 2025

    Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

    (Food stalls until midnight)

    Official website

Náměstí Republiky (Prague 1)

Mariánské náměstí (Prague 1)

Kampa (Prague 1)

Náměstí Míru (Prague 2)

Tylovo náměstí (Prague 2)

Jiřího z Poděbrad (Prague 3)

Anděl (Prague 5)

Additional markets worth visiting

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