Autumn holidays in Czechia: Store closures and open days for 2024

This Saturday (Sept. 28), Czechia will celebrate Saint Wenceslas (Václav) and Czech Statehood Day, a public holiday that will affect daily business and cultural operations throughout the country. 

This holiday commemorates the death of Saint Václav, a Bohemian martyr who was later canonized for the miracles he performed. 

As a result, large stores over 200 square meters will be closed, in adherence to a law passed in 2016 that requires them to close on certain holidays. However, smaller shops will still be open for grocery shopping.

On Oct. 28, stores will be closed in observance of Independent Czechoslovak State Day, which marks the country's independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. 

The following month, on Nov. 17 stores will remain open for Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day. 

This holiday commemorates the student protests that sparked the Velvet Revolution and ultimately led to the downfall of the communist regime.

It is also worth keeping in mind that the closures do not apply to all stores. Pharmacies, gas stations, and shops at airports, railway stations (including Prague’s Hlavní nádraží), and hospitals are exempt. Small minimarkets and grocery stores can also remain open.

Delivery services are not covered by the law and should operate as normal. However, personal-shopper services that rely on sourcing items from supermarkets will be faced with limited suppliers.