Czech news in brief for December 24: Wednesday's top morning headlines

As Czechia begins the Christmas holiday today, Dec. 24, large shops over 200 square meters in Czechia may remain open until noon on Christmas Eve, but must close on Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day under retail law. Many chains plan to shut earlier. Exemptions include pharmacies, gas stations, and stores at airports and train stations. Online grocery deliveries will operate on Dec. 24 but pause on Dec. 25 before resuming Dec. 26.

The modern form of Czech Christmas is relatively recent, with decorated trees becoming widespread only in the 20th century, while gift-giving grew alongside older traditions of charity. Christmas Eve is followed by Christmas Day, marking the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Today is traditionally the most important day of Christmas for Czech families, when the main festive meal is eaten, and gifts are opened in the evening.

A traditional Czech Christmas Eve dinner for a family of four will cost about CZK 824 this year, five percent less than in 2024, thanks to lower vegetable prices after a strong domestic harvest, eToro data shows. This contrasts with much of the EU, where prices are rising sharply: Germany saw a 28 percent increase and France 26 percent. Czechia is one of the few countries with year-on-year declines, alongside Poland and Romania, while Spain remains the most expensive.

Scouts will continue delivering the Bethlehem Light across Czechia today, spreading a symbol of peace, hope, and friendship. The flame, flown from Bethlehem to Linz, Austria, reaches Brno before being distributed nationwide in churches, squares, and homes. Many cities host events around the light, including concerts, live nativity scenes, and children’s masses. People are encouraged to take the flame home in a lantern; find out where to find the flame here.

For the 25th year, Prague’s main train station hosted Jakub Jan Ryba’s Christmas Mass, “Hej, mistře!”, known affectionately as “Rybovka.” What began as an unconventional performance now draws musicians and spectators from across the country. This year, the event’s scale led organizer Lukáš Prchal to conduct from the stage rather than the usual steps, highlighting the growing tradition and popularity of the annual holiday performance.

Up to 20 centimeters (8 inches) of snow is expected to fall in parts of Šumava and Pošumaví on Christmas Eve, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute said Tuesday, warning of snowdrifts and traffic disruptions. A snowfall alert applies to areas including Sušice, Prachatice and Vimperk. Strong winds with gusts up to 70 kph are forecast in parts of Moravia, easing by evening.