Easter week 2026 in Czechia: Store closures, security measures, and culture tips

Easter began this weekend with Palm Sunday (Květná neděle), signaling the start of Holy Week and the final days of Lent for residents across the Czech Republic.

The upcoming holiday period, running through April 6, sees store closures, children off school, and, new this year, a tightening of security measures across the country.

Under the Act on Sales Hours in Retail and Wholesale Outlets, stores with a floor space exceeding 200 square meters face different rules for the two upcoming public holidays.

On Good Friday (April 3), most supermarkets and large retailers will remain open according to their standard operating hours.

However, on Easter Monday (April 6), all large stores are legally required to close. Smaller shops, pharmacies, and outlets at travel hubs like Prague’s Main Railway Station or Václav Havel Airport typically remain operational.

Schools across the country will also begin their break shortly. The official one-day Easter holiday for students falls on Maundy Thursday, April 2. Most children will finish classes on Wednesday, April 1, and are not scheduled to return to the classroom until Tuesday, April 7.

Czech police will implement heightened security measures across the country during the upcoming Easter period and May public holidays, Interior Minister Lubomír Metnar announced last week.

The decision follows a recent arson attack at an arms factory in Pardubice and ongoing concerns regarding the international security situation in the Middle East.

The increased presence will focus on locations where large crowds are expected, including cultural and sporting events, major transportation areas, and international airports. Residents and travelers should expect to see police patrols equipped with ballistic protection and submachine guns in high-traffic areas.

The security measures will remain in effect through the Easter weekend, with Good Friday falling on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6, as well as the upcoming May holidays on Friday, May 1, and Friday, May 8.

While smaller Easter markets end on April 6, the large markets at Old Town and Wenceslas Square remain operational through April 12. Across Prague, a range of Easter-themed events and exhibitions will take place throughout the week and beyond.

At Prague Zoo, a special program is planned for Good Friday and Easter Monday, featuring Easter-themed feedings and workshops.

In Prague and the surrounding regions, a number of festive events, concerts, and cultural experiences are planned.

An exhibit devoted to Easter in the Šumava region runs from March 29 through May 24 at the Charles Bridget Museum. Easter performances of Antonín Dvořák’s Stabat Mater tak place on March 30 and 31, as well as Easter concerts at the Liechtenstein Palace on April 2, the Mirror Chapel on April 3, and the Basilica of St. James on April 5.

Meanwhile, the Museum of Public Transport opens its doors for Easter festivities on April 3, providing a perfect outing for families.

Many castles will open their doors for the first time following the winter break; you can find a list of events in and around Prague here.