Store openings, free museums, and festivities mark Nov. 17 public holiday in Czechia

The Czech Republic will observe the Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy on Monday, Nov. 17, with a mixture of free cultural events and near-normal retail operations.

The public holiday, which commemorates both the 1989 Velvet Revolution and the 1939 student resistance against Nazism, will see several of Prague's most significant institutions offer free admission, while the nation's retail sector will largely remain open to the public.

In a gesture of public access, numerous institutions will waive admission fees, offering a full day of cultural enrichment.

The National Gallery Prague will offer free tours of all permanent exhibitions at its five locations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Participating locations include the Veletržní Palace, Šternberk Palace, Schwarzenberg Palace, Salmovský Palace, and the Monastery of St. Agnes of Bohemia.

The Salmovský Palace will host a special, free art studio for children and parents, "Across Asia," starting at 3 p.m. Due to limited capacity, prior reservation via GoOut is mandatory for this event.

Free admission will also be granted to the National Museum’s main building on Wenceslas Square and all other open branches, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Exceptions: Entrance to the Children’s Museum will be available at a 50 percent discount (CZK 70 for a 1.5-hour slot).

Furthermore, while most branches are open until 6 p.m., the Dvořák and Smetana Museums will close earlier at 5 p.m. Notably, the Ethnographic Museum and the Jaroslav Ježek Memorial, which are typically closed on Mondays, will be exceptionally open for the holiday.

A rare open house will take place at the historic Liechtenstein Palace in Kampa. The public will be welcomed free of charge from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Nov. 17 opening marks the final public viewing opportunity for the building this year.

Visitors can tour the palace's interiors, which are normally reserved for state delegations and protocol events, having hosted figures like Queen Elizabeth II and Emperor Akihito.

Kunsthalle Praha will also join the Nov. 17 celebrations by opening its doors under a voluntary admission system, allowing visitors to pay any amount they wish for entry.

The gallery will present exhibitions by Alice Bucknell and Roman Ondak, offer new items at the Kunsthalle Praha Design Shop and café, and unveil a fresh installation in its Kidshalle space. Opening hours run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tram lines 2, 9, 18, 22, 23, 42 will all be diverted to new temporary routes throughout the day on Nov. 17 in connection with celebrations in Prague's city center.

Additionally, a partial closure on the metro C line runs through Tuesday. More information and updates can be found at the website of Prague Integrated Transport.

Despite being a public holiday, Nov. 17 is not included among the seven mandated days requiring statutory closure for large retail establishments (over 200 square meters) in the Czech Republic.

Most Stores Open: Consequently, most major shops and retail chains will remain open for business.

Adjusted Hours: Shoppers are advised that many retailers may implement shortened opening hours to accommodate the holiday schedule.

Exemptions: Smaller stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and shops located in areas of high passenger concentration (such as airports and train stations) are legally exempt and will operate as usual.

The Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy commemorates two pivotal moments in Czech history.

The Velvet Revolution (1989): The day marks the 36th anniversary of the student demonstrations that triggered the peaceful end of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia.

International Students' Day (1939): It also honors the anniversary of the violent suppression of student protests by Nazi forces in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, leading to the closure of universities, the execution of student leaders, and deportations to concentration camps.

Interactive History: Experience the Velvet Revolution first-hand in Velvet 89, a video game that lets players follow the 1989 protests across Czechoslovakia, from Prague to regional cities. Combining historical research with interactive gameplay, the title is available on Steam, Android, iOS, and an online browser version.