Christmas markets in Prague and tree lighting on Old Town Square 2025

The Christmas atmosphere in Prague during Advent is magical and despite the crowds of tourists and locals, I’m drawn to the city centre every year, unless I’m travelling somewhere warm. Prague’s markets are a mix of centuries-old traditions, modern lighting, Christmas specialties and kitschy souvenirs. All set against the backdrop of the historic city centre. For me, a stroll through Christmas Prague is one of the best experiences you can have in Prague. Especially when it’s snowing, although that hasn’t happened that often in recent years.

Where to Stay in Prague for the Christmas Markets

The best locations are Old Town (Staré Město) for direct access to the main market on Old Town Square, Lesser Town for a more romantic atmosphere under Prague Castle, and Wenceslas Square if you want lively nightlife and shopping just steps away.

• Hotel U Prince – Iconic hotel right on Old Town Square, with a rooftop terrace offering unbeatable views of the main Christmas market.
• Grand Hotel Bohemia – Elegant hotel close to Powder Tower, quiet but only a few minutes’ walk from the festivities.
• Alchymist Prague Castle Suits – Boutique luxury just a few steps from Prague Castle.
• Hotel W Prague – modern design hotel at Wenceslas Square.

When are the Christmas markets in Prague

The main Christmas markets start on Saturday of the first weekend of Advent and end on Three Kings Day, January 6. Some start a few days earlier and others end on Christmas Eve (Republic Square, Angel Square, Tyl Square, Peace Square).

What to taste at Christmas markets

The food stalls offer roasted Prague ham, sausages, potato pancakes or roasted chestnuts. To drink, the most common drinks at the markets are red or white svodka, Christmas punch, hot mead, hot cider or hot chocolate.

In many places you can also buy Christmas candy, either in a larger package to take home or just a few pieces to sample.

Christmas Market on Old Town Square

The main and largest Christmas market in Prague is at the Old Town Square. The square is dominated by a large Christmas tree, which is carefully selected every year and is the largest in the whole of Prague. It is always in the same place between the Týn Cathedral and the Old Town Hall.

In front of the tree in the middle of the square, there is also always a viewing platform (just a few metres high) where you climb the stairs and have a nice view of the stalls and the tree from above. From a good height you can also watch the market from the tower of the Old Town Hall or from the rooftop terrace Terasa U Prince.

There is also a small animal enclosure near the tree. The market also includes a traditional nativity scene with carved figures, which recalls the Christian story of Christmas. On the stage next to the tree there is a cultural programme throughout the Advent season – carol singing, concerts and children’s performances.

Christmas tree lighting

The lighting of the Christmas tree on Old Town Square is the Christmas event of the year, essentially defining the opening of Prague’s Christmas. It’s a spectacle that many people head for every year, even though the first lighting is not fundamentally different from the way the Christmas tree is lit for the rest of Advent.

It will be lit for the first time on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 4pm. After that, the lighting animation repeats every hour (always at half past) until 9.30pm.

Christmas Market at Prague Castle

I love this market because you can’t avoid the beautiful view of Prague from the castle, if you are lucky enough to see its snowy rooftops. They have a unique location on St. George’s Square. The Powder Bridge, the castle courtyard and other adjacent places are also decorated with green trees, chains, wreaths and golden ornaments.

The market at Prague Castle is smaller, but all the more magical. The atmosphere is more intimate and authentic than at the Old Town Square, with handicrafts on display and mulled wine to drink like everywhere else.

Christmas Market on Wenceslas Square

Smaller market in the lower part of Wenceslas Square. The Christmas tree is lit here every day at 5 p.m. and is accompanied by a light show accompanied by Smetana Vltava. Long Square gets a nice new look at Advent, from the tree at the beginning to the National Museum at the end. Here, too, there is a small animal enclosure near the tree.

Christmas Market on Peace Square

The market, which is just outside the central area of Prague, is one of my favourites, but I come here for the Christmas cookies “in hand”. It’s typically one of the first open markets of the season. And a very nice one, right in front of the neo-Gothic St. Ludmilla Church.

The location outside of the main centre makes it perhaps a little quieter. But it’s easy to get to, there’s an A (Náměstí míru) metro station right next to the market, as well as a tram stop.

Christmas Market on the Square of the Republic

There are actually two markets on the Square of the Republic: one very small one with stalls mainly selling food, but also with its own tree is right in front of the Palladium department store. The other, larger part of the stalls, is across the street V Celnici. Between the stalls are high “standing” tables where everyone stops for a drink and a bite to eat in between looking for Christmas presents.

Christmas Market on Jiřího z Poděbrad Square

The popular winter-only farmers’ markets transition seamlessly into Christmas markets with hours of operation every day. In Prague’s Vinohrady, in front of the Sacred Heart Church, outside the centre, they are again a bit more local than the markets in the centre. In addition to the Christmas stuff, there are also food and delicatessen sales, especially on weekends.

Christmas Market on Tyl Square

On the small square on I.P. Pavlova there is also a small market with Christmas goodies, selling trees and things for decoration.

Christmas Market in Anděl

Directly in front of the Anděl B metro station is the market in Prague’s Smichov district, near the Nový Smichov shopping centre. It’s a pretty good place for Christmas presents and Christmas decorations, and because it’s also outside the centre there’s not the touristy nonsense, but often really nice, handmade products.

Advent Farmer’s Market at Kulat’ák

Saturday’s farmers’ market at Kulatek in Prague’s Dejvice will also be transformed into a Christmas market during the weekend, although it would probably be too much to describe it as a classic Christmas market. It’s a market where mostly locals come to shop and most of the stalls are the same as other Saturdays throughout the year. Some of the stalls are new – I always go here for the beeswax candles on the advent board, then of course there are trees and branches and mistletoe to decorate, the bakers stalls offer Christmas cakes and sweets and of course there is a stream of mulled wine, eggnog and punch flowing.