Christmas in Prague 2026: 9 Magical Things to Do
Prague · 9 things to do
9 things to do in Prague at Christmas: the Old Town tree and light show, two ice rinks, Christmas concerts in Smetana Hall and the Rudolfinum, and gifts at Havelská Market.
By Amit KerenWhat to do in Prague at Christmas 2026? This map shows 9 festive things to do, from the Christmas tree and light show on the Old Town Square to ice skating behind the Estates Theatre and a Christmas concert in the Rudolfinum.
Some of it is free: the tree and the light show on the Old Town Square, the hot food stalls on Wenceslas Square, and the small rink on Ovocný trh, which is usually free to skate. Concerts, the Old Town Hall Tower and the Letná rink are paid.
Prague's main markets run from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, and the Letná rink from 14 November 2026 to 7 March 2027. The Ovocný trh rink follows the weather, so check its dates before you go.
Event · Christmas market and light show
28 Nov 2026 to 6 Jan 2027 · Daily 10:00-22:00
The big Christmas tree and the market stalls on the Old Town Square, with a light show on the surrounding facades every afternoon and evening. This is the Prague Christmas postcard.
Nearby: Christmas Markets in Prague 2026
Tip: The light show runs every afternoon and evening; watch it from the middle of the square, not from the edge.
Landmark & square · Viewpoint (ticketed)
Climb the Gothic Old Town Hall Tower for the view over the Old Town Square tree, the rooftops and the castle, then see the astronomical clock below.
Tip: Buy the ticket online for a time slot; the lift and the stair queue are long at midday.
Event · Christmas market · hot food
28 Nov 2026 to 6 Jan 2027 · Daily 10:00-22:00
The market on Wenceslas Square is the one for hot food: roasted sausages and ham off the spit, pancakes and gingerbread, with the stalls spread the length of the avenue.
Nearby: Christmas Markets in Prague 2026
Tip: It is the easiest market to reach on metro line A or C, and it is quieter at the top end near the museum.
Attraction · Ice rink
Usually early December to late January, weather depending
Skate on the small rink flooded onto Ovocný trh, the old fruit market right behind the Estates Theatre, with the Old Town facades around you and usually no entry fee.
Tip: It is the most central rink in Prague, so go early in the morning or late evening to have the ice to yourself.
Attraction · Ice rink
14 Nov 2026 to 7 Mar 2027, daily 09:00 to 21:00
The biggest outdoor rink in Prague, laid on the Letná plain opposite Sparta Stadium, with skate hire and no booking needed.
Tip: Adults pay 150 CZK and children 100 CZK, skates from 100 CZK. Take tram 1, 8, 12, 25, 26 or 51 to the Sparta stop.
Landmark & square · Concert hall · Christmas concert
Hear a Christmas concert in Smetana Hall inside the Art Nouveau Municipal House, the most beautiful concert hall in the city, next to the Powder Tower.
Tip: Programmes for December are posted in autumn; book before the Christmas weeks.
Attraction · Concert hall · Christmas concert
25 Dec 2026, 20:00
A Christmas gala concert in Dvořák Hall at the Rudolfinum, with the Prague Symphony Orchestra and a programme of Smetana, Mozart, Bizet and Dvořák's New World Symphony.
Tip: Tickets are sold through Colosseum Ticket and other Czech ticket networks.
Black Friday: 25% off
From $2.99 a year · 14-day refund
Black Friday: 25% off
From $2.99 a year · 14-day refund
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Open routeRecommended hotels
Old Town riverside
Best for: Castle views
A five-star hotel on the Vltava next to Charles Bridge, with views of Prague Castle, a spa and an indoor pool.
New Town
Best for: Luxury
A five-star hotel in a 17th-century palace on Hybernská, with a private garden, spa and large rooms, steps from the Powder Tower.
Old Town
Best for: Pool and spa
A five-star hotel at the river end of Pařížská, with an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa and a rooftop bar.
Malá Strana
Best for: Charles Bridge
A small four-star hotel in two historic houses at the Malá Strana end of Charles Bridge, with an easy walk up to Prague Castle.
New Town
Best for: Spacious suites
Five-star rooms, studios and suites on Senovážné Square, a 5-minute walk to the Municipal House and about 9 minutes to Old Town Square.
New Town
Best for: Couples
A modern boutique hotel on Senovážná with a spa, gym and library, about 600 m from Old Town Square and 500 m from Wenceslas Square.
Old Town
Best for: Boutique stay
A small boutique hotel with 21 rooms on Haštalská, about 8 minutes on foot from Old Town Square. Breakfast is included.
Old Town
Best for: Quiet and central
A quiet hotel in a former convent on Bartolomějská, about 250 m from Charles Bridge and a short walk from Národní třída metro.
Jewish Quarter
Best for: Families
A boutique hotel on quiet Bílkova Street, a few minutes from Old Town Square, the Jewish Quarter and the river.
Old Town
Best for: Value
A four-star design hotel with a garden on Haštalská, a few minutes' walk from Old Town Square and the Jewish Quarter.
Recommended activities
2 hours
Evening walk past the Old Town Square tree, the light show and the market stalls.
Book1 hour
Seats at a Christmas concert in one of the city's halls or churches.
Book1 hour
Sail past the lit-up castle and bridges with a drink on board.
BookBefore you go
Questions & answers
See the Christmas tree and light show on the Old Town Square, skate on Ovocný trh behind the Estates Theatre or on the big Letná rink, hear a Christmas concert in the Rudolfinum or in St. Nicholas Church, and buy gifts at Havelská Market.
The Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square markets run from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027. The Letná ice rink is open from 14 November 2026 to 7 March 2027.
On Ovocný trh behind the Estates Theatre, usually free and open early December to late January, and on the big Letná rink opposite Sparta Stadium, open daily from 09:00 to 21:00.
Jakub Jan Ryba's Hej, mistře! is the Czech Christmas mass, sung by choir, orchestra, soloists and organ. It is performed in December in the Baroque St. Nicholas Church on the Old Town Square.
spotz.guide is a collection of travel maps and step-by-step routes, made to be opened on your phone and followed on the ground. Every guide is put together and checked by founder and editor Amit Keren.
Spots come from time on the ground and strong recommendations, and each one is checked before it goes on the map.
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