The Christmas markets (vánoční trhy in Czech) consist of pretty wooden stalls where you can buy Christmas ornaments, trinkets, wooden toys, candles, sheep wool products, handmade goods, crafts, yummy food, and drinks to keep yourself warm. Sometimes, you can also see and hear children sing Christmas carols. The markets are normally open for a full month, meaning that you will have plenty of time to get into the winter wonderland vibe! This year, most Prague Christmas markets are usually open every single day from November 30, 2024 until January 6, 2025 (including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
Below is a list of the biggest and most popular markets in the city but also some that are more local and less busy. I hope this list, curated by yours truly will help you!
How to Best Experience the Christmas Markets?
If you want to make the best out of your Christmas markets’ experience, you can check out my Ultimate Guide to the Christmas Markets in Prague.
Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)
The biggest and most well-known Christmas market is also the oldest one. Located in Old Town Square, it is dominated by the gigantic official Christmas tree that is switched on every night. During the first evening when the market opens, the lighting of the Christmas tree is a big ceremonial event, so if you can make it, definitely go! You also can find a stage where carolers and musicians perform every day. It’s very festive!
This market is nice for families because it has a stable where children can see farm animals such as goats and donkeys and feed them. What is also lovely and probably my favorite part about this market is the viewing deck located in the middle of the square. You can go up there and take photos from above. Gifts and other trinkets are available to buy from 10 AM to 10 PM and food and drinks from 10 AM until midnight.
Opening days and hours
November 30, 2024 – January 6, 2025
10 AM – 12 AM
Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí)
Usually held in the lower part of the square, this market is also really popular because of its location right in the center of the city on a busy shopping street. This market is not as big as the one in Old Town Square but it really cute so you should check it out!
Opening days and hours
November 30, 2024 – January 6, 2025
10 AM – 12 AM
Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky)
The Christmas market located at Náměstí Republiky consists of two parts. One part is located in front of the shopping center Palladium and the other near the Old Customs House (Stará Celnice).
Old Town Square is really close to both Wenceslas and Republic Squares so you can basically do the three markets the same afternoon/evening. I advise you to start with Náměstí Republiky then head to Old Town Square and lastly go to Wenceslas Square.
Opening days and hours
November 30, 2024 – December 30, 2024
10 AM – 8 PM
Prague Castle (Pražský hrad)
This market is also super touristy because it is located right at the Prague Castle behind the St. Vitus Cathedral, in the picturesque St. George’s Square. There is a handmade Christmas ornament boutique humbly named “Christmas Shop Prague” located in the castle complex that is also definitely worth checking out.
Opening days and hours
November 30, 2024 – January 6, 2025
9 AM – 8 PM
Kampa Island
Located just across the Charles Bridge, Kampa Island is home to a cute and picturesque Christmas market. What I like the most about this area is the lovely winter view over the Vltava River. Do not forget to buy typical gingerbread with Prague written on it, it is the cutest Christmassy thing ever!
Opening days and hours
November 30, 2024 – January 1, 2025
10 AM – 7 PM
Keep in mind that the markets mentioned above are the busiest as most tourists tend to go there. They are also more expensive in general. If you want to check out more local and authentic markets, you can go to the ones below.
Peace Square (Náměstí Míru)
Located in the fancy residential area of Vinohrady, Náměstí Míru’s market is usually the first Christmas market to open and is mostly visited by locals. Its location makes this market even more special because it is right in front of the gigantic and impressive neo-Gothic church of St. Ludmila (Kostel svaté Ludmily). At Náměstí Míru, you will find mostly handicrafts and local products while the more famous markets will have a mix of handcrafted goods on one hand and touristy, poor quality products on the other.
Opening days and hours
November 23, 2024 – December 24, 2025
10AM – 7PM
Tyl’s Square (Tylovo Náměstí)
Another small but charming Christmas market is located in Tyl’s square. It features several sweet food stalls (trdelník, gingerbread, Christmas cookies, Moravian cakes, etc.) and decorations and gifts. It is also located in Vinohrady like the market mentioned above.
Opening days and hours
November 25, 2024 – December 24, 2024
10 AM – 8 PM
Jiřího z Poděbrad Square (Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad)
Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, most commonly known as Jiřák for Czechs and JZP for expats, is usually home to one of the most popular farmers’ markets in Prague. For Christmas, the square hosts the classic wooden huts with yummy food and local trinkets, just like the other markets, but also a live nativity scene, concerts, dance performances and creative workshops for kids. The square is dominated by the exceptional(ly weird) Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our Lord (Kostel Nejsvětějšího Srdce Páně) which is worth checking out even if you are not going for the Christmas market!
Opening days and hours
November 30, 2024 – December 24, 2024
10 AM – 9 PM
Manifesto Winter Market
This former cashless popup that was open all summer long transforms into an alternative Christmas market in the wintertime. At Manifesto, you can eat fancy street food and seasonal treats and buy local designer articles (it is pretty pricey so keep that in mind). Manifesto Market is open at two locations in Prague; Smichov and Florenc. They have many restaurants as well as local designers. You can even book a transparent igloo-like in London and NYC! Another thing that is different about this market is that you can roast sausages and marshmallows over an open fire while a DJ mixes in the background. Not your typical Christmas market for sure, but pretty cool if you ask me!
Opening days and hours
All year round
11 AM – 10 PM
Anděl
This small Christmas market is located in the pedestrian zone near the Anděl metro station and the Nový Smíchov mall. It is a lowkey market with regular gifts and food stalls. What is interesting here is that you can also buy your own carp – which is a Czech Christmas delicacy – from the local vendors. Families usually will get it alive and keep it in their bathtub until Christmas Eve (then they will either kill it and cook it or feel bad for the poor animal and release it in the river).
Opening days and hours
November 24, 2024 – December 24, 2024
10 AM – 7 PM
I hope that this list of all the Christmas markets in Prague is helpful to you! You can bring back so many cute and unique Christmas gifts from this charming city. I’m pretty sure that you will consider visiting during this time of year after reading this article! Just so you know, I will also update this list every single year so don’t worry if you aren’t visiting now, you will be able to refer to this article later on too!
Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. Every neighborhood usually has its own Christmas market. The ones I mentioned above are the best ones in my opinion where I have been going to for the past few years. If you have any market that you want me to add to the list, please feel free to let me know in the comments below :).
Want to keep reading? You might like those articles as well:
– Guide to the Christmas Markets in Prague
– Top Instagrammable Christmas Spots in London
– Top Instagrammable Places in Prague
– The Best Hot Air Balloon Ride Next to Prague
– Best Photo Spots in Prague during Fall
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Little note: this post was originally published in December 2018 and has been completely revamped and updated in November 2019.
