Prague's Christmas markets 2024: Best locations, dates, and highlights for festive fun

Wednesday, Nov. 20, sees the opening of Prague’s first advent market of the season, at Náměstí Míru in Prague’s Vinohrady district. Soon, the season of chestnuts, mulled wine, and carillons will be in full swing throughout the Czech capital, with the largest market at Prague's Old Town Square opening on Nov. 30. Tree lighting takes place at 4 p.m.

In addition to essential information like market times, dates, and performance programs, we’ve also compiled some tips for choosing the market that best suits you, whether you’re looking for family-oriented festivities or fantastic food stalls.

Many of Prague’s Christmas markets feature stunning displays, including trees adorned with a hand-painted nativity scene at Náměstí Míru, glowing with hundreds of twinkling lights. Wenceslas Square offers a backdrop of the National Museum, while the Old Town Square tree, takes center stage with its dazzling decorations and 22-meter centerpiece tree. Both only Old Town and Wenceslas Square are regularly voted the world's most Instagrammable with close to 11,000 hashtags.

Wenceslas Square hosts live performances every Thursday to Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m., Old Town Square features multiple stages with performances (details to be announced), while Náměstí Míru offers theater shows and concerts throughout the season. Jiřák will feature a carillon performance on Dec. 1. Kampa will feature a carol sing under the Charles Bridge on Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.

For a local-first shopping experience, head to Jiřák (Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad) every Advent Sunday for the Show What You Can Do market, where local Czech creators and designers showcase their handmade products. The Kampa markets specialize in pottery, while the Mariánské Náměstí market features sales from non-profits and sheltered workshops, offering everything from ornaments and candles to jewelry and wooden puppets.

Families will find plenty to enjoy at Jiřák, where a straw play area, a wish-writing station at Ježíšek’s office, and festive performances by local schoolchildren await. The nearby Žižkov  nativity scene also sets the scene for holiday cheer. On the final Sunday of Advent, scouts will distribute the Bethlehem Light, a symbol of peace.

Wenceslas Square’s market features a blacksmith demonstrating traditional crafts, while Old Town Square brings a petting zoo with sheep, goats, and ponies. Mariánské Náměstí offers a small stage with performances by children’s music groups, and Náměstí Míru plans a series of Christmas workshops for kids. Theater performances and concerts round out the family-friendly offerings.

For food lovers, the Advent markets at Kulaťák (Nov. 30 to Dec. 21) are a must-visit every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering a variety of treats such as mulled wine, pastries, hot cider, roasted chestnuts, fresh fish, sausages, cheeses, and traditional Czech holiday foods like fried carp with potato salad. Náměstí Míru offers a more unconventional food selection, including crepes and French cheeses while the JZP market serves up everything from Christmas punch to farm-fresh fare.

For more details on performance options, tree-lighting schedule, and market opening and closing times, see our 2024 Christmas market guide.