December 2024: Everything you need to know this month in Czechia

Sunday, Dec. 1, sees the start of Advent in Czechia. The country's most famous Christmas markets, featuring live music, performances, and traditional Czech food on Old Town and Wenceslas Square in Prague open on Nov. 30, the same day that the country’s largest Christmas tree lights up in the capital.

On the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving (Dec. 3 this year), Czechia celebrates Giving Tuesday to give back to those who need it most. In the Czech Republic, you can get involved in many ways, such as by helping the homeless, volunteering at hospices, or donating gifts that go directly to the needy. A full list of registered help and donation information is available on the official website.

St. Mikuláš (St. Nicholas) will visit children throughout Czechia as part of St. Nicholas Day celebrations on Thursday, Dec. 5. Prague will see several public events where children get a sweet treat or a lump of coal, depending on whether they have been naughty or nice this year. The upper part of Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square will have festive events, as will Malostranské náměstí.

Dec. 18 sees the 13th anniversary of former Czech President and famous dissident Václav Havel’s death. An evening march through the capital, the annual "Heart to the Castle" parade, pays tribute to the figure. The National Technical Museum also offers discounted entry as part of the commemoration.

School’s out this Christmas. The Christmas holidays begin Monday, Dec. 23, and end on Friday, Jan. 4. The last day pupils will come into school will therefore be Friday, Dec. 20. Students will return to class on Jan. 6, getting 14 days off in total.

Christmas Eve on Dec. 24 is a big day, with most shops closing early (before midday). Public transport will run on a Saturday timetable until 6 p.m. The metro will run until midnight, but services will be less frequent after 6 p.m.

Public holidays on Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 mean most shops larger than 200 square meters will be closed, though smaller shops, pharmacies, and those in train stations and airports (including Prague’s Hlavní nádraží) remain open. Expect Sunday timetables for public transport.

The last day of 2024 is not a public holiday, but most grocery stores offer shortened opening hours on Dec. 31—last year, for example, Albert, Billa, and Kaufland closed at 5 p.m. or 6 p.m.  A decree also bans the use of pyrotechnics and fireworks in most areas of central Prague; be sure you don't break the law on New Year's Eve.

For the whole month, 30,000 lights will decorate various trams and buses on Prague's public transport network. Fleets that will feature the lights include modern 14T and 15T trams and historic two-axle trams. Lines will vary, so keep an eye out for the lights!

December brings several ice rinks across Prague. Skate with a beautiful city backdrop, and warm up afterward with a hot drink. Check out our full guide to rinks in Prague.

More snowfall in Czechia’s mountainous regions next month will see more ski resorts open nationwide. Check out snowsports website On The Snow, which presents a handy pricelist of Czechia’s major skiing resorts, detailing all prices.

From Dec. 1, kratom, low-THC cannabis, and similar substances will only be available in specialized stores. Online sales and vending machine purchases are banned, and packaging must include risk warnings. Sellers need permits, and substances must be approved by the Czech Health Ministry before being sold.

Starting Dec. 28, all mobile phones and tablets sold in the EU must feature a USB Type-C charging port, standardizing charging for all portable devices.

If you have unused revenue stamps, exchange them at designated Czech Post branches by Dec. 31. Be aware of the 5-percent fee for undamaged stamps and a 10-percent fee for damaged ones.

Energy prices are dropping, with many providers (such as E.ON and Innogy) offering deals in a bid to attract customers for the new year. Energy provider ČEZ, for example, is offering savings of over CZK 440 per megawatt-hour compared to January 2024 prices. Compare different packages and deals at kalkulator.tzb-info.cz, which is Czechia’s only independent energy price-comparison tool.

December marks the last month before the new reporting system for part-time contracts (DPP/DPČ) takes effect universally in January. Employers should prepare for the change, which requires reporting employees’ earnings to the Czech Social Security Administration by the 20th of each month.

Employers have until Dec. 31 to fire employees under the current dismissal system, which allows a two-month notice period to start on the first day of the following month. From 2025, the notice period will start on the day that the dismissal is issued. Be mindful of the timing to avoid any confusion.

If you signed up for VZP’s "summer of grace" program to clear unpaid interest on health insurance contributions, you have until Dec. 31 to pay off any remaining debt. For more information, visit exekuceinfo.cz.

Using the Moje VZP web or mobile application, you have until Dec. 31 to draw grants, deductions, and other benefits from the country’s health-oriented Prevention Fund, which sets out to encourage healthier behavior by offering discounted or free programs such as getting vaccinations or receiving psychotherapy.