Halloween in Prague 2008

Prague is spooky enough without the added fanfare of Halloween. Consider its Gothic spires, alien babies, and that oddball, head-studded doorway at Ovocný Trh. But if you think you can escape the ubiquitous orange-and-black commercialism of the holiday, think again. The Halloween spirit has arrived in Prague and it’s sticking like caramel to an apple.

It’s worth noting that the Czech Republic observes All Soul’s Day, or Dušičky, on the second day of November (often mistakenly referred to as Czech Halloween). On this day, Czech families decorate tombstones as a tribute to the deceased. But a few days prior you’ll find that many of the city’s denizens – Czechs and foreigners alike – engage in the less-than-civilized acts of soaking themselves in witch’s brew and doing the “Thriller” dance.

Costumes
Thanks to Prague’s film industry and the Czech culture’s affinity for dressing up, you can easily find Halloween costumes around town:

Agentura Karneval (Pluku 7) rentals range from 380 CZK-1,000 CZK for three days. For more elaborate costumes you´ll have to pay a deposit of up to 3,000 CZK. Karneval also carries fright wigs and ghoulish makeup and costumes for kids.

Ateliery Famood (Spálena 7) does a brisk trade in flapper, pirate, and pimp get-ups. They also specialize in custom-made costumes. Expect to pay 500 CZK-1,500 CZK per five-day rental. Children’s costumes are all 350 CZK and accessories (jewelry, hats, coats, headdresses) can be borrowed for 100 CZK-500 CZK. Their new website has been updated for the English speaking audience.

Barrandov Studios´ (Kříženeckého nám. 322) costume collection will impress hardcore Halloweenies. Chose from an assortment of more than 260,000 costumes, wigs, and accessories. Be prepared, however, to pay a rather lofty deposit.

Bohemian Retro (Čajkovského 22) and Laly Vintage (Štupartská 3) are a couple of just-opened secondhand stores that offer a wide selection of hats, dresses, jewelry, and shades –  things that make for cute costumes and can actually be worn again.

Ladana (Opatovická 20) specializes in period costumes (princes and princesses, wizards, Egyptan pharaohs, pirates, and more). Their rentals peak at 500 CZK for three days. Kids costumes and wigs are currently on sale.

Megasekác (multiple locations) chain of thrift stores come in handy for those taking a more DIY approach. Oddities like cowboy costumes and clown pants can be found at the Hlavní Nádraži store, Prague’s answer to Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Nosferatu Underground and Gothic Shop (Drahobejlova 36) is where the dark ones go to gear up for their big holiday.

TIP: For additional kids’ costumes, try toy-store chains like Sparky’s.

Decorations
These shops carry novelties and decorative items for giving your home freakish flare:

Pro Party at Galerie Butovice (Radlická 117) is devoted entirely to all things creepy and crawly as well as party favors like balloons and gift bags. They also hire out face painters and helium tanks for balloons.

This-n-That (Vodičkova 19), a novelty shop that stocks everything from candles to oddball ashtrays, has a nice selection of Halloween/harvest goodies and pumpkin paraphernalia galore.

TIP: Your local paperníctví, or stationery shop, is likely to carry a small selection of spooky stuff alongside a handful of wigs, novelty hats, fake noses, masks, and face paint at a nice price. The paperníctví is also the place to go for things like orange and black construction and crepe paper should you find yourself moved by seasonal craftiness.

Pumpkins
Pumpkins get easier to come by in Prague every year, though they´re still a little on the pricey side and often arrive in shops looking a bit worse for the wear. Carve up some fun at:

Moje Party is a website devoted to party supplies – plenty of Halloween goodies to be found here including wigs, masks, and decorations. But the big draw is their pumpkin delivery service: Call 602 304 240 and ask for Mr Brotánek (Czech only).

Prague Market Holešovice (Bubenské nábřezi) now goes by the name River Town and includes the city’s “largest fruit and vegetable market”. Pumpkins are ripe for the picking here; pay anywhere between 40-200 CZK depending on size.

Tesco, Hypernova, and most other supermarket chains, as well as smaller green grocers, sell pumpkins. The price will vary depending on weight. Expect to pay anywhere from 60 CZK-300 CZK; locations further out of the city center (such as Chodov, Černý Most, Zličín) often have a better selection.

TIP: Florists (květiny) sell smaller pumpkins, as do stands in and around Prague’s metro stations. Larger florists will also carry Halloween-themed odds-and-ends like decorative pumpkin candles and harvest scented potpourri. You can find free pumpkin carving stencils here.

Trick or Treating & Family Fun
Muddum Art Space (Kostelní 24) hosts its annual children’s mask-making workshop on October 30 from 16:00-17:300. Cost is 150 CZK per kid.

Bohemia Bagel (Masná 2) is offering two full days of hair-raising Halloween activities at their Old Town location. On Halloween they’ll open their doors to trick-or-treaters; the next day (November 1)starting at 16:00, they’ll screen the Halloween classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” followed by pumpkin carving. Pumpkins are available for purchase for 150 CZK. Activities planned until 20:00.

Botanical Gardens Prague (Nádvorní 134) has an evening of mask-making, pumpkin carving, and campfire songs planned for October 31 from 15:00-20:00 The event will take place outdoors. Children should come in costume. Pumpkins can be purchased on-sight.

TIP: Though it isn’t an officially recognized event, many families head out to Prague 6’s Nebusiče neighborhood around nightfall on Halloween. The enclave of American families in this neighborhood makes it a hot-bed of trick-or-treating activity. Start near the International School (Nebusicka 700).

Parties
Got the soul for getting down? Bump, grind, and monster mash the night away at one of the city´s nocturnal haunts: