Sweet charity! Prague trick-or-treat event scares up community spirit

In past years, Czech attitudes toward Halloween have been mixed at best, often criticized for being an unwanted American import. Last year, an incident in which a priest publicly smashed jack-o’-lanterns outside his church underscored the tension surrounding this holiday.

However, a spirited initiative in Prague, now in its eighth year, has begun to change that narrative by transforming Halloween into an opportunity not only to receive a bucket of candy but also to give back to Czech society, build community, and integrate culturally.

The Prague Halloween Trick or Treat for Charity event, spearheaded by long-time Vinohrady resident Dinah Spritzer and a dedicated team of volunteers, is set for Thursday, Oct. 24, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“We wanted to make the event more Czech-friendly this year,” Spritzer said. “All communications, including our Facebook page, are in English and Czech. We’re also promoting the event in Czech Facebook groups to engage more local families.”

This year’s event is poised to raise even more funds for needy children through SOS Children’s Villages, an organization providing essential services for vulnerable youth in the Czech Republic.

"These children need homes, food, therapy, summer camp, visits to museums, and fun parks, participation in this event makes that all possible," Spritzer said. Last year, over 500 trick-or-treaters raised over CZK 150,000. The goal for this year is to double that amount.

Organizers are still seeking volunteers to give out candy from their homes and businesses in Prague 2, 3, and 10.

"We want people to understand that they do not have to be from these areas to sign up as volunteers to give out candy. It's so much fun to do this with a friend, get in a costume, and just have a blast!" said Spritzer.

Though Vinohrady's central square Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad is closed, organizers will bolster the festive atmosphere around Riegerovy Sady and Sady Svatopluka Čecha instead where volunteers who don't live in the area are stationed handing out candy.

Another notable aspect of this year’s event is the opportunity for local businesses to participate as sponsors. This mutually beneficial approach raises funds for charity while promoting local enterprises within the community.

“Businesses can donate through our SOS Halloween page, and in return, we guarantee shout-outs on our social media and in emails to participants,” Spritzer said.

“Trick-or-treating is not a tradition in our culture, yet in recent years, more and more children have been dressing up and celebrating Halloween,” Radana Koštialiková, donor care specialist for SOS Children’s Villages told Expats.cz last year.

“The Halloween collection is a wonderful opportunity for Czech children and children of foreign expats to get involved in an activity close to them and at the same time help less fortunate children.”