From late November, the old squares fill with wooden stalls, a giant tree goes up by the Astronomical Clock, and hot punch steams in the cold. Czech Christmas starts early: on December 5, Mikuláš walks the streets with an angel and a devil, handing out sweets. Here's what we checked, from the Old Town market to the Three Kings procession with camels.
Prague's biggest Christmas markets fill Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square with wooden stalls of Czech crafts: wooden nativity scenes, glass and straw ornaments, gingerbread and Czech sausages.
Old Town Square's giant spruce is the centerpiece, and choirs from around the country sing on the stage. Kids who like lights and music do well here; on evenings the crowds get thick, so a stroller moves slowly.
One of Prague's bigger Christmas markets fills the square in front of St. Ludmila Church in Vinohrady, the square locals call Mírák. Wooden stalls sell glass ornaments, wooden toys, ceramic nativity scenes, sheep's wool goods and handmade jewelry, with mulled wine and hot holiday snacks on the side.
It suits a short wander with kids after dark, when the stalls are lit up.
Crystal Garden fills the winter garden in Troja with large glass sculptures of flowers, trees and animals made by the Czech glassmaker Jiří Pačinek and his studio. Kids wander the paths spotting glass birds and blooms among the real plants, and after dark the pieces are lit up.
It suits kids who like a walk with something to find. Toddlers in strollers can come along.
Garden of Lights turns Prague Zoo into an evening walking trail of giant lantern animals, light tunnels and glowing gardens, some with sound and interactive effects. The theme changes each winter: African wildlife in 2024, wild Asia in 2025.
Kids spot lit-up big cats, crocodiles and birds along the paths after dark. It suits families who want a zoo outing that still works once the sun sets early.
On the eve of St. Nicholas Day, Mikuláš, his devils and his angels gather on the Christmas market stage for an interactive show. The band Myš a Maš plays its own songs and carols, and kids sing, dance rock 'n' roll and samba steps, and win small prizes for joining in.
The devil is the playful kind, so it suits kids who are nervous about čerti. The show is in Czech.
Each winter, wooden market stalls fill St George's Square and the Stable Courtyard inside Prague Castle, right beside St Vitus Cathedral. Kids can wander between craft stands and food stalls, warm up with trdelník (the rolled sweet pastry) and look up at Gothic spires lit for Christmas.
It is smaller than the Old Town markets and easier to pair with a castle walk. Expect crowds on weekend afternoons.
Prague Zoo turns festive for the holiday season. Families can make an Advent wreath in the Education Center, join carols at the Christmas tree lighting in the Children's Zoo, and watch keepers hand unsold Christmas trees to the animals.
Winter suits the reindeer, camels and Amur tiger in their thick coats, and fourteen heated pavilions offer a warm break between the outdoor paths.
Prague dropped its New Year fireworks over the noise and the stress on animals. In their place, the city gives Praguers a New Year's gift: on the first day of the year, its own zoo, gardens, museums, observatories and lookout tower open free or for a token price.
It turns a slow holiday into a cheap outing for families who want fresh air after a late night.
Three kings on camels lead a noisy band of drummers and trumpeters through Prague's old center, retelling the Magi's journey to Bethlehem. At the end they hand their gifts to the baby Jesus in a nativity scene.
It marks Three Kings Day, the close of Christmas, and kicks off the Three Kings Collection, a charity drive by Prague's Catholic charity. Kids who like animals and marching bands get both.
The main square of the Old Town, edged by the Týn Church and the Old Town Hall. On the hall's Gothic tower, the medieval astronomical clock puts on its show every hour, when the twelve apostles file past above the dial.
Kids can ride a futuristic elevator or climb the tower for views over the square, and guided tours go down into the Romanesque-Gothic vaults under the hall.
The largest castle complex in the world spreads across 45 hectares of courtyards, palaces and gardens on the hill above the Vltava. Kids can walk the small, colorful houses of Golden Lane, climb the St Vitus Cathedral tower, and see the Old Royal Palace and St George's Basilica.
Uniformed guards stand at the gates, and the changing of the guard draws a crowd.
From late November, the old squares fill with wooden stalls, a giant tree goes up by the Astronomical Clock, and hot punch steams in the cold. Czech Christmas starts early: on December 5, Mikuláš walks the streets with an angel and a devil, handing out sweets. Here's what we checked, from the Old Town market to the Three Kings procession with camels.
Prague's biggest Christmas markets fill Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square with wooden stalls of Czech crafts: wooden nativity scenes, glass and straw ornaments, gingerbread and Czech sausages.
Old Town Square's giant spruce is the centerpiece, and choirs from around the country sing on the stage. Kids who like lights and music do well here; on evenings the crowds get thick, so a stroller moves slowly.
One of Prague's bigger Christmas markets fills the square in front of St. Ludmila Church in Vinohrady, the square locals call Mírák. Wooden stalls sell glass ornaments, wooden toys, ceramic nativity scenes, sheep's wool goods and handmade jewelry, with mulled wine and hot holiday snacks on the side.
It suits a short wander with kids after dark, when the stalls are lit up.
Crystal Garden fills the winter garden in Troja with large glass sculptures of flowers, trees and animals made by the Czech glassmaker Jiří Pačinek and his studio. Kids wander the paths spotting glass birds and blooms among the real plants, and after dark the pieces are lit up.
It suits kids who like a walk with something to find. Toddlers in strollers can come along.
Garden of Lights turns Prague Zoo into an evening walking trail of giant lantern animals, light tunnels and glowing gardens, some with sound and interactive effects. The theme changes each winter: African wildlife in 2024, wild Asia in 2025.
Kids spot lit-up big cats, crocodiles and birds along the paths after dark. It suits families who want a zoo outing that still works once the sun sets early.
On the eve of St. Nicholas Day, Mikuláš, his devils and his angels gather on the Christmas market stage for an interactive show. The band Myš a Maš plays its own songs and carols, and kids sing, dance rock 'n' roll and samba steps, and win small prizes for joining in.
The devil is the playful kind, so it suits kids who are nervous about čerti. The show is in Czech.
Each winter, wooden market stalls fill St George's Square and the Stable Courtyard inside Prague Castle, right beside St Vitus Cathedral. Kids can wander between craft stands and food stalls, warm up with trdelník (the rolled sweet pastry) and look up at Gothic spires lit for Christmas.
It is smaller than the Old Town markets and easier to pair with a castle walk. Expect crowds on weekend afternoons.
Prague Zoo turns festive for the holiday season. Families can make an Advent wreath in the Education Center, join carols at the Christmas tree lighting in the Children's Zoo, and watch keepers hand unsold Christmas trees to the animals.
Winter suits the reindeer, camels and Amur tiger in their thick coats, and fourteen heated pavilions offer a warm break between the outdoor paths.
Prague dropped its New Year fireworks over the noise and the stress on animals. In their place, the city gives Praguers a New Year's gift: on the first day of the year, its own zoo, gardens, museums, observatories and lookout tower open free or for a token price.
It turns a slow holiday into a cheap outing for families who want fresh air after a late night.
Three kings on camels lead a noisy band of drummers and trumpeters through Prague's old center, retelling the Magi's journey to Bethlehem. At the end they hand their gifts to the baby Jesus in a nativity scene.
It marks Three Kings Day, the close of Christmas, and kicks off the Three Kings Collection, a charity drive by Prague's Catholic charity. Kids who like animals and marching bands get both.
The main square of the Old Town, edged by the Týn Church and the Old Town Hall. On the hall's Gothic tower, the medieval astronomical clock puts on its show every hour, when the twelve apostles file past above the dial.
Kids can ride a futuristic elevator or climb the tower for views over the square, and guided tours go down into the Romanesque-Gothic vaults under the hall.
The largest castle complex in the world spreads across 45 hectares of courtyards, palaces and gardens on the hill above the Vltava. Kids can walk the small, colorful houses of Golden Lane, climb the St Vitus Cathedral tower, and see the Old Royal Palace and St George's Basilica.
Uniformed guards stand at the gates, and the changing of the guard draws a crowd.
