The main part of the New Year holidays in Europe takes place at the end of December - when Catholics celebrate Christmas. The Czech Republic is one of those countries where the religious holiday is traditionally celebrated brightly and on a grand scale, and New Year– with less enthusiasm.
When is the best time to go to the Czech Republic for Christmas and New Year
Christmas is celebrated on three days: December 23, 24 and 25. Just at this time, you can enjoy ... the silence and emptiness of the Czech streets, and miss all the fun. Those who want to get into the thick of the holiday should go to the Czech Republic the day before, maybe a few days in advance, or a couple of weeks in advance (cities begin to decorate for the holiday in the second half of November), so as not to get into the most crowded time, but to catch the fairs , concerts and other folk festivals. Because according to the old Czech tradition, respectable Catholics celebrate this most family holiday of the year at home. IN holidays On December 23-25, shops do not work, most of the establishments are closed, the fair is curtailed and almost does not go public transport, many students go home. Yes, snow, by the way, also happens far from always. But the tourists are just starting to gather.
The main square of Prague - the place with the largest fair
I quote local well-wishers: “The most exciting thing is to go to the Czech Republic for Christmas two or three days before the start of the holiday.”
After December 25, the country comes alive again. Crowds of European tourists begin to flood it. Noisy, drunk and young (although closer to the Austrian border there are more and more pensioners from this country). In the center of Prague and other popular Czech cities, partying and glass clinking do not stop - European youth loves to break bottles for good luck. In some places, the fair also comes to life, but not on the same scale as before Christmas. Officially, it lasts until January 6th.
New Year can be celebrated both in the city and in the institution. As you like.
Christmas traditions in the Czech Republic
In addition to the hearth, the Czechs have another strong Christmas tradition - to cook carp. Live fish are beginning to be sold in tubs on the street - fishermen consider the pre-Christmas time to be the fattest catch of the year.
If you are heading to the Czech Republic for the Christmas table, choose accommodation with a kitchen (if, of course, you know what to do on it) to try local traditions in full height. Buy carp, cook it, and distribute the scales to your companions. According to Czech belief, they should be put in a wallet, then the whole year there will be happiness and prosperity. Fish in a tent on the street can simply be killed, or they can even be butchered at the request of the buyer. But remember that on the last day before Christmas, all carps are already scattered. 
The Christmas market is an important attribute of the holiday. The tents sell everything your heart desires. Home decorations, wooden decorations for yourself, baked chestnuts, traditional (and not so) clothes, meat according to the old Bohemian recipe, sausages, traditional alcohol and sweets (for Easter, the assortment is about the same, only the decorations are different). But if locals advise you to taste meat dishes in Czech establishments (by the way, we have information on how to choose a restaurant “for your own”, and not for tourists in the Czech Republic), then mead, mulled wine and pastries are certainly at the fair.
The traditional pastry here is called trdelnik, cooked with sugar and cinnamon, and other additives at the discretion of the buyer. She is not to be confused with anything. 
Moreover, the Czechs consider trdelnik their national dish, the Hungarians claim that this is their dish. I won’t be surprised if I find out that the Poles also claim the authenticity of the product. But that's not the point. The main thing is that it is delicious. Mulled wine and many varieties of mead, by the way, too. Czechs call mulled wine svarzhak. Pairs well with trdelnik. The main thing is to calculate your strength so that the body's resources are enough for excellent Czech beer and the famous Czech absinthe.
At Christmas, a large real Christmas tree is set up in Prague. In the capital, the two largest fairs are held on the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares. But they are not the only ones, and the fairs are also located in such places: Havelska Square, Republic Square, Peace Square and the Holešovice Exhibition Complex. 
Another excellent European tradition, which should not be forgotten in Prague, is sales. They also last about a month and end around Christmas. There are interesting prices for clothes here, but electronics with a good discount slips much less often. Sales in stores before Christmas and immediately after the New Year, especially for clothes.
New Year in the Czech Republic
New Year is celebrated, but less than Christmas. This day is called Sylvester, also according to the Catholic tradition, because on December 31, 335, the saint died, in whose honor the day is named. In the same way, New Year's Eve is called in other Catholic countries. In fact, they celebrate a secular holiday. The main action takes place on the night from 31st to 1st, as usual. In the last couple of years, the traditional New Year's fireworks display in Prague has been moved to January 1st, 6pm. So that children can enjoy it, and not drunk French and Italians. Official sources advise: it is best to watch the fireworks from the Prague bridges (Legia, Chekhov, Manesov, Karlov) or embankments (Smetana, Dvorak), as well as from Petrin Hill and from Letna Park itself. Popular places outside the center are the slope in Riegrovy sady or Vitkov Hill. 
Housing for the New Year must be booked in advance, the price on the eve of the holidays rises significantly.
Surely many tourists in the Czech Republic are interested in the question: how do the Czechs celebrate Christmas? What traditions do they observe at Christmas? What do they eat? What Christmas signs do you believe in? If you are interested, feel free to follow the link.
To begin with, the main holiday for the Czechs, like almost all Europeans, is Christmas. New Year is also a holiday, but it is already in the background. The Christmas mood appears in Prague around the end of November - with the opening of Christmas markets on the Old Town and Wenceslas Squares and the ubiquitous decoration of shop windows.
When is Christmas and New Year celebrated in the Czech Republic?
As a rule, Czechs gather for a big family dinner on Christmas Eve - December 24, known as "Generous Day" (Štědrý den). Christmas holidays throughout the Czech Republic: 25 and 26 December. In honor of the New Year, the Czechs have a rest on January 1st.
Does Santa Claus come to the Czechs?
There is no such character as Santa Claus in the Czech Republic. But there are several similar characters. The first one is Saint Mikulas (Svatý Mikulas), which comes to local children on December 5, accompanied by a devil and an angel. Children tell Mikulash how they behaved during the year and recite rhymes. If the child behaved well, he receives a small gift from the angel. If this year he was naughty and often angry, then the devil is involved in the action, who can give the child a bag of coal and ashes.
According to legend, Saint Mikulas was a bishop in the city of Mira in Turkey. He is the patron of sailors and fishermen, the guardian of ferrymen, and the patron of children. He died on December 6, 350, which is why to this day Mikulas is celebrated on the evening of December 5 - on the eve of the date of his death.
Photo from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
In addition to Mikulash, the kids come baby Christ (Ježíšek)- none of the children saw him, but the children are told that he goes around all the houses on December 24 in the evening and puts gifts under the Christmas tree.
What do Czechs eat for Christmas?
The traditional dish is fried carp with potato salad And fish soup (rybí polévka). Many cook different pastries like butter cookies (vánoční cukroví). Also very popular braided roll with raisins - vánočka. Before Christmas, all these pastries can be easily found in stores.
This is what a delicious Christmas cake looks like.
What are the traditions?
- Purchase advent calendar for children. In the calendar every day, starting from December 1, one window opens, and the child receives a candy or cookie from this window. This is what a calendar looks like with an open window and sweetness inside.
- Purchase advent candlestick with 4 candles (Adventní věnec). 4 candles symbolize 4 weeks before Christmas. As a rule, a candlestick is placed on the window and one candle is lit in it every week until Christmas on Sundays. Thus, by Christmas all four candles are lit.
- Christmas tree decoration. On the central streets, Christmas trees appear already in early December, while in houses it is customary to decorate the Christmas tree on December 24th. Some put under the Christmas tree nativity scene (betlemek). The nativity scene depicts the birth of Christ. Most nativity scenes are made of wood, but paper nativity scenes and hand-painted nativity scenes are also found. The first nativity scene appeared in the Czech Republic in 1560 in the church of St. Clement in Prague.
This is how a straw nativity scene installed at the Prague Castle looks like.
And here a wooden nativity scene is already depicted.
- Sale of carps. Karpov in the Czech Republic are being sold everywhere (on the streets, in shops) a few days before the “generous day”. The Czechs have a tradition to buy carp on the 23rd, give it a night swim in the bathroom at home, and then cook it for the festive table on December 24th. True, now there is already a tendency to release carp back into the river, because. Czechs are afraid that they will minimize carp in the rivers :) Carp are sold in such large vats.
- Of course, don't forget about Christmas markets, which have been working in the Czech Republic with might and main since the end of November.
- Gift exchange takes place on December 24 after dinner. In the case of children, after dinner they are sent to bed, and in the meantime, gifts for them appear under the Christmas tree.
- It is not customary to sit down for a gala dinner on December 24 until the first star appears in the sky.
- There must be one extra plate with cutlery on the table - for unexpected guests.
- After dinner they often sing carols. In addition to Christmas, they are sung at Easter.
Bad omens for Christmas:
- Sewing and knitting before Christmas
- Wash before Christmas
- write love letters
- Leave the table during a festive dinner. According to legend, whoever leaves the table will die next year.
Good omens for Christmas:
- A kiss under the mistletoe - another symbol of Christmas on December 24 - will bring happiness next year.
- Some Czechs fast on December 24 in the morning in order to see the “golden pig” in the evening, which will bring wealth next year.
- If you put carp scales under the plate at the festive table, then next year happiness will await you.
- Bread baked on 25 December and eggs laid on 25 December.
- Before Christmas, it is necessary to take out of the house all borrowed and other people's things in the house of their owners.
Christmas divination
Like other Slavic peoples, the Czechs love to tell fortunes - and when to do this, if not at Christmas? Below I will talk about the most popular fortune-telling:
- Throwing shoes. On December 24, girls throw shoes over their heads. If the shoe falls toe to the door, then next year she will get married. If not, this year will remain at home.
- Fortune telling on an apple. After dinner, you need to cut the apple across into two parts. If, after cutting, there is an asterisk with five or more tips inside, then next year everyone present will be healthy. If the asterisk has 4 tips or less, then one of those present will get sick or die.
What gifts do Czechs give each other?
According to a survey, almost half of Czechs will give each other money or gift certificates this year. At the same time, ¾ of Czechs expect the gift to cost no more than 5,000 CZK. However, according to personal observations, I think that on average, locals expect a gift to cost about 1000 CZK.
I hope, thanks to this post, you have learned a lot about Christmas in the Czech Republic, its symbols and traditions.
On holidays, everyone tends to go to exotic countries in order to enjoy the outstanding free days to the fullest. Christmas in Prague can be unforgettable for many reasons: the bright decoration of the city, the abundance of shops offering good discounts, and the unusualness of traditional celebrations. In Czech, this holiday sounds like Vanoce, but its essence does not change from the name.
The locals know exactly how to fix everything that went wrong and achieve success in the coming year. You just need to celebrate Christmas in the right way in compliance with all the traditions, and they are very diverse. The beauty of this holiday can be surprised and admired at the same time. Christmas in Prague 2017 promises to be no less colorful and interesting.
Walking through the streets, you just want to get lost in the labyrinths of its cobbled streets, breathe in all the fuss of the upcoming holiday, buy souvenirs and taste local delicacies. To make the trip as comfortable as possible, you can go around the main sights of the capital for several days.
Prague on the eve of Christmas, or how to prepare for Christmas in Prague
Christmas excitement in the capital of the Czech Republic begins long before the start of the celebrations. From December 4, which is patronized by Saint Barbara, a cherry branch is placed in the house, and they are waiting for it to bloom for the holiday. If this happens, then all the most secret desires will surely come true. From December 6, mummers begin to walk the streets. They ask the children how they spent the year to find out if the kids are worthy of gifts.
Decorations
In just two weeks, Christmas in Prague begins to be felt in every house, street and square. Everyone strives to decorate their homes and the area around them. At this time, the Czech Republic does not skimp on buying garlands, spruce branches, wreaths and other traditional accessories of the celebration. When Prague is decorated for Christmas, it is transformed, but does not lose its mystery and inherent romance. The streets are quiet and glowing with pre-holiday decorations, cozy cafes offering special delicacies, and you can visit souvenir shops until late.
Walks in Prague
In order to fully see Christmas in Prague, you need to plunge into its rhythm and merge with the locals. This can be facilitated by renting a car, which can be obtained by any tourist with international class rights and over 21 years old.
By car, you can drive along the central streets of the Czech capital and even go beyond it. But just before the celebration, it is worth walking through the decorated squares, looking into the shops or listening to an impromptu concert, and also answering the main question, is it worth going to Prague for Christmas. Even the air of the city at this time is filled with completely different festive aromas of mandarin, carp and pastries.
Spirit of Christmas
During the days of the celebration, tourists can become eyewitnesses of impromptu concerts, dramatizations, processions and other equally bright and exciting celebrations. Christmas in Prague, in addition to discounts and illuminations, also has a deeper spiritual character. Local residents strongly believe that after the holiday you can start all over again, and luck will definitely turn around to face everyone. To go to Prague on New Year's Eve means to share with them this holy confidence in future well-being.
Weather
The weather in Prague at Christmas does not let tourists down either. The air temperature of days is kept at the level of +1 - +6. Even the fallen snow looks very organic. There are no severe frosts in the Czech Republic, so walks can be alternated with exciting excursions. During the magical Christmas season, ancient architectural structures and natural attractions look even more attractive.
Celebrating Christmas in Prague
Souvenirs and fairs
If the choice fell on the Czech Republic when choosing a tour for Christmas, then be sure to stay in Prague. Travelers can bring many interesting things from the trip that characterize the life and traditions of the people. The best place fairs are considered for the selection of souvenirs. They take place on the squares: Mira, Republic, Palacky, Jiri s Podebrad, Rear, Staromestska and Wenceslas. Some outlets start working from the end of November, but the peak of sales falls on Christmas days. The features of visiting Prague at Christmas are not only in the special atmosphere of the city, but also in the opportunity to make an unforgettable gift for your loved one. In such a situation, do not forget about surprises for loved ones.
Souvenir shops line up on the main Wenceslas Square, which delight local residents and tourists with their diversity. And what is there just not there: copper bells, jester's hats, wooden dolls, various figurines, Bohemian glass and everything you need for a happy Christmas celebration.
Main New Year's Square in Prague Fair sales are full of goods from China, but there are also locally made items that are distinguished by their originality. Right in the presence of the customer, exclusive forged candlesticks are made, they can be a wonderful gift for relatives and friends. Christmas 2017 in Prague will invariably bring new batches of Bohemian crystal, beer mugs, unique souvenir cups with images of the sights of the capital, wooden toys and puppet puppets, paintings and colorful photographs, as well as T-shirts. To go home with beautiful and the right gifts, you must visit Celetna street. There are many small shops and shops on it, in which all traditional Christmas souvenirs and novelties are offered in abundance.
Taste of Prague Christmas
Christmas in Prague is distinguished not only by its peculiar folk flavor, but also by the abundance of festive dishes that can be called, if not exotic, then quite unusual. Right on Christmas Eve, a table is laid, consisting of twelve dishes. All of them are fast. Visitors should definitely try each of them.
For a whole year, fish - carp - are fattened for the Christmas table. Traditional dishes are prepared from it. A fish scale and a coin are always placed under the guest's plate, both of them symbolize prosperity. Fried carp is always served with potato salad, as well as fish soup. Christmas Prague is filled with attractive aromas that do not disappear, but only change to next day. On December 25, Czechs start cooking the traditional goose and rich pastries, and the whole family makes cookies.
Traditional Christmas sweet - trdelniki Trdelniki remain one of the favorite delicacies of children and adults. Sweet pastries are found not only on the home table, but also in restaurants and cafes. No one will leave the Czech capital hungry. On this holiday, even bears get their portion of delicacies, because according to ancient tradition, it is customary to feed them to satiety in order to protect people from a sudden attack of animals. You don't have to go far, the clubfoot live in the ditch of Český Krumlov.
They sit down to dinner at Christmas with the first star, and it is believed that if a person fasted before Christmas, a golden pig can come to him and give him a bag of happiness. But, if you were not invited to celebrate Christmas in a Czech house, do not be discouraged, because in any restaurant you will be fed no worse than at home and they will also offer you to drink hot mulled wine. And what if not mulled wine will invigorate and warm you on a cold Christmas night.
Magical Czech Christmas Symbols
New Year and Christmas make the city unrecognizable. Traditional symbols of the holiday are found at every step. A nativity scene or Betlem is put up in the squares. Everyone will be able to see with their own eyes the environment of the manger in which the baby Jesus was born. After enjoying this spectacle, go for a walk around the city. Almost on every door of the house, shops and restaurants you can see an Advent wreath or a spruce branch. These are traditional Christmas decorations not only in the Czech Republic, but throughout the Catholic world. Czechs do not like to harm nature, so coniferous trees are installed only in pots in houses and on the streets. They are not cut down and then thrown away as useless. The trees continue to grow and delight the eyes of passers-by.
Christmas in Prague is striking in its versatility. On the streets you will see Santa Claus, Father Frost, Mikulas and Hedgehog. All these characters give gifts and wish prosperity and well-being. The hedgehog is Jesus, whose name is glorified by this holiday, it is he who works miracles and gives everyone welcome surprises. Many traditions are associated with the righteous way of life of local residents. If you fast before Christmas and lead a godly life, you can get a bag of treasures from the golden pig. And in the early morning before Christmas Eve, adults and children go to the banks of the Vltava. There, since early morning, traders with live goods have been waiting for them. Barrels full of little carps are waiting to be released into the wild. This fish appears not only on the menu, but also in the traditions of the Czechs.
A sweet symbol of Christmas in Prague are small cookies called tsukrovi. It began to be baked in the 19th century, and continues to this day. Prague is filled with the aroma of pastries, which arouses interest not only in its gastronomy, but also in sights.
Cookies "tsukrovi" Sights of Christmas Prague
A visit to the ancient city entails sightseeing, even if the time of the tar fell on the Christmas or New Year holidays. In order not to depend on excursion routes, rent a car. The convenience of movement and the opportunity to see the most remote and remarkable places will return the money spent on the car a hundredfold. Tourists at Christmas in Prague should definitely take a walk around the city or order sightseeing tour with a stop at Wenceslas Square. Life is in full swing there, nativity scenes are exhibited and fairground souvenirs are sold.
Experienced tourists know how to plan their Prague day.
- In the morning they go on a sightseeing tour of the city, which can be done either by bus or in a rented car with a personal guide.
- Closer to dinner, visitors can attend a master class. Its theme is the preparation of Christmas dinner. Classes are conducted by experienced chefs, so everyone will take note of several recipes.
- The evening must be dedicated to the entertainment program. For these purposes, a medieval show held in Detenitsa is suitable. The festive event ends with a hearty and delicious dinner, as well as bright fireworks.
You can plunge deeper into the life of Prague and feel its pre-holiday trembling by going along the following route:
- Sightseeing tour of Prague;
- Rest and walk in a picturesque park;
- Master class on cooking zukrovy;
- Visit a tour of the mystical places of Prague.
A rented car will be a good help in an exciting journey through Prague. Christmas holidays spent in the capital of the Czech Republic will be a good gift and a good start to a new period in life.
