Prague’s Christmas markets sell a great deal of imported tat alongside genuinely good Czech craft, and telling them apart takes about thirty seconds once you know what to look for. These ten are worth suitcase space — with rough prices and where to find them.
Prague Christmas Markets 2026: Dates & Opening Hours
Here are the confirmed dates for the 2026–2027 season, so you can plan before you go:
| Market | Dates | Daily hours |
| Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) | 28 November 2026 – 6 January 2027 | 10:00 – 22:00 |
| Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) | 28 November 2026 – 6 January 2027 | 10:00 – 22:00 |
| Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) | 20 November – 24 December 2026 | 10:00 – 20:00 |
| Republic Square (Náměstí Republiky) | 25 November – 24 December 2026 | 10:00 – 19:00 |
Tree lighting ceremony: 28 November 2026 at 16:30 on Old Town Square.
Holiday exceptions: 24 December 10:00–14:00 · 25–26 December 12:00–22:00 · 31 December 10:00–15:00.
Entry is free at every market — you only pay for food, drinks and gifts.
1. Hand-Blown Glass Ornaments
Bohemian glass-making goes back centuries and the hand-painted baubles are the classic Prague souvenir. Expect 150–600 CZK each. Genuine hand-blown pieces have a slight irregularity and a visible pontil mark at the top; perfectly uniform ones are machine-made imports.
2. Perník (Decorated Gingerbread)
Iced gingerbread hearts and stars, often intricately piped. They keep for months and survive luggage if boxed. 50–250 CZK depending on size.
3. Medovník (Honey Cake)
Layered honey cake with cream filling — the Czech cake people actually eat. Vacuum-packed versions travel well for a few days. Around 200–400 CZK per cake.
4. Wooden Toys and Marionettes
Czech puppetry is on the UNESCO intangible heritage list. Hand-carved marionettes run from 500 CZK for simple pieces well into the thousands for artist-made ones. The cheap plastic-headed puppets on Karlova Street are not the same thing.
5. Becherovka and Fruit Brandies
The herbal liqueur from Karlovy Vary, around 300–450 CZK a bottle — cheaper in supermarkets than at the markets. Slivovice (plum brandy) is the other classic. Check your airline’s liquid rules.
6. Czech Christmas Tea and Spice Blends
Mulled wine spice mixes and Christmas tea blends are light, cheap (80–200 CZK) and let you recreate the smell of the markets at home.
7. Straw and Corn-Husk Ornaments
Traditional folk decorations — stars, angels, small figures — made from wheat straw. Genuinely Czech, very light, and inexpensive at 50–200 CZK.
8. Moravian Ceramics and Folk Embroidery
Blue-and-white painted pottery and hand-stitched linens from Moravia. Heavier and pricier, but these are the pieces that end up on a table rather than in a drawer.
9. Bohemian Cut Crystal
Glasses, decanters and vases. Buy from an established shop rather than a market stall if you are spending real money, and ask for the lead content — genuine lead crystal rings when tapped.
10. A Market Mug
The ceramic mug your mulled wine comes in is printed with the year and the market name. Pay the deposit, then simply keep it — the cheapest and most honest souvenir at the whole market. See where to find the best mulled wine for how the deposit works.
Where to Buy
Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square have the widest choice and the highest prices. Havelské tržiště, the old street market off Na Můstku, is cheaper for small items. For genuine craft rather than souvenirs, local Christmas markets for handmade crafts and handmade gifts from local markets point to the smaller neighbourhood markets where the makers sell directly.
Practical Notes
- Payment: most stalls take cards; small makers may not.
- Bargaining is not customary in Czech markets.
- Food items are generally fine within the EU; check customs rules for meat and dairy elsewhere.
- Glass travels best in hand luggage, wrapped in clothing.
- VAT refunds are available on purchases over 2,000 CZK for non-EU residents — ask the shop for the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy authentic Czech souvenirs?
Old Town and Wenceslas Square markets for choice, Havelské tržiště for value, and neighbourhood markets for makers selling their own work.
How do I spot real Bohemian glass?
Hand-blown pieces have slight irregularities and a pontil mark; the price will also be higher than the identical-looking imports beside them.
Can I take food and alcohol home?
Within the EU, generally yes. Elsewhere, check your own customs rules — particularly for anything containing meat or dairy.
What is the best cheap souvenir?
The mulled wine mug you already paid a deposit on, straw ornaments, or a bag of Christmas spice blend.
Dates and opening hours were last verified in August 2026. Market organisers occasionally adjust hours for special events — check before a long trip across the city.
