Jakub Jan Ryba wrote his Czech Christmas Mass in 1796. It is a pastoral setting in Czech of the shepherds going to Bethlehem, and it opens with the line “Hej, mistře”. Czechs call it simply Rybovka, and for most families Christmas has not started until they have heard it. It is short and tuneful, and Prague performs it constantly in the second half of December. The main staged production this year is Matěj Forman’s puppet version in the Municipal House on 22 and 23 December 2026, and there are several church performances on Christmas Day.
Where to Hear It in 2026
| 22–23 December Municipal House, Smetana Hall |
Kouzelná Rybovka, Matěj Forman’s staging with wooden puppets, painted sets and singers in costume. Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK under Zdeněk Klauda. 22 December at 16:00 and 19:30, 23 December at 10:00. Good with children. |
| 23 December Main railway station |
Rybovka na Hlaváku at 13:00: a free sing-along in the station’s main hall, open to anyone who wants to join in. |
| 25 December Church of St Simon and St Jude |
The same Forman production, at 15:00 and 18:00. |
| 25 December Church of St Wenceslas, Smíchov |
Bach-Collegium Praha’s annual Christmas Day performance at 16:00, ending with the whole church singing “Narodil se Kristus Pán”. Tickets 250 CZK. |
| 25 December St Nicholas, Malá Strana |
Gaudium Praha and Piccola orchestra under Marek Valášek, at 17:00. |
The National Theatre also includes the Mass in its Sunday-morning Advent concerts with the Kühn Children’s Choir, from 29 November. There is more choral music in our guide to Prague’s Advent choral concerts.
Practical Notes
- Tickets: The Municipal House performances sell out, so book well ahead through the Municipal House or FOK. The church performances are cheaper, and some have a voluntary entry fee.
- Getting there: The Municipal House is at Náměstí Republiky (metro B). St Simon and St Jude is in Dušní Street, a short walk from Staroměstská (metro A). St Wenceslas in Smíchov is near Anděl (metro B).
- Dress warmly: Prague churches are cold in December. Keep your coat on.
- Language: It is sung in Czech, but the music needs no translation, and it lasts well under an hour.
For the rest of the season, see Prague in December.
