Dušičky is the Czech name for the days around All Saints’ Day (1 November) and All Souls’ Day (2 November), when families visit graves, tidy them and light candles. After dark, the larger cemeteries are covered in small lights. In 2026 All Souls’ Day falls on Monday 2 November, and Prague’s city cemeteries stay open late from Saturday 31 October to Monday 2 November. Neither day is a public holiday, so shops and transport run as normal.
Dušičky and Halloween
Halloween has arrived in Prague through bars, clubs and children’s parties, but it is an import. Dušičky is quiet and family-centred. If you visit a cemetery in these days, keep your voice down, stay on the paths and do not photograph people at graves. For other seasonal customs, see Czech traditions through the year.
Where to Go
| Olšany Cemeteries Žižkov / Vinohrady |
Prague’s largest cemetery, about 50 hectares of graves, chapels and old trees. It is mostly unlit, so the candles stand out. The city cemetery operator runs paid themed walks over the Dušičky weekend; several sold out early. |
| Vyšehrad Cemetery and Slavín Vyšehrad |
The resting place of many Czech artists and composers, with the Slavín tomb at its centre. It is next to the basilica on the Vyšehrad rock. The 2026 programme lists a Slavín crypt tour on 31 October and a service in the basilica and cemetery on 2 November at 17:00. |
Practical Notes
- Opening hours: Prague’s city-run cemeteries are open 08:00–19:00 from 31 October to 2 November 2026 (except Malá Strana cemetery). Normal November hours are 08:00–17:00. Vyšehrad cemetery publishes its own hours, so check before an evening visit.
- When to go: Dusk is when the candles show best. Large parts of Olšany have no lighting, so arrive before it is fully dark and bring a torch.
- Olšany access: Entrances from Jana Želivského street are closed for roadworks, so use the other gates. Flora and Želivského (metro line A) are the nearest stations.
- Vyšehrad access: Vyšehrad station (metro line C) is about 15 minutes’ walk from the cemetery.
- Candles: Grave candles are sold at stalls by cemetery gates and in supermarkets.
