Every Advent a spruce arrives in Old Town Square, and for six weeks it is the most photographed object in the Czech Republic. Its journey starts months earlier in a forest somewhere in Bohemia, and the day it is switched on marks the official start of Christmas in Prague.
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.
The 2026 Lighting Ceremony
The tree is lit on Saturday 28 November 2026 at 16:30, the first day of the Advent markets. The ceremony draws a large crowd, so arrive by 15:30 if you want to stand anywhere near the front. After the first lighting the tree is illuminated every evening until the markets close on 6 January 2027, with a short light-and-music show repeating through the evening. Details in lighting ceremony and festive shows.
Where the Tree Comes From
The spruce is chosen from a Czech forest, most often in the Liberec or Hradec Králové regions, and the selection is treated seriously — height matters, but so does symmetry and the shape of the crown. Many trees are donated by private owners who apply to the city. The cut and the transport draw small crowds in the villages along the route, and the tree usually arrives in the square before dawn to avoid closing the centre during the day. The story behind Prague’s giant tree follows one year’s journey in full.
How It Is Decorated
Crews spend two to three days dressing the spruce with thousands of LED lights and oversized ornaments before the first lighting. In recent years the city has switched entirely to low-energy lighting and reused decorations between seasons. Local artisans hang gingerbread hearts and carved wooden angels at the base, alongside the nativity scene. For the details most people miss, see fun facts about this year’s decoration and Czech nativity scenes.
What Happens to the Tree Afterwards
It is not thrown away. In recent years the timber has been donated — often to charities, workshops or children’s projects — and the practice has become part of the tradition, quietly answering the obvious objection to cutting a hundred-year-old spruce for six weeks of lights.
Seeing It Without the Crowd
- Before 10:00 the square is nearly empty and the tree photographs cleanly against the Týn towers.
- After 21:30 the stalls quieten while the lights stay on.
- Avoid 17:00–20:00 from mid-December, when moving through the square takes real effort.
- More timing help in insider tips for avoiding the crowds.
While You Are in the Square
The stalls under the tree serve klobása, trdelník and mulled wine. If you are building a full day around it, our one-day Christmas market walk starts here at 08:30.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Prague Christmas tree lit in 2026?
Saturday 28 November 2026 at 16:30 on Old Town Square, opening the Advent market season.
Where does the tree come from?
From a Czech forest, usually in the Liberec or Hradec Králové region, often donated by a private owner.
How long does it stay up?
Until the markets close on 6 January 2027, lit every evening.
Is there a charge to see the ceremony?
No, it is free and open to everyone. Arrive around an hour early for a decent view.
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.
