Enjoy the most beautiful Christmas markets

Experience Christmas in Prague, Brno and Olomouc and soak up the right festive atmosphere!

The Christmas season is approaching. Find the time to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere and shop for presents in peace at some of the most beautiful markets in the country.

Prague lit up by thousands of lights

Nearly everyone wants to experience the atmosphere of the Christmas market of Old Town Square. Christmas in Prague includes lit stalls full of tasty morsels and listening to music. Some people might resent the commercial style of selling or the expensive goods, and yet this beautiful event annually attracts a huge number of Czechs and foreigners. The beautiful Christmas tree is lit up for the first time on November 30 and you can enjoy typical food and drinks, shop for little items, watch traditional craftsmanship in action, entertain the kids with little workshops and enjoy concerts from December 1 until the first day of 2014. There are other Christmas markets on Wenceslas Square or on the Square of Peace. During wintertime in Prague you can visit Prague Castle, Franz Kafka Museum or the Jewish Museum.

Brno is preparing three large Christmas markets

Another city famous for its Christmas atmosphere is Brno. The Christmas markets here are held in many locations, but the biggest market is the one on Liberty Square. The tree is lit up on November 30 and you will be able to enjoy the aroma of roasted chestnuts, punch or traditional pies until December 23. Various bands provide the background music. Children can ride the ponies or write their wishes to Baby Jesus.

Olomouc has a free skating rink

Every year sees more and more popular traditional markets in Olomouc on the Upper Square. The Christmas tree is lit up here early on November 24 and you can sing with performers at concerts every day until Christmas Eve. You can also hear famous Czech bands live here. Olomouc has the only market in the Czech Republic where you can try the original quality of Nuremberg wine and punch. Come skate for free at the rink until the end of February. Not even winter will you prevent you from admiring the Holy Trinity Column or the Basilica of the Virgin Mary on Svatý Kopeček.

Český Krumlov adorned with the live nativity scene

The city of Český Krumlov is magical at any time of year. At Christmas, however, its charm stands out even more. Svornost Square becomes a meeting place for friends and a tourist destination. From November 29 until Three Kings the square is dominated by a lit Christmas tree under which carols are sung and St. Nicholas walks around collecting letters for Baby Jesus. The atmosphere is underscored by a live nativity scene and the Christmas cheer is capped off by the Advent weekends with markets. During poor weather, you can head to the Seidler Photo Studio Museum, and when the weather is nice, you can enjoy a stroll along the banks of the Vltava River, where you can warm up in one of the cafes or restaurants.

Hear buglers and pipers in České Budějovice

This South Bohemian city has one of the largest squares in the country. Naturally you will find traditional Christmas markets there. From November 29 to December 23, Přemysl Otakar II Square in České Budějovice will be the place to see traditional crafts and customs in action. Here, you can try lots of good things to eat and drink, listen to carols or buy gifts. All these nice Advent activities are enriched by listening to buglers and pipers or by watching folklore groups. Once you have had your fill of mulled wine and punch, come take a tour of the Budějovické Budvar Brewery.

For further information, please contact:

CzechTourism Scandinavia and Finland

tel. + 46 8 44 04 239

E-mail: info-se@czechtourism.com

Web: www.czechtourism.com