Christmas in Prague: A Magical Tour of the City’s Festive Markets and Traditions
For this blog I decided to focus on the Christmas markets throughout Prague which we visited. There’s something about Prague during Christmas time that brings the place to life. With all the Christmas markets we went to every street I walked down was saturated with the beautiful sights, from the twinkling lights of Christmas trees and decor, to the scents wafting from mulled wine and sweet chimney cakes filling the crisp winter air. One of the most famous Christmas markets in Prague is located in Old Town Square and is filled with festivity, visiting it was one of the highlights of my trip.
The Christmas market in Old Town Square was nothing short of magical, like when you go to Disney World, while wandering through the cobblestone streets, my attention was caught by an oversized, colored Christmas tree, one of the biggest I have ever seen, sparkling in front of a historical square. Shops selling exquisite handmade crafts filled the stalls of the market to the brim with such items as glass ornaments and perfectly carved wooden toys, I almost bought some myself but was worried about the glass breaking on the way home. It is so easy to lose track of time when one is admiring such special gifts and absorbing the feelings surrounding this festive season.
One of my favorite things to do here was sipping a warm cup of svařák, mulled wine, as I wandered through the stalls, it was the perfect way to stay warm while taking in the sights. Because it was so cold this was the only thing keeping my fingers from freezing off. Of course, I could not resist trying trdelník, the sweet, cinnamon-covered pastry that Prague is famous for, and the main reason I came to Prague, just kidding but oh boy it was delicious!
Wenceslas Square Market
Wenceslas Square was a different atmosphere but no less magical. The market here felt a tad more modern, with shops selling everything from Czech designed clothes to jewelry. I enjoyed strolling through the specialty items, much of which was good for gifts. I was able to get many souvenirs for my family here. The food options were also fantastic, bramboráky (crispy potato pancakes) and vánočka (Czech Christmas bread) were perfect for a cozy snack between market stops.
Christmas Lights and Traditions
Later at night when the sun went down, which wasn’t even that late because the sun was setting at 4pm, which was crazy, the Christmas lights in Prague illuminated the city, making it even more magical. The light reflected off the cobblestone streets from the lights, adding even more charm to the markets. I found myself just walking around, taking in the beauty of the city at night.
I also got a chance to learn more about Czech Christmas traditions. One of the memorable things was listening to Christmas carols sung live at the markets. It was such a touch that added to the festive atmosphere. I was able to experience the lighting of the lights by a special guy called the light master who over sees the lights in Prague. This was truly a magical experience to see first hand.I also learned that many Czechs celebrate Christmas Eve with a meal of carp and potato salad, and some markets even sell fresh carp, there was even a live carp stand right next to our hotel.
Festive Food and Drink
The food and drink at the markets were a huge part of what made this experience so special. The mulled wine, or svařák, was necessary and it was just so comforting to walk with a hot drink in your hand while browsing through the stalls. I could never have enough of the smell of roasted chestnuts and soft gingerbread cookies that was in the air. And of course, trdelník was always the best whenever I needed some sweet to brighten my day.
In my opinion this was one of the most memorable and my favorite parts of my trip was visiting Prague’s Christmas markets. I literally went to a market every day, to drink the hot wine, or eat the tasty sausages. When it comes to the festive Christmas atmosphere, along with the combination of the beautiful lights and delicious food and drink, made it feel like stepping into a Christmas story, like one reads out of a children’s book. Whether I was shopping for unique gifts such as Prague chocolate and Prague clothing, enjoying traditional Czech treats, or just admiring the sights, the holiday season in Prague was truly magical. This is and will always be an experience that I will never forget. It was everything my parents had made it out to be.