Prague Christmas Market 2026: Dates, Flights from the UK and Tips

Dates and locations in 2026

Prague’s two main Christmas markets take over Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) and Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 (checked on 30 October 2026). Both are run by the same organiser — Trhy Praha, the company behind the official market site trhypraha.cz — and share the same calendar, so you can treat them as one experience across two squares.

The markets traditionally open on the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent, which falls on 28 November in 2026. The giant Christmas tree on Old Town Square is lit on opening day, and the organiser announces the exact ceremony time closer to the date (checked on 30 October 2026).

Stalls are open daily from 10:00 to 22:00 (checked on 30 October 2026). The two main markets run straight through Christmas, New Year’s Eve and into the first week of January — handy if you can only travel after 25 December, when many other European markets have already closed. Hours on Christmas Eve and the Christmas holidays can differ, so check the organiser’s site again just before you go. The squares are a few minutes’ walk apart, so seeing both in one evening is easy — and for the full picture of Europe’s 2026 Christmas markets, see our Christmas markets 2026 hub.

What to expect: food, crafts and the famous tree

Old Town Square is the flagship: a huge Christmas tree framed by the Gothic towers of the Church of Our Lady before Týn and the Astronomical Clock, with a stage hosting choirs, school groups, and music and folklore programmes through Advent. Wenceslas Square is the second main market — a short stroll away, with crafts and food stalls of its own.

For food, expect the classics: svařák (hot mulled wine), Prague ham (pražská šunka) carved off the bone, grilled sausages, Christmas cookies and plenty of stalls selling trdelník, the sweet rolled pastry that has become a fixture of the markets. One tip worth knowing: ham and some other hot foods are priced by weight, so confirm the price before the plate is filled.

The craft stalls lean traditional — Christmas tree ornaments, glassware, ceramics, wooden toys, candles and embroidered decorations made by Czech artisans. Entry to the markets themselves is free (checked on 30 October 2026); you only pay for what you eat, drink or buy.

Getting there from the UK

London–Prague is the most popular route out of Václav Havel Airport Prague, with more than 1.3 million passengers in 2025, and the airport’s winter 2026/27 schedule (25 October 2026 – 27 March 2027) lists up to 12 flights a day on the route. Five airlines fly direct from four London airports to Prague:

• Heathrow: British Airways, several flights a day all year round.
• Gatwick: easyJet and Wizz Air, with Wizz Air flying four times a week in winter 2026/27.
• Stansted: Ryanair all year (up to four flights a day in November and December 2026) and Jet2.com in winter only — sold mainly for city breaks and the Christmas markets.
• Luton: Wizz Air (daily in winter 2026/27) and easyJet.

Outside London, Manchester has direct flights with Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2. The direct flight takes around 2 hours. Timetables change from season to season, so check the airline sites for current fares and schedules — we don’t quote prices, because they move daily.

One practical note: all London flights land at Terminal 1 at Prague, the terminal for flights from outside the Schengen area, so expect passport control on arrival.

Where to stay

Location matters more than stars for a market trip. Stay in the Old Town or New Town and both main markets will be within walking distance. Vinohrady is a good value alternative with a lovely local feel, close to the Náměstí Míru market. Advent weekends are the busiest of the year — book as early as you can, especially if you are travelling in the week before Christmas.

Tips for visiting

• Go early for photos, late for atmosphere. Visit around 10:00 for empty stalls and easy browsing, then come back after dark when the lights are on. The markets are busiest between 17:00 and 21:00, when day-trippers and locals finishing work overlap.
• Currency: Prague uses the Czech koruna, not the euro. Cards are widely accepted, but it’s handy to carry some cash for smaller stalls. ATMs and exchange offices in the centre are plentiful — avoid the exchange booths with the worst rates on the main tourist streets.
• Getting around: the nearest metro stops for Old Town Square are Staroměstská (line A) or Můstek (lines A and B). The centre is compact and walkable; both main markets are an easy stroll apart.
• Wrap up properly. December evenings in Prague are cold, often dropping below freezing, and the fun is all outdoors. Warm boots, a proper coat and gloves make the difference between a magical evening and a miserable one.
• Check holiday hours. The markets stay open through Christmas and New Year, but hours on 24, 25 and 26 December can differ from the standard 10:00–22:00, so confirm on the organiser’s page before travelling on those days.

Other Christmas markets in Prague

The two big central markets are not the whole story. Prague’s smaller neighbourhood markets open earlier and close on Christmas Eve — worth knowing if you’re visiting in late November or want a more local feel. According to VisitCzechia’s 2026 listing, Náměstí Míru (Peace Square) in Vinohrady runs 20 November to 24 December 2026 (checked on 30 October 2026) and is the locals’ favourite, with ornaments, ceramic nativity scenes, wooden toys and artist-made jewellery. Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square) runs 25 November to 24 December 2026 (checked on 30 October 2026).

If you’re weighing up festive trips, our 2026 Christmas markets guide compares dates across Europe, and Disneyland Paris at Christmas is the other big December trip idea for families flying from the UK.

Frequently asked questions

When do the Prague Christmas markets open in 2026?

The main markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square open on 28 November 2026 and run until 6 January 2027, daily from 10:00 to 22:00 (checked on 30 October 2026). The smaller Náměstí Míru market opens earlier, on 20 November, and closes on 24 December.

Is entry to the Prague Christmas markets free?

Yes. The official market pages list no admission fee (checked on 30 October 2026) — you pay only for food, drink and gifts at the stalls.

Can I fly to Prague from the UK?

Easily. British Airways flies from Heathrow; easyJet and Wizz Air from Gatwick and Luton; Ryanair from Stansted; Jet2 from Stansted and Manchester in winter. The flight takes around 2 hours. Check airline sites for current fares.

Are the markets open on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve?

Yes — the two main markets run straight through Christmas, New Year’s Eve and into early January (checked on 30 October 2026), which is why Prague works well for a post-Christmas break. Hours on the holiday days themselves can differ, so check the organiser’s site before you go.

What currency should I bring?

Czech koruna (CZK). Prague does not use the euro. Cards are widely accepted, and it’s worth carrying some cash for the smaller stalls.