Nativity Scenes from Třešť in the Jindřišská TowerNovember 28, 2014 – February 2, 2015traditional hand–carved nativity scenes

New Year's FireworksPrague welcomes the year 2015 with a traditional fireworks display which will be set off on January 1, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. from Letná Park.

Procession of the Three KingsJanuary 5, 2015 at 3:30 p.m.The Three Kings on camels, accompanied by carollers collecting for the Three Kings Charity Drive, ride from Hradčanské Square up Loretánská Street to Loretánské Square to a live nativity scene where they present their gifts to the infant Jesus.

Christmas with Prague City TourismChristmas Celebrations in PragueWalking tour of Prague, with explanations of Christmas customs and traditions.Tour length: 2 hours Price: CZK 300 / personRoute: Old Town Square – Ungelt – Church of St Jacob – Ovocný trh – Estates Theatre – Příkopy – Můstek – Church of Our Lady of the Snows – Národní St. – Church of St Martin in the Wall – Betlémské Square – Church of St Giles – Old Town Hall Dates: December 6, 13, 20 and 27, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Booking: tel. +420 236 002 569, e-mail: guides@prague.euOn-line: eshop.prague.eu

Detailed information, updated daily, about Christmas and New Year's celebrations in Prague can be found at: Tourist Information Centre in the Old Town Hall, at Rytířská Street 31, on Wenceslas Square (corner of Štěpánská Street) and at Václav Havel Airport Praguetel. +420 221 714 714, e-mail: tourinfo@prague.euwww.christmasinprague.com or www.prague.eu

Czech Philharmonic Christmas Concerts at the RudolfinumNovember 30 and December 7 and 14 at 3:00 and 5:30 p.m., and December 21, 2014 at 3:00 p.m.

A Gospel Christmas featuring Roderick Giles & GraceDecember 10, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. in the Church of St Wenceslas in Smíchov

Czech Christmas Mass – Jakub Jan RybaDecember 10, 18 and 25, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mirror Hall of the Clementinum (Baroque Organ & Orchestra Benedictus & Choir Adalbert & Soloist)December 20, 2014 at 2:00, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. in the Estates Theatre (Children's Opera of Prague)December 25, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. in the Church of Sts Simon and Jude (Prague Symphony Orchestra)December 26, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in the Church of the Holy Saviour (Orchestra Benedictus & Choir Adalbert)

Christmas with the Chorea BohemicaDecember 12, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. and December 13 and 14, 2014 at 10:30 a.m., 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the Ball Games Building (Míčovna) at Prague Castle December 22, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. and December 23, 2014 at 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. in the Estates Theatre

Prague Philharmonic Children's Choir Christmas ConcertDecember 13, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Estates TheatreDecember 26, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. in the State Opera

Three Nuts for Cinderella and Czech CarolsDecember 18, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Municipal House (part of the Czech Touches of Music festival)

Prague Philharmonic Orchestra New Year's ConcertDecember 31, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. in the Municipal House

New Year's Eve at the State Opera House December 31, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.Johann Strauss Jr. – Die Fledermaus, swing melodies and dancing

Czech Philharmonic New Year's ConcertJanuary 1, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. in the Rudolfinum

New Year's Concert – Prague Symphony OrchestraJanuary 1, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal House

Three Kings Pastorale in the Church of St Nicholas in the Lesser TownJanuary 3, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.

Twelfth Night (Three Kings) Concert at the Estates TheatreJanuary 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

Christmas Exhibitions

Prague Christmas – A small Christmas exhibitionNovember 29, 2014 – January 6, 2015in the Romanesque-Gothic cellars of the Old Town Hall

Bells of Bethlehem in the Bethlehem Chapel 2014November 29, 2014 – January 4, 2015traditional Christmas exhibition

Nativity Scenes and Christmas TraditionsNovember 29, 2014 – January 7, 2015 exhibition at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows

Marie Dočekalová / Exhibition of Nativity Scenes from around the WorldDecember 20, 2014 – January 2, 2015Johannes Kepler Gymnazium, Parléřova 2, Prague 6

Nativity Scenes at the Charles BridgeNovember 30, 2014 – February 1, 2015 straw nativity scene with life-sized figures of the Holy Family and animals at the Charles Bridge Museum

Christmas Exhibition at the Botanical Garden of the Natural Sciences Faculty of Charles UniversityNovember 28, 2014 – January 2, 2015nativity scenes, Christmas trees with historical ornaments, antique toys

Nativity Scenes at the ClementinumNovember 28, 2014 – January 4, 2015 the best of the Museum of Nativity Scenes at Karlštejn

© Prague City Tourism, 11/2014Photos: ShutterstockNot for sale.

Christmas in Prague

Beautiful Nativity ScenesMany churches in Prague display nativity scenes as a reminder of one of the most significant events in Christianity – the birth of Jesus. They are usually on display from December 24th through the beginning of January, sometimes even longer.

For more information, see www.christmasinprague.com.

Cathedral of Sts Vitus, Wenceslas, and AdalbertPrague 1 – Prague Castle

Monastery Church of Our Lady of AngelsPrague 1 – Hradčany, Loretánské náměstí 6unique Capuchin nativity scene with life–sized figures

Church of Our Lady Before TýnPrague 1 – Staré Město, Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí)

Church of Our Lady Victorious (Infant Jesus of Prague)Prague 1 – Malá Strana, Karmelitská 9

Church of the Virgin Mary Beneath the ChainPrague 1 – Malá Strana, Velkopřevorské náměstí

Church of St ThomasPrague 1 – Malá Strana, Josefská 8

Basilica of Sts Peter and PaulPrague 2 – Vyšehrad

Church of the Most Sacred Heart of Our LordPraha 3 – Vinohrady, náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad

Christmas in PragueThe Christmas season, the most magical time of year, has an unforgettable atmosphere in Prague. Elegant old houses, palaces and towers, cobblestoned streets and baroque squares lit with gas lamps enchant visitors. Come experience the magic of Christmas in Prague!

The Christmas season starts with the beginning of Advent. The city is beautifully adorned with holiday decorations, and festively lit Christmas trees can be found in many places. The largest tree is traditionally located on Old Town Square – also the site of the largest Christmas market in the city.

The first harbinger of Christmas is St Nicholas Day. On the evening of December 5th, you can see this protector of children out on the city streets and squares. An angel and a devil usually accompany him as he visits young children and gives them small gifts.

On Christmas Eve, December 24th, the whole family eats a special meal together. The menu traditionally includes fish or pea soup, fried carp with potato salad, and Christmas cookies for dessert. After dinner, the family gathers around the glowing Christmas tree to open gifts.

Prague’s cultural side turns to Christmas as well – there’s something for everyone at this time of year. For most Czechs, Jakub Jan Ryba's Christmas Mass is an essential part of the holiday season. It’s often performed during Advent and at Christmas, primarily in churches.

Church of St MatthewPrague 6 – Dejvice, U Matějedecorative gingerbread nativity scenes

Christmas MarketsWinter in Prague is closely tied to the magical holiday atmosphere. Live nativity scenes, traditional folk crafts and colourfully decorated Christmas trees create a fairy–tale holiday atmosphere on Prague's most beautiful squares. Get your Christmas shopping done while sipping a cup of mulled wine or rum punch and nibbling on Christmas cookies.

Old Town Square, Prague 1 – Staré MěstoNovember 29, 2014 – January 1, 2015Christmas tree lighting ceremony November 29 between 5 and 6 p.m.

Wenceslas Square, Prague 1 – Nové MěstoNovember 29, 2014 – January 1, 2015

náměstí Republiky, Prague 1 – Nové MěstoNovember 25 – December 24, 2014

náměstí Míru, Prague 2 – VinohradyNovember 20 – December 24, 2014

Tylovo náměstí, Prague 2 – VinohradyNovember 23 – December 24, 2014

náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad, Prague 3 – VinohradyDecember 1 – 20, 2014

Christmas and New Year's ConcertsChristmas in Prague offers a plethora of cultural experiences. Enjoy traditional Czech Christmas carols and holiday music from all over the world…

Advent and Christmas concerts at the Church of St Nicholas in the Lesser TownNovember 29 and December 25 and 26 at 5:00 p.m.

The Nutcracker – A Christmas StoryNovember 29 and 30, December 6, 9, 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 29 and 31, 2014 and January 2, 3, 30 and 31, 2015fairy–tale ballet at the National Theatre

Advent Concerts at the National Theatre – Czech Christmas Mass by Jakub Jan RybaNovember 30 and December 7, 14 and 21, 2014 at 1:00 p.m.

© Prague City Tourism, 11/2014

Photos: Shutterstock

Not for sale.

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