Like many Eastern European cities, Prague’s celebration of Christmas makes it a popular destination for tourists in December. Fortunately, although Prague’s weather in December is cold, the rainy season is over, so you won’t be soaked in the city’s outdoor Christmas festivities.
Prague weather in December
With an average daily temperature of 35.5 degrees Fahrenheit, and not much of a range between high and low averages, December marks the beginning of the cold season for the capital city of the Czech Republic. However, the average precipitation (rain or light snow) this month is less than an inch on an average of five days, so you won’t have to worry too much about staying dry on your trip.
- Average High: 39 degrees Fahrenheit (3.89 degrees Celsius)
- Average Low: 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius)
December days are short and generally cloudy, meaning you’ll only experience a few hours of sunshine a day before the sun sets around 4:30 p.m. Also, temperatures drop by about 10 degrees Fahrenheit overnight and As a result, if you ‘plan to take a look at some of the festive lights that decorate the town squares of the city, you will need to bundle up even more.
What to pack
The key to staying comfortable in Prague at this time of year is to pack a lot of layers; Sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, pants, insulating leggings, and thermal underwear are recommended, especially if you plan to stay outside from day to night. Although you can comfortably leave your raincoat and waterproof shoes at home, you may want to bring an umbrella and comfortable insulated shoes, as it can rain or snow lightly and you will likely do a lot of walking during your visit.
December events in Prague
One of the city’s biggest attractions at this time of year is the open-air Christmas markets; The Old Town Square open-air market, in particular, is a popular attraction in December because its historic architecture is lit up for Christmas. In addition, festive activities and events last throughout December in Prague; In addition to the Prague Christmas Market, an annual Christmas exhibition at the Bethlehem Chapel displays crafts and decorations created around a festive theme.
However, if you are looking for something unrelated to Christmas or the holiday season while visiting Prague in December, the only real option other than temporary exhibitions and theatrical performances is to attend the Bohuslav Martinu Music Festival concerts.
- Saint Nicholas (Mikulas): an annual event that takes place on December 5 in which the Czech Saint Nicholas rewards good children with treats in the Old Town Square and elsewhere in the city, often accompanied by mischievous guides of angels and demons, as is the tradition in Czech folklore. St. Mikulas dresses as a bishop in white clothing, rather than the red garb that Santa Claus wears.
- Christmas Eve : the Czech Republic celebrates this day with a feast with a main course of carp. In addition, the Christmas tree is decorated with apples, sweets and traditional ornaments, and the baby Jesus (Jezisek) is the star of the show who brings gifts instead of Santa Claus.
- New Years Eve – On the last day of the year, Prague celebrates around the city with fireworks that light up the sky, as well as festive street parties and private events in bars and clubs in the Old Town and beyond.
- Bohuslav Martinu Music Festival – Named for the famous 20th century Czech composer, this festival features musical performances in concert halls in Prague.
December Travel Tips
- If you visit the city specifically to attend the Christmas market, it makes sense to reserve a room near Old Town Square, which will make getting to the market easier.
- Rates for Prague hotel rooms in December will be moderate to high and sell out, so book as far in advance as possible.
- If you travel to the city during the first half of the month, you are likely to find significantly cheaper prices on airfare and accommodation than if you travel closer to Christmas Eve and at the end of the year.
- Czech folklore says that the baby Jesus lives in the mountains, in the town of Bozi Dar, where a post office accepts and stamps letters addressed to him; If you want, you can take a day trip to this small town, but you will also find many celebrations around Jesus on Christmas Eve in Prague.
