Public holidays in Prague

What it means for your trip

On 8 of Czechia's 13 public holidays a law closes shops over 200 m2 (marked below), and on 24 December they close from noon; small shops, petrol stations, pharmacies and shops at airports and stations stay open. Restaurants and sights decide for themselves: many close or shorten hours around Christmas.

Public holidays in 2026

• Thu 1 January New Year's Day (Nový rok / Den obnovy samostatného českého státu) Large shops closed
  Also Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State, marking the 1993 split from Slovakia. Large shops are closed by law.
• Fri 3 April Good Friday (Velký pátek)
  The Friday before Easter, a day off for workers since 2016. Shops are allowed to open.
• Mon 6 April Easter Monday (Velikonoční pondělí) Large shops closed
  Known for the pomlázka tradition, when boys whip girls with braided willow twigs for good luck. Large shops are closed by law.
• Fri 1 May Labour Day (Svátek práce)
  Workers' day, also traditionally a day for couples to kiss under a blossoming cherry tree on Petřín. Shops are allowed to open.
• Fri 8 May Liberation Day (Den vítězství) Large shops closed
  Marks the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945, with wreath-laying ceremonies. Large shops are closed by law.
• Sun 5 July Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (Den slovanských věrozvěstů Cyrila a Metoděje)
  Honours the two missionaries who brought Christianity and the Slavic alphabet to the region in the 9th century. Shops are allowed to open.
• Mon 6 July Jan Hus Day (Den upálení mistra Jana Husa)
  Remembers the reformer Jan Hus, burned at the stake in 1415. His monument stands on Old Town Square. Shops are allowed to open.
• Mon 28 September Statehood Day (St Wenceslas) (Den české státnosti) Large shops closed
  Honours Saint Wenceslas, the patron of Czechia. Large shops are closed by law.
• Wed 28 October Independent Czechoslovak State Day (Den vzniku samostatného československého státu) Large shops closed
  Marks the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918, with ceremonies at Prague Castle. Large shops are closed by law.
• Tue 17 November Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (Den boje za svobodu a demokracii)
  Remembers the student protests of 1939 and the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Candles are lit on Národní třída. Shops are allowed to open.
• Thu 24 December Christmas Eve (Štědrý den) Large shops closed
  The main Czech Christmas day, with carp and potato salad for dinner. Large shops close at 12:00, and most restaurants and attractions close early or all day.
• Fri 25 December Christmas Day (1. svátek vánoční) Large shops closed
  A quiet family day. Large shops are closed by law, and many restaurants and attractions are closed too.
• Sat 26 December St Stephen's Day (2. svátek vánoční) Large shops closed
  The second day of Christmas, with family visits and carol singing. Large shops are closed by law.

Public holidays in 2027

• Fri 1 January New Year's Day (Nový rok / Den obnovy samostatného českého státu) Large shops closed
  Also Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State, marking the 1993 split from Slovakia. Large shops are closed by law.
• Fri 26 March Good Friday (Velký pátek)
  The Friday before Easter, a day off for workers since 2016. Shops are allowed to open.
• Mon 29 March Easter Monday (Velikonoční pondělí) Large shops closed
  Known for the pomlázka tradition, when boys whip girls with braided willow twigs for good luck. Large shops are closed by law.
• Sat 1 May Labour Day (Svátek práce)
  Workers' day, also traditionally a day for couples to kiss under a blossoming cherry tree on Petřín. Shops are allowed to open.
• Sat 8 May Liberation Day (Den vítězství) Large shops closed
  Marks the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945, with wreath-laying ceremonies. Large shops are closed by law.
• Mon 5 July Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (Den slovanských věrozvěstů Cyrila a Metoděje)
  Honours the two missionaries who brought Christianity and the Slavic alphabet to the region in the 9th century. Shops are allowed to open.
• Tue 6 July Jan Hus Day (Den upálení mistra Jana Husa)
  Remembers the reformer Jan Hus, burned at the stake in 1415. His monument stands on Old Town Square. Shops are allowed to open.
• Tue 28 September Statehood Day (St Wenceslas) (Den české státnosti) Large shops closed
  Honours Saint Wenceslas, the patron of Czechia. Large shops are closed by law.
• Thu 28 October Independent Czechoslovak State Day (Den vzniku samostatného československého státu) Large shops closed
  Marks the founding of Czechoslovakia in 1918, with ceremonies at Prague Castle. Large shops are closed by law.
• Wed 17 November Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (Den boje za svobodu a demokracii)
  Remembers the student protests of 1939 and the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Candles are lit on Národní třída. Shops are allowed to open.
• Fri 24 December Christmas Eve (Štědrý den) Large shops closed
  The main Czech Christmas day, with carp and potato salad for dinner. Large shops close at 12:00, and most restaurants and attractions close early or all day.
• Sat 25 December Christmas Day (1. svátek vánoční) Large shops closed
  A quiet family day. Large shops are closed by law, and many restaurants and attractions are closed too.
• Sun 26 December St Stephen's Day (2. svátek vánoční) Large shops closed
  The second day of Christmas, with family visits and carol singing. Large shops are closed by law.