100,000 Visitors Expected in Prague for New Year’s Eve

Prague is gearing up for the New Year’s Eve celebration, with an estimated 100,000 tourists arriving from the Czech Republic and abroad.

In response, hundreds of police officers, paramedics, and firefighters will be on duty to ensure public safety and maintain order during the festivities.

Heightened Security Across the City

Police forces from various departments will patrol the streets, focusing on enforcing regulations and preventing disturbances. Officers will particularly monitor compliance with local decrees that ban the use of pyrotechnics in specific areas, such as the city center, embankments, parks, hospitals, the zoo, and shelters.

Violators face fines of up to CZK 10,000 on the spot, or as high as CZK 100,000 through administrative proceedings. The use of sky lanterns is prohibited across the capital.

Eva Kropáčová, a police spokesperson, emphasized the importance of adhering to these restrictions: “Officers will be on the lookout for violations in restricted areas to ensure a safe environment for all residents and visitors.”

Police have assured the public that, while there are no known security threats, patrols will be visible in areas with large crowds and so-called “soft targets.”

Emergency Services on High Alert

From 3 p.m., medical personnel will be stationed at key locations, including Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, with 30 paramedics on standby. A mobile medical unit, equipped to treat up to 12 patients at a time, will be set up at Old Town Square. Additional vehicles, such as a Polaris quad bike for rapid urban navigation and a specialized Iveco logistics vehicle, will support the response teams.

Ambulance services will operate at full capacity, with reinforcement crews ready across the city. “Special vehicles like the evacuation unit Fénix and the off-road Atego will be stationed for immediate deployment,” said rescue service spokesperson Jana Poštová.

Due to ongoing construction at Wenceslas Square, celebrations there are expected to be more subdued this year. However, security measures remain robust, with two rescue crews stationed at the square until at least 3 a.m.

Public Spaces and Market Operations

Organizers of the Christmas markets have coordinated with city authorities to ensure a smooth transition into the New Year.

“Ambulances and private security teams will be present on both squares starting at 7 p.m. Refreshment stalls will operate until midnight, while the observation bridge at Old Town Square will close at 10 p.m.,” said Hana Tietze, spokesperson for Taiko, the Christmas market organizer.

About Last Year

During last year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, police responded to around 1,000 emergency calls, which included reports of illegal fireworks, minor fires, and altercations. Nine people were arrested, and nearly 70 infractions were documented.

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