Christmas Holidays in Czechia: Which Stores Will Remain Open?

With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, shopping fever is at its peak.

This year stores exceeding 200 square meters will be closed for three days as part of the national holidays and will not open again until Wednesday, December 27.

For those last-minute gifts, select stores might extend hours until 11 p.m. on December 22-23. On Dec. 24, larger stores can stay open until noon. However, specific opening hours vary among supermarkets.

The opening hours of shops on public holidays are governed by the law on sales hours in retail and wholesale trade.

It has been in effect in the Czech Republic since October 2016. According to this law, shops over 200 square meters must be closed on certain public holidays.

Shops for Christmas 2022

• December 24 – shops over 200 meters must close by 12:00
• December 25 – all shops are closed
• December 26 – all shops are closed

Only a limited number of restaurants are open, but even these have limited opening hours. Most restaurants book out in advance, so we advise making reservations.

However, exemptions apply to pharmacies, gas stations, and shops in the airport and railway stations (including Prague’s Hlavní nádraží) and hospitals.

Public transport on December 24

Daytime: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
16:00-18:00: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are limited trams.
18:00-24:00: Metro trains run in 20-minute intervals. Night trams run in 30-minute intervals.
24:00-07:00: Night trams run in 30-minute intervals.

Public transport on December 25 and 26

Daytime: Metro trains run in 6-8 minute intervals. There are regular trams.
21:00-24:00 Metro trains run in 10-minute intervals. There are regular trams.
24:00-07:00: Night trams run in 30-minute intervals.

Public transport on New Year’s Eve

On New Year’s Eve, the metro will run on the Sunday timetable with extended hours until approximately 2:30 a.m. (Jan. 1, 2024) at 10-minute intervals.

Trams will offer a reinforced night service from 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m., followed by 20-minute intervals until 7 a.m. For a detailed overview of holiday timetables, consult the official resource here. Plan your festivities accordingly to make the most of the holiday season in Czechia.

Schools

Schoolchildren are on Christmas vacation during this time. These holidays start on Friday, December 22, and end on Tuesday, January 2, 2023.