Christmas Tree Chosen for Old Town Square: When to See the Lighting Ceremony

A 22-meter spruce has been selected to adorn the Czech capital’s famed Christmas market.

The perfectly shaped spruce tree (what the Czechs call Smrk) was found in the village of Krompach in the Liberec Region. The tree, a 65-year-old common spruce, stands an impressive 22 meters tall and has a trunk circumference of 230 centimeters.

It is located on a private property, where experts will test the tree’s health before it travels to the capital. This year’s spruce is much thicker than last year’s.

The tree’s owner, Roman Kubesh, had planned to cut it down, fearing it might fall onto his house during strong winds. When Taiko announced a contest to find the perfect Christmas tree, he submitted his spruce as a candidate.

His application was one of 45 entries, and his tree was selected as the winner. Kubesh will receive a cash prize of 10,000 CZK for his submission.

If all goes as planned, the spruce will be cut down on November 23. From there, the spruce will make its way to Prague, where it will be carefully decorated for several days in preparation for the lighting ceremony.

The Christmas tree lights will be illuminated for the first time on November 30, the same day the Christmas market at Old Town Square officially opens.

Useful info

Christmas markets in the lower part of the Wenceslas square start on November 30, 2024, and end on January 6, 2025. Stands with Christmas goods are open from from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and food stands close at 12 p.m.

Markets at Náměstí Republiky close to V Celnici Street will be held daily from November 25 to December 24, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Christmas markets at Náměstí Míru will take place in front of the Church of St. Ludmila from November 20 to December 24, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. About 60 stalls feature a great selection of traditional Christmas goods.

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