The start of Advent in Prague drew heavy crowds to Old Town Square on Saturday, where the city officially switched on its 22-meter Christmas tree.

The spruce will remain standing through January 6.

This year’s display uses a mix of classic ornaments and light design intended to evoke falling snow. The tree carries 342 traditional decorations, 25 illuminated spheres, and nearly nine kilometers of LED lighting arranged to create a snowfall effect once the show begins.

The lighting ceremony started at 4:30 p.m., accompanied by a children’s choir performing Eva Farná’s well-known holiday song Vánoce na míru.

The musical light sequence will now run every hour from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., repeating daily until the end of the Christmas season.

Old Town Square is hosting Christmas markets once again, attracting both visitors and residents during Advent and the days that follow.

Because of the increased attendance, the Czech Police announced strengthened patrols on site, including officers carrying long weapons. Authorities described the presence as a preventive safety measure, not a response to any specific threat.

The city has also asked visitors to choose alternative metro stations when travelling to the markets. One of the escalators at Staroměstská is currently out of service, and Prague City Hall recommends using Náměstí Republiky or Můstek to help distribute crowds more evenly during peak hours.

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