Plzeň Christmas Market

The Plzeň Christmas market (Pilsen, in English) takes place on náměstí Republiky, Republic Square, at the foot of St Bartholomew’s Cathedral. For 2026, the City’s tourist office, Plzeň - TURISMUS, and the operator of the square’s markets, PROSTR SERVIS, announce an opening from 21 November to 23 December 2026, every day from 10am to 8pm, with free entry. In 2025, the market gathered around 130 stalls on this single square. CzechTourism lists Plzeň in its selection of Czech markets, and the city makes an easy day trip from Prague.

2026 dates and opening hours

The 2026 dates are out: from 21 November to 23 December 2026, on náměstí Republiky. The stalls open every day from 10am to 8pm, including 23 December, the day before Christmas Eve. Entry is free.

In 2025, the market opened on Saturday 22 November with a fireworks display, and the tree was lit on Sunday 30 November. The 2026 programme, with the days of the fireworks and of the tree lighting, had not been published as of 8 October 2026.

A single square, around 130 stalls in 2025

Everything happens on náměstí Republiky, the large square of the historic centre, around St Bartholomew’s Cathedral. The company PROSTR SERVIS has run the square’s markets since winning a City tender in 2013. In 2025, the director of the tourist office counted around 130 stalls, all on this one square, where Brno spreads its own over several sites. In 2023, the press was already talking of more than a hundred stalls. The tree stood 14 m tall in 2025.

The setting rests on a few local traditions. A large nativity scene with life-size carved wooden figures is set up on the square; in 2025, the Infant Jesus was laid in it on 17 December. On the cathedral railings, visitors touch a lucky angel, the “ošahánek”; in the middle of the market, an illuminated “wishing” bell waits for anyone who wants to make one. In 2025, as in 2023, the night watchman, the “ponocný”, came by at 5pm and 6pm and sounded his horn on the square.

In 2025, the cathedral tower stayed open until 6:30pm, last climb at 6pm, to see the market from above, and a 28 m Ferris wheel rose over the square. The 2025 programme also included Christmas carols. In 2023, a living nativity with a donkey and sheep was part of the programme; the tourist office’s 2026 page again announces live animals.

Mulled wine, trdelník and crafts

In 2025, the stalls served mulled wine, punch and cinnamon trdelník. On the craft side, the tourist office’s 2025 guide listed jewellery, Christmas decorations, ceramics and clothing; CzechTourism adds regional specialities.

Getting to the Plzeň Christmas market

A direct train links Prague and Plzeň, around 85 km apart as the crow flies. Check the journey time and timetables with the Czech railways before you book. The market is on náměstí Republiky, in the historic centre.

In 2025, the Pilsner Urquell brewery offered Advent tours on certain Thursdays and Saturdays. The same year, a first, smaller market was held over two December weekends at the Selský dvůr U Matoušů and on the village square of Bolevec, with paid entry. Nothing had been published for 2026 as of 8 October.

• The Prague Christmas market runs from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 on Old Town Square.
• The Olomouc Christmas market, the one Czechs search for most, has not yet published its 2026 dates.
• Our page of Christmas markets in the Czech Republic gathers every listing in the country.