Brno’s Christmas Magic: More Than Just Advent Markets
Christmas Markets in the Heart of Brno
Brno has many Christmas markets, with the ones located at the Green Market and Moravian Square beginning on Friday, 14 November. You can expect an opening ceremony featuring popular artists Sebastian and Slza. Other markets at Svoboda Square, Dominican Square, and the Old Town Hall will kick off a week later. The tree lighting ceremony on Liberty Square is scheduled for 21 November.
Special Christmas Events in Brno 2025
Christmas is meant to be a time of tranquility, but it can often turn into a bustling shopping spree. This year, for the first time, the planners are adding Roman Square to the Christmas festivities in Brno, where the Christmas Festival of Vices will start on 4 December.
Visitors can also expect a four-meter kite displayed on Czech Street, as well as a Christmas flask on Rašín Street. At the Green Market, there’s an opportunity to take a photograph with a giant tin can.
This year will also mark the debut of a Christmas screening on the Market Hall building at the Green Market. The iconic Merry Little Christmas Brno will guide you through the schedule of events and showcase Christmas trailers in a magical holiday setting.
Nearby, you can catch the Christmas Express train on Květinářská Street, which will take you on a tour of the festive city. It runs daily from 14 November to 31 December, operating from 10 AM to 8 PM, with tickets costing 180 CZK for adults and 80 CZK for children.
Views from the Old Town Hall Tower
Experience the joyful atmosphere of Christmas in the heart of the city along with the view of beautifully decorated streets from the Old Town Hall tower. This building is the oldest secular structure in Brno and features a permanent exhibition showcasing its history. You can enter the complex through an arched passage that features the legendary bent turret crafted by sculptor Anton Pilgram, known for his late Gothic style.
Within the passage, you will find reminders of famous legends, including the Ferris wheel and the Crocodile, or the Brno dragon, who will again be seen wearing a festive Christmas sweater. You can visit the tower daily in November from 12:00 to 19:00, extending to 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. In December, hours are Monday to Thursday from 14:00 to 20:00, Fridays from 12:00 to 22:00, Saturdays from 10:00 to 22:00, and Sundays from 10:00 to 20:00. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing. The entry fee is 90 CZK for adults and 50 CZK for children.
Christmas Tram and Festive Rides
The tram is not just Brno’s favorite mode of transport; it’s a beloved symbol of the festive season. The Christmas shalina is an icon, essential to the Brno holiday spirit. It’s the only vehicle that can navigate through the bustling crowds in the city center without causing any complaints. Its Advent transformation brings smiles and many people want to capture it in photos, not to mention taking a ride! The official timetable has yet to be announced. Young kids can look forward to the Christmas Shuttle, located in Dominican Square.
Light Displays: Light Park, Parnassus, and Light Trails
From November 12 2025 to January 11, 2026, enjoy the charm of winter evenings at a unique light park at Špilberk! Thousands of lights will transform the castle into a source of inspiration with themes of Brno’s history, medieval knights, and enduring legends. After sundown, join the fascinating story-themed walk, which takes you into the historical world of craftsmen, knights, and the ancient people of the castle. Each light display is set within the authentic surroundings of the castle’s courtyards, bastions, curtains, or even the well-known casemates, reflecting the rich history and traditions of the castle and Brno.
A delightful Christmas atmosphere will also be created at the Baroque Parnassus Fountain, one of the main attractions of the Green Market, which will be beautifully lit during the Christmas market season. You can also stroll down Bastion Street, featuring a new terrace adorned with lights and offering delicious food and beverages. This will be open for everyone from November 14 to December 31. The enchanting light trail this year is themed around Three Nuts for Cinderella.
Giant Wheel in Moravian Square
You can enjoy a unique experience on the 33-meter-high observation wheel, where you can look out over the rooftops of old Brno, spotting Liberty Square, Špilberk, Petrov, and other landmarks. Each illuminated cabin can hold 144 passengers at once. A ride costs 150 CZK (20 CZK less from Monday to Thursday) and lasts between five to ten minutes. The observation wheel will operate daily from November 14 to December 23, 2025, from 10 AM to 8 PM, with extended hours until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays if demand allows. The wheel moves at a leisurely pace of 3 to 3.5 miles per hour. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult to ride, and unfortunately, pets, including small dogs, are not allowed in the cabins for safety reasons.
Historical Water Reservoirs on Yellow Hill
A unique architectural landmark is the historical water reservoirs on Yellow Hill. With vaulted ceilings and grand windows that resemble a giant mouth, this is an extraordinary work created from burnt bricks. The impressive water reservoirs, nestled into Brno’s Žlutý Hill, might remind fantasy enthusiasts of Moria from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. You can visit this site by making a reservation at podzemibrno.cz, with various access times available throughout the year.
Advent Celebrations and Skiing at Villa Stiassni
Celebrating the Christmas season at Villa Stiassni has been a cherished tradition since the First Republic, even though the villa was built by a Jewish textile businessman. The Stiassni family always made sure to decorate a Christmas tree, which will also be part of this year’s festivities at the villa. Beneath it, gifts specially chosen for the family employees were traditionally hidden. Most of these presents were practical items or rare delicacies. Visits are welcome from November 28 to December 21 2025.
Straw Mountain, Children’s Village, and Glass Ornaments from the Astronomical Clock
Straw Mountain is a joyful hill filled with laughter, playfulness, and for the older crowd, a different kind of gathering. It’s a spot for sharing and camaraderie. The straw mountain is an essential part of Moravian Square, situated near Margrave Jost. From November 21 until the new year, 12 tons of straw will be available, which is regularly refreshed and reused.
Children’s Village at the Green Market spans an area of 600 m2 and is free for all. Children and adults can find plenty of fun activities here. In a styled barn, children can construct a tower or even a whole city using wooden blocks, practice their balance on wooden structures, and adults can sip on some punch while enjoying the unique ambiance. The village also features a bell tower with a wishing bell.
The quirky time machine found at the main square in Brno has a lovely gift for everyone this Christmas – glass ornaments with festive designs. This year’s decoration showcases a beautiful snowflake. These ornaments will be dropped around Brno from 22 November at 17:00 until 23 December at 11:00. One ornament will be dropped daily at 11 AM; additionally, thirteen ornaments will drop on Fridays and weekends from 11 AM to 11 PM.
The Christmas Ice Rink and Santa’s Post Office in Brno
The true Christmas ice rink can be found in Moravské náměstí park. Alongside the Parq café and the observation wheel, it creates a cozy space in the newly revamped park, allowing you to burn off the pre-holiday calories gained at the markets so you can indulge again! The elliptical-shaped rink, covering about 800 m2, can hold up to 120 skaters at once. So, lace up those skates and join us at Moravak! It will be open daily from November 24, 2025, to February 28, 2026, from 10 AM to 9 PM (please note that there will be breaks for ice maintenance), with tickets costing 140 CZK for adults and 70 CZK for children.
This year, Dominican Square will also feature a wooden box for letters to Santa Claus. You can find it at the top of the Christmas Market Square by St. Michael’s Church, along with wooden animals and a wishing bell. Make sure to come here with your wishes, as they are meant to come true during Brno Christmas. Plus, you can make a wish while listening to the ringing of the bell in the bell tower at Santa’s Post Office.
Last year, Brno proudly held the title of European Capital of Christmas 2024! Winning this prestigious competition is not only a recognition for the Christmas market organizers in Brno, TIC Brno and the Brno-Central district, but it also highlights the community spirit among all Brno citizens. The local aspects were especially appreciated by an international jury, as was the sense of connection to European values of Christmas. The European Capital of Christmas and the European City of Christmas title was started in 2017 and is now supported by the European Parliament. Other honored cities include Lüthych (Belgium), Genoa (Italy), San Sebastian (Spain), Valkenburg (Netherlands), and the most recent winner, Kiev (Ukraine).
