Ignite Your Advent Spirit at the Nativity Exhibitions

Folk Christmas in Polabí and Hlinsko

The open-air museum in Přerov nad Labem will host exciting events from 21 November to 28 December 2025. You’ll feel the spirit of Christmas as you walk through cottages that display scenes from our ancestors’ lives. Inside each building, you can explore traditional Advent and Christmas customs. You’ll see old-fashioned aprons, dragons, and hear about the Barbore and lucky traditions, alongside Christmas Eve divination practices. There will also be pre-Christmas markets. The Folk Christmas in Polabí features timeless folk and church nativity scenes, as well as a growing collection of modern-day nativity scenes made from various materials. A unique highlight of the exhibition is a large assortment of paper cut-out nativity scenes and Christmas cards. Additional displays include both old and new Christmas decorations, tips for making festive decorations, and ideas for small gifts.

Christmas nativity scene in Hlinsko

Bethlehem in Hlinsko opens its doors from 10 December to 10 January 2026 for the traditional Christmas nativity scene exhibition. Look forward to beautifully decorated log cabins that recreate the magic of Advent and Christmas customs from the mid-1800s to the 1940s. The exhibition features notable Nativity scenes created by folk artists from the museum’s collection. One of the main attractions is a stunning mechanical nativity scene with various craftsmen, carved by Mr. Rudolf Frinta from Nové Město nad Metují half a century ago. You’ll also find the fascinating Passion nativity scene and other nativity displays made from wood and straw. A charming souvenir shop located in a timbered house offers handmade products crafted by local artisans.

Bethlehem made of butter in Máslovice

Come visit the real butter nativity scene! This unique butter nativity scene will be featured at the Butter Museum from 30 November 2025 until 25 January 2026. You can see the nativity scene every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., while weekdays require an appointment. The display includes some familiar figures, but new additions often appear, making each visit a different experience. To keep the work fresh, it’s refrigerated until January. The museum also exhibits a variety of butter-related items, including printed materials, molds, packaging, milk containers, beaters, butter churns, and even a small makeshift barn.

Glass nativity scene in Kryštofovo Údolí

In the charming village of Kryštofovo Údolí, located in the Liberec region, visitors can enjoy a variety of activities throughout the year. Even before Christmas, this village becomes especially inviting, as the tradition of making nativity scenes has flourished here for over 150 years. A dedicated exhibition can be found on the first floor of the U Kryštofa Inn, showcasing more than ninety nativity scenes. This year’s highlight is a new, handmade and illuminated nativity scene by talented glassmakers Karel and Eva Urban, known as Urban Glass. This display features original glass figurines, decorations, and cribs that are cherished both locally and internationally. The craftsmanship is evident in each piece, as every figure and detail is carefully hand-shaped with precision and artistic vision. The Nativity scenes in Kryštofovo Údolí exhibition will officially open on 29 November at 3:15 p.m.

Permanent expositions of nativity scenes in Karlštejn, Třebechovice, Horní Lidec or Loštice

At the Karlštejn Nativity Museum, you can explore a collection of vintage Czech nativity scenes carefully carved from wood, as well as crèches crafted from rare materials, including sugar or bread. One of the biggest attractions is the Karlštejn Royal Nativity Scene, which is the largest puppet nativity scene featuring figures of ten prominent Czech rulers.

The Museum of Nativity Scenes in Třebechovice pod Orebem offers a stunning collection of over 400 nativity scenes made from various materials, reflecting artistry from all corners of the Czech Republic, from ancient to modern works. Notably, the local Probošt nativity scene is the only one in the country designated a national cultural monument.

In the Vsetín region, the mechanical nativity scene in Horní Lidec showcases captivating historical events, traditions, and unique crafts from the Czech-Slovak border. This crib features over 230 figures, 75 of which are movable, along with more than 100 carved structures. You can also see wood carvings representing various significant places in the Zlín and Trenčín regions, such as Hostýn, Velehrad, Buchlov Castle, Buchlovice Castle, and more. The crib also includes representations of wooden buildings from Horní Lidec. Over in Central Moravia, particularly in Loštice, known for its tvarůžky cheese, you can find the carver’s workshop of Jaroslav Beneš. His renowned works include an intricate movable nativity scene currently featuring 300 figures. Alongside traditional biblical characters, the display features real inhabitants of the area. This continuously evolving nativity scene, which Jaroslav has been crafting since 1994, operates with moving parts that alternate between night and day, adding sound effects. For instance, a neighbor’s rooster lends its voice to the rooster figure.

Nativity scenes in Prague churches

A wonderful way to celebrate Advent is by visiting one of the churches in Prague, where you can see traditional nativity scenes displayed each year. Some appear as early as December 1, while others unveil just in time for Christmas. Starting from December 24, 2025, you can visit the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul in Vyšehrad to admire a beautiful nativity scene from the 19th century. This scene will be displayed without the Baby Jesus until December 24th, after which it will include the Baby Jesus until 8 January 2026. The Church of Our Lady of Victory (Prague Jesuit Church) features a permanent exhibition showcasing nativity scenes from around the world, including Central and South America, Canada, and the Philippines. There will also be a special appearance of the Baby Jesus dressed in a white Christmas outfit. Noteworthy spots for viewing nativity scenes during Christmas include the Church of St. Matthias in Dejvice, known for its gingerbread nativity scene. The Church of St. Ignatius on Ječná Street boasts a remarkable carved nativity scene created between 1949 and 1954 by František Charvát, a talented sculptor and carver from the Art Factory for Church and Decorative Works in Kutná Hora. This impressive Great Manger represents the pinnacle of the Bethlehem creations from that factory.