Discover the Zoo or Explore the Fortress!

In Český Krumlov, everyone knows that bears celebrate Christmas in the moat of the castle. You can give them gifts like cakes, cookies, Christmas treats, apples, and other fruits, vegetables, candies, or honey. Then you can enjoy watching them eat, which begins at 10 a.m. on Christmas Eve. The festive mood is increased by singing carols together in the castle courtyard. Children can bring all the gifts (including cakes, cookies, Christmas treats, apples, fruits, vegetables, candies, and honey) to the second courtyard of the castle. A bear keeper watches over everything to ensure that the bears only receive safe treats.

Christmas Eve at the Zoo

CMost zoos are open every day of the year and have special programs just for Christmas Eve. At the Pilsen Zoo, families look forward to the guided feeding event on Christmas Eve, kicking off at 10 a.m. Visitors at Děčín Zoo can enjoy free admission as a thank you for their support throughout the year. The zoo will be welcoming guests from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on this day.

Zoo Liberec has a voluntary fee on Christmas Eve, inviting visitors to bring items like balls, ropes, wicker baskets, clean plastic barrels, fresh branches, or treats such as nuts to improve the animals’ holiday. At Zoo Prague, visitors can enjoy guided feeding sessions from 10:00 to 13:30. In the Zoo in Ústí nad Labem, you’ll see local animals receive Christmas gifts during a special feeding event. The Hluboká Zoo also hosts Christmas Eve celebrations where visitors can enjoy animal feeding from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. while waiting for Santa.

Christmas Eve at a Fortress or Monastery

If you’re not keen on animals and prefer a more traditional experience, Josefov Fortress will be open on Christmas Eve. Here, families can participate in games underground, enjoy workshops in the casemates, or try shooting at the gallery. You can also join two guided tours with guides dressed in historical uniforms.

On Christmas Eve, you can also visit the monastery in Broumov, which offers Christmas tours on all festive days, including December 24. Don’t miss the chance to see the stunning historical interiors of this national cultural treasure.

Christmas Eve Museum Night in Pardubice

A unique event is scheduled for Christmas in the gingerbread city; Christmas Eve walk in Pardubice has been a tradition since 1998 and is unlike any other in the Czech Republic. You can expect to enjoy the Czech Christmas Mass by J. J. Ryba sung on the square at 11 p.m., as well as Christmas Eve Museum Night at the castle, where the Museum of East Bohemia will be open from 9:30 p.m. until midnight. Make sure to catch this festive atmosphere! Remember to bring your musical instruments; the stage is yours again! There will be plenty of Christmas carols and gifts under the tree too…

Prague’s “Staromák” will be Filled with the Aroma of Fish Soup, Leading Up to Midnight at the Castle

Stirring up the Christmas Fish Soup at Old Town Square has become a cherished tradition that will continue this year. Don’t miss visiting the largest Christmas market in the Czech Republic! Warm yourself up with a bowl of fish soup available from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. You can also return later at 9:00 p.m. to soak in the enchanting atmosphere of Christmas Eve with the Fish’s Christmas Mass.

Later in the evening, you have the chance to attend the Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of St. Vitus, Wenceslas, and Vojtech at Prague Castle, celebrated by Archbishop Jan Graubner. You can enter 30 minutes early.

Midnight Mass at Christmas Eve and other services in English, Italian, and, of course, Czech will also be offered by the Prague Baroque Church of Our Lady of Victory with the famous Prague Jesuits.