Public Holidays in the Czech Republic

A list of public holidays in the Czech Republic to help you plan your vacation in the best possible way. When planning a holiday or a city trip to the Czech Republic and Prague, you may or may not want to include public holidays. National holidays mean that Czech themselves travel more in their country and transport, museums and attraction are more crowded.
If your trip is during the peak season, you are sure to see higher prices and more tourists. On the other hand museums and other sights stay open longer. Flights and accommodation during public holidays are often more expensive. 
The front of Prague trams are adorned with small flags on national holidays

Official Public Holidays in Prague and the Czech Republic

1 January: New Year’s Day and Czech Independence Day. On 1 January 1993, the independent Czech Republic was created and Czechoslovakia ceased to exist.

March / April: Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

1 May: May Day, marks the beginning of spring, opening of Prague’s parks and the beginning of the summer concerts.

8 May: Liberation Day commemorates the liberation from Germany in 1945, wreaths are laid on the graves of soldiers at Olsany cemetaries.

25 June: Day of the Departure of the Occupying Forces (Den odchodu okupačních vojsk) the end of all occupations experienced by the Czech people.

27 May: Day of the National Resistance (Den národního vzdoru) recalls Operation Anthropoid, which aimed to eliminate Reinhard Heydrich. More about operation Anthropoid.

5 July: St Cyril and Methodius Day. These two missionaries Cyril and Methodius are associated with the introduction of Christianity in the ninth century.

6 July: Jan Hus Day commemorates the burning of Jan Hus at the stake in 1415 as a heretic. Jan Hus was a religious leader and the dean of Charles University.

28 September: Day of Czech Statehood. This was the day in 935 when the Czech Prince Wenceslas was murdered by his own brother. Soon after his death he was beatified and became the country’s patron saint.

28 October: Independence Day marks the creation Czechoslovakia 1918. Every year Smetana’s opera Libuše is performed in the National Theater in Prague. The opera tells the mythical story of the Czech princess Libuše who prophesied glory for the Czech nation.

17 November: Democracy Day commemorates the resistance against Nazi occupation in 1939 and the Velvet Revolution of 1989. Commemorations take place at Wenceslas Square.

24 December: Christmas Eve.

25 December: Christmas Day.

26 December: St. Stephen’s Day / Boxing Day

Opening hours of shops during national holidays

Since 2017, a law has been in force that shops larger than 200 square meters must be closed on

* New Year’s Day (January 1)
* Easter Monday
* Liberation Day (May 8)
* Day of Czech Statehood (September 28)
* Independence Day (October 28)
* Christmas Eve (24 December)
* Christmas Day (December 25)
* Boxing Day (December 26)

Shops smaller than 200 square meters, at petrol stations, pharmacies, shops at airports, train stations and hospitals are open on the above days.

Opening hours of shops in general

The major shopping centres and shops in the centre are open 7 days a week.
Convenience stores and other shops in residential areas are often closed on Saturdays.

Shopping centres are open from 08.00 or 09.00 to 20.00 or 21.00 or 22.00.
Small shops are open from 07.00 or 08.00 to 18.00 or 19.00, convenience stores often until 22.00 or 23.00

Best Time for a City Trip

The best months for a visit are May, June and September. But if you like snow, freezing temperatures and Christmas markets, December is your month. More about weather and event in Prague

Hotels often set low, mid and high season for the following dates:
Low Season – 3 January to 29 March and 4 November to 27 December Mid Season – 29 March – 4 November
High Season – 27 December to 3 January

Services on Public Holidays

Banks, offices and small shops outside the historic center are closed on public holidays. Most shopping malls are open every day, but are closed on Easter Monday and Christmas Eve. Most museums are closed on Monday. Banks that have branches in main railway stations and airports are open during bank holidays. Public transport runs less frequent than during weekdays. Many shops outside Prague and in rural areas are closed on every Saturday afternoon, Sunday and all public holidays. Most restaurants and pubs are open as are the top attractions like zoos and museums.

Photos Marianne Crone