Advent Pilsen Guide
Christmas holidays are around the corner, and if this thought stresses you a bit, no worries. We have a few ideas how to slow down and enjoy the pre-Christmas season with calm and ease in Pilsen. Christmas lights are already shining in the Pilsen’s historical centre. You can get to the Christmas market on the central square through various streets. Each street is decorated a bit differently.
Christmas market
Christmas time would not be the same without the Christmas market in Pilsen. One of the most beautiful ones in the Czech Republic, which attracts even people from outside Pilsen every year, will enliven the Republic Square from Friday 22nd November. The traditional festive marketplace invites you to a winter fairy-tale-like stroll, and also to wandering around the decorated stalls with mulled wine, punch and other delicacies. For a moment, you can stop and just be in front of a large Nativity scene with wooden figures. If you look for the Baby Jesus in the carved crib at the beginning of the Christmas Market, you will not find him there yet. He will land on the scene several days before Christmas, on the early evening of 17th December. When walking around, don’t forget to make a stop at the Christmas bell tower, where you can ring the bell for fulfilling your most secret wishes. A true festive mood will be created every afternoon by live music that, of course, include Christmas songs. Christmas Market is held daily from 10 am to 8 pm. The beginning of evenings will be announced regularly at 5 pm and 6 pm by the powerful blowing of the horn of Pilsen night watchman.
Bonus tip: You will have a beautiful view of the decorated market stalls, including Christmas tree, from the tower of St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral. We recommend climbing there when it gets dark. The tower open until 6:30 pm, the last entrance is possible at 6 pm.
Lighting of Christmas trees
The greatest glory will take place on Pilsen’s historical square on the Advent Sunday. 16-metre-tall Christmas giant will reign supreme in full armour with garlands of lights and stars when clocks strikes 6 pm. You can experience the magical moment when all lights will be lit up and let you know that the Advent season is already here not only in the heart of the city, but also in other places. The Christmas tree will adorn other parts of Pilsen too, for example, it will flow once again on the surface of Borská přehrada (České Údolí reservoir) from Friday 29th November.
Bonus tip: When was the last time you went to the Pilsen Zoo during Advent? The ideal time for a December visit is of course anytime, however, the garden will be a bit more enchanting a few days before Christmas Eve. On the last Saturday of Advent, the farm Lüftnerka will be embellished with a Christmas tree, and as soon as the bulbs glitter in its branches at 3 pm, the air will be filled with tones of Christmas carols.
Take a ride on the Christmas tram
Once again, the Pilsen Christmas tram will go out into streets to spread joy. Locals are proud of it, and rightly so. Last year, it managed to defend the silver place in the poll for the prettiest Christmas tram again, even though its colleague had to substitute for it after an accident. The tram, familiarly called “vánočka” (the word Vánoce means Christmas in Czech), runs according to a special timetable. You can wait for it at one of the stops, or let yourself be surprised by where you come across it in Pilsen. A festive programme usually accompanies these rides around the city.
Ice-skating in Pilsen
You don’t have to wait until it’s freezing cold in Pilsen to go skating. You can engage in this favourite winter activity already now at the public skating. You will circle the ice in Pilsen’s ice rink in Bory, and experience the atmosphere of a frozen kingdom in the Ice Arena in Košutka. And maybe you will pull off some stunning figure skating tricks there.
What else you should not miss during this Advent?
- Saint Nicholas Show on Republic Square (5th December) – presents for small kids, a little scare for older ones. If you and your children want to dance, become a devil or an angel, or just experience shivers face to face with the Krampus parade, you couldn’t choose a better afternoon.
- Singing of Christmas carols on Republic Square (11th December, 18th December) – you can share the festive peace and the magic of Advent with others. For the collective singing of traditional and also modern carols, you will meet on two successive Wednesdays. The Czech band “Čechomor” will accompany you on singing from 6 pm on the first Wednesday, and you will sing together with Czech Radio (Český Rozhlas) between 3 pm and 6 pm during the second meeting.
- Pilsen Design and Christmas MINT Market in Pilsen (7th December – 8th December) – you will get an inspiration for original Christmas presents at the Pilsen design weekend that takes place at the same time as the market with Czech design products and the book fair BOOKFest. And what is more – you will slide down a real snow track there.
- Christmas concerts – concerts generous with Christmas songs will easily strike the right chord for the Christmas mood. In addition, the organ will sound in the majestic interior of Bartholomew’s Cathedral every Sunday from 3 pm, thanks to the musical performance named “Advent half hours”.
