Czech Christmas Traditions in a Nutshell
Are you wondering what a traditional Christmas looks like in Czechia? Let’s take a look at some of the typical things that you might come across when spending holidays in this country – and preferably in Pilsen, which has a lot to offer during this Christmas season.
Baby Jesus or Santa Claus?
While Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) brings presents in many countries, this magical task belongs solely to “Ježíšek” – Baby Jesus in Czechia. He knocks on the window on Christmas Eve (24th December), so Czech children receive the gifts under the Christmas tree a day earlier than on Christmas Day. It is also quite common to write a letter to Ježíšek, where children can describe what they most want to unwrap on this special occasion. Whereas we have a pretty clear idea of what Santa Claus looks like, Ježíšek is shrouded in a bit of mystery. How and which way does he carry the presents, and how does he manage to deliver them to all children? Does he really look like a little baby, or does he grow stronger every year to carry such number of express Christmas packages? These questions only add to the magic of the tradition.
In recent years, Christmas decorations have featured both Baby Jesus and the bearded Santa Claus climbing down chimneys with a sack of gifts. For many, red Christmas hats are as much a part of the holidays as potato salad and Czech fairy tales, which are a symbol of Christmas warmth and peace.
You probably know one of the most famous one – Three Wishes for Cinderella (Tři oříšky pro Popelku), which portrays not only a battle between good and evil, but also an ideal picture of a winter wonderland.
Bonus tip: You can send your Christmas wishes to Ježíšek from the Pilsen City Hall, where the Christmas post office will be open from 1st December to 23rd December, including a magical letterbox and special Christmas stamps.
Nativity Scenes
Baby Jesus can be often found in Christian Nativity scenes (“betlémy”) with the Holy Family, Mary and Joseph. One of the Nativity scenes can be seen on Republic Square during the Christmas Market. Their production (known as “betlémářství”) is an important part of national cultural heritage, and nativity scenes, whether made of wood, paper, glass, or even gingerbreads, appear in decorated homes alongside lights and Christmas trees. Every Sunday of Advent, one of the four candles on the Advent wreath is lit to count the number of Advent weeks and time remaining to Christmas.
Bonus tip: If you want to see Nativity scenes and their fragments in different interesting variations, visit the exhibition at the Museum of West Bohemia in Pilsen. On 27th December, Nativity Scene Night, you can admire lovely scenes of the birth of Jesus in a magical evening atmosphere until 8 pm. A smaller collection of Nativity scenes is also on display in the permanent exhibition of the Ethnographic Museum of the Pilsen Region.
Czech Christmas Traditions
If you visit someone’s home for Christmas, you may experience traditional Christmas customs widely followed in Czechia, such as cutting an apple to reveal the star inside, pouring molten lead, floating walnut-shell boats in a bowl, or throwing a shoe. Usually, they predict your future and reveal whether luck and health will be on your side next year or whether bad luck will be your closest companion. If the result is not what you expected, we recommend trying the customs again! Burning Christmas incense, known as purpura, or the so-called “františek” (a small incense cone) also belongs to favourite activities during holidays. And of course – singing Christmas carols! Which of the Czech ones do you know?
Bonus tip: Have you heard about the Peace Light of Bethlehem? This symbol of peace, harmony and unity is distributed from the birthplace of Jesus across Europe by volunteer Scouts. You can light your candle from its flame also in Pilsen, for example, at the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral from 23rd December (2 pm – 6 pm) to 24th December (9 am – 5 pm).
Czech Christmas Dishes
And what is served on Christmas Eve? A lot of families swear by the traditional meal: fried carp and potato salad. Interestingly, there is no single kind of potato salad, but many variations with different ingredients. Of course, everyone claims that their version is the best! Fish soup often accompanies the carp. For good luck and financial prosperity, you can hide a carp scale under the plate, and then carry it in the wallet. Those who do not like carp meat replace it with other types of fish or a classic schnitzel. Another must on the table is vánočka (braided Christmas bread with raisins and almonds) and “cukroví” – various homemade cookies, from gingerbread to Linzer cookies. These are baked in advance so that they taste “just right” for the Christmas holidays. The festive Christmas Eve dinner is preceded by a simpler meal, such as “kuba” made with groats and mushrooms. Often – and this is tough one – fasting is observed, or at least meat is omitted until the dinner. It is said that maybe you will see a mythical creature – a golden pig!
Bonus tip: You can taste a classic menu full of Czech Christmas delicacies in a number of Pilsen restaurants. Check out the Gastro section to find places you can visit before or during the holidays.
