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 Market
Christmas time would not be the same without the Christmas market in Pilsen. One of the most the beautiful ones in Czechia attracts even people from outside Pilsen and the entire country every year. And who would be surprised? From 22nd November to 23rd December, Republic Square will turn into a winter wonderland, where you can enjoy fragrant mulled wine, punch, cinnamon “trdelník”, sausages, gingerbreads, potato pancakes, and many other delicacies at magically decorated stalls. Whether you’re shopping in advance or at the last minute, you will also find Christmas presents here, such as long-lasting treats or handcrafted items, from jewellery to ceramics to clothing and beautiful Christmas decorations.
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. Traditional 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: Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see the Christmas Market from a bird’s eye view? In Pilsen, you can have a beautiful view of the decorated stalls from two places, and both are worth a visit. When it gets dark, take a ride on the giant Ferris wheel or climb the tower of St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, the dominant sight of Republic square. Its tower is open until 6:30 pm, the last entrance is possible at 6 pm.
Other Advent markets: More intimate but no less charming markets will fill Bolevecká náves and the Old Farmhouse “U Matoušů”. This unique cultural monument, which will transport you from the city to the countryside, is located just a few tram stops from the centre of Pilsen. This market is open on the weekends of 6th and 7th December and 13th and 14th December, always from 10 am to 6 pm. Please note that there is a 60 CZK entrance fee, but it is free for children under the age of 15. You will also find a row of Christmas stalls in Smetanovy sady Park. Here, you can as well enjoy mulled wine or a bite to eat and then go for a pleasant Christmas walk around the city parks, where you can notice, for example, the beautifully renovated facade of the Museum of West Bohemia, or walk all the way with a warming drink to Pilsen’s Venice, Mlýnská strouha.
Lighting of Christmas Trees
The grandest event will take place on Pilsen’s historical square on the first Sunday of Advent. A 14-metre-tall Christmas giant decorated with garlands of lights and starts will reign over the city centre when clocks strikes 6 pm. This special moment will be followed by a concert by singer Monika Bagárová. The festive lighting ceremony will be accompanied from 4 pm by several artistic performances and a short programme by the Ethnographic Museum of the Pilsen Region.
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. 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 28th November. The festive ceremony will feature a rich musical programme that will delight you with a combination of carols, classical music, and modern Czech and foreign songs. Feel like singing along, even if you don’t know the words? Go ahead, because Christmas is all about joy and a holly jolly mood.
Ice Skating in Pilsen
Leave everything behind and catch the Christmas spirit on your skates! You can go ice skating indoors at the Pilsen Ice Rink and the Ice Arena, but now you can also visit the outdoor ice rink at the Škoda Sports Park. It will be open until February next year. Throughout Advent, you will have plenty of opportunities to put the often hectic Christmas preparations aside and instead enjoy the freedom and joy of movement that this winter activity brings. Just give it a try, a few laps on the ice rink, and this season suddenly seem even more magical. You can also celebrate New Year’s Eve here.
Christmas Shopping? A Piece of Cake in Pilsen
If you would like to give original gifts under the tree this year that will bring joy even after many years and have been created by the loving and skilled hands of regional producers, don’t miss these events in Pilsen besides the Christmas Market:
- Pilsen Design (6th – 7th December ) – get to know the world of design and craft productin and, in the spirit of the “Design on the Road” title, take a closer look at the well-designed camper vans and all kinds of design gadgets that every traveler needs when exploring the world. The event also includes a number of lectures, workshops, and competitions.
- Christmas MINT Market (6th – 7th December) – local fashion, jewelry, cosmetics, and other goods will be offered by nearly sixty designers from all over the country. Endless Christmas inspiration guaranteed! When you get hungry, visit the food stalls in the courtyard of the culture zone DEPO2015, where the small Advent street food festival will be held for the first time.
- Sutnarka Market (17th – 19th December) – the art fair featuring works by students of the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. Whatever you choose from the young artists at the Gallery of Ladislav Sutnar, you can be sure that such a gift is truly one of a kind. Don’t hesitate to chat with the talented students and hear how their original ceramics, jewellery, books, comics, illustrations, home accessories, and much more were created.
Bonus tip: The tourist information centre Visit Pilsen on Republic Square also provides a varied Christmas gift selection for visitors of all ages. Stop by and see for yourself that you can quickly solve your search for a perfect present for the whole family and yourself. Why not treat yourself to something that will make you fall even more in love with Pilsen? We are totally for it! The information centre is open daily, from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, and on Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm.
