It is perhaps hard to imagine a capital with a more festive and solemn atmosphere than Prague. On New Year's Day, Paris, New York and other cities also dress in lights and tinsel, but only in the Czech capital medieval architecture, the good nature of the locals and the aromas of Christmas markets merge into a single, beautiful picture of a real holiday. The Czech Republic will give a perfect New Year's holiday to every tourist. Are you still in doubt and cannot decide where to spend your winter vacation? Definitely the best choice is Prague. Holidays for the New Year in the Czech capital will certainly be remembered for a long time.
Celebratory traditions of Czechs
A lot of interesting traditions and customs are connected with the New Year holidays in the Czech Republic. The joyful atmosphere begins on December 6, when the country celebrates its favorite children's holiday - St. Nicholas Day. On this date, kids receive sweet gifts for good behavior from dressed up Nikolai, who can be found on the street in the company of an angel and a little devil. After a week, Czechs celebrate St. Lucia's Day. Girls dress in white and scare the large wooden noses of passers-by if they do not treat them with sweets. Soon, the Christmas market begins , which means that very soon the New Year. In Prague, photos of December streets at such moments are simply magical - the city turns into a winter fairy tale.
Fair in the main square
All houses on the central streets are being transformed in honor of the upcoming holiday. But the main thing that all of Prague is waiting for on New Year's Eve is the opening of the festive fair on Old Town Square. This is an old tradition, carefully preserved even now. In cozy shops you can buy famous Czech souvenirs from Bohemian glass, holiday gifts, try local sweets, beer and smoked meats. Like hundreds of years ago, on pre-holiday days, street theater performances are played out on the main square, blacksmiths and other masters work here, old Czech songs are distributed. That is why Prague on New Year is so distinguished from other European capitals - this is a real journey into a fairy tale, immersion in another time, rest from familiar activities. Festive fir trees and small Christmas nativity scenes on the city streets reinforce the impression. The main nativity scene on the Old Town Square is so large that it contains real live sheep. In addition, on Christmas Eve barrels with live carps appear on the streets, without which no Czech can imagine a festive table.
An amazing feature that Prague boasts on New Year's Eve is that it always snows on holidays. Nature seems to be grateful to the Czechs, who have preserved all their ancient traditions untouchable. Therefore, the main evening of the outgoing year always takes place under a beautiful snowfall. Residents and tourists gather in the city center, drink their favorite drinks and make cherished desires on Charles Bridge, which must be fulfilled before the end of this year.