Czech Christmas Markets 2026 Outside Prague: Dates and Trains
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Outside Prague, Christmas markets in Czechia in 2026 open between 13 and 29 November and mostly close on 23 December; Budweis (to 6 January), Český Krumlov (to 3 January) and Karlovy Vary (to 1 January) run longer. Brno starts on 13 November, while Kutná Hora and Tábor hold only a few market days. By train from Prague it is 1 h 23 min to Plzeň, 51 min to Kutná Hora and 2 h 36 min to Brno. Around Prague checked dates and hours on 9 November 2026 on the official websites of the cities, the organisers and CzechTourism, and the trains in the IDOS timetable. Only Ostrava and Kutná Hora have published daily opening hours so far.
Christmas markets in Czech towns outside Prague 2026: overview
| City | 2026 dates | Hours | Train from Prague (fastest, Sat 5 Dec) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brno | 13 Nov–31 Dec Zelný trh, Moravské nám.; náměstí Svobody from 27 Nov | not published | 2 h 36 min, direct |
| Olomouc | 20 Nov–23 Dec (CzechTourism); city says only "end of November to early January" | not published | 2 h 19 min, direct |
| Ostrava | Stalls 21 Nov–23 Dec; rink 28 Nov–1 Jan; wheel 21 Nov–4 Jan | Stalls 10:00–20:00, food to 21:00 | 3 h 28 min, direct |
| Český Krumlov | 21 Nov–3 Jan 2027; tree 29 Nov, 16:30 | not published | 2 h 28 min, direct |
| Plzeň | 21 Nov–23 Dec (CzechTourism) | not published | 1 h 23 min, direct |
| České Budějovice | 18 Nov–6 Jan 2027; town hall courtyard 14–19 Dec | not published | 1 h 38 min, direct |
| Karlovy Vary | 29 Nov–1 Jan 2027 (programme text says 6 Jan) | not published | 3 h 30 min, direct |
| Liberec | Soukenné nám. 20 Nov–23 Dec; town hall 26 Nov–23 Dec | not published | 2 h 33 min, 1 change |
| Cheb | 28 Nov–26 Dec (organiser); rink to 3 Jan | not published | 2 h 51 min, direct |
| Kutná Hora | 5, 12 and 19 Dec only, Palackého nám. | 12:00–21:00, music from 15:00 | 51 min, direct |
| Tábor | 12–13 Dec, Žižkovo nám. (CzechTourism only) | not published | 1 h 12 min, direct |
| Telč | 2026 programme not published | not published | 3 h 25 min, 1 change |
Journey times: IDOS, checked on 9 November 2026 for Saturday 5 December (departures from Praha hl.n. after 7:00). For Prague itself see our guide to Prague Christmas markets 2026.
Moravia: Brno, Olomouc, Ostrava
Brno. "Vánoce Brno" is spread over several squares. Zelný trh (the Cabbage Market) has about 125 stalls around the lit Parnas fountain, a children's village and a daily stage programme. Moravské náměstí has a 33 m observation wheel and an ice rink with skate hire. náměstí Svobody has stalls and a tree, and Dominikánské náměstí a carved nativity scene. The trees are lit on Friday 27 November: at 18:00 on Zelný trh and at 18:45 at "U Jošta". The organiser publishes no general opening hours, only times of single events; the nativity in the town hall courtyard (Dominikánská 2) is open daily 8:00–20:00. See Brno: what to see.
Olomouc has not published its 2026 programme. On 19 May the city said that Kulturní Olomouc will run the markets on Horní and Dolní náměstí "from the end of November to the beginning of January". CzechTourism lists 20 November to 23 December. According to the city (5 November) the Horní náměstí tree is a silver spruce from Paseka, and a project called "Led & Fest Tržnice" is announced, without dates. See Olomouc day trip.
Ostrava is the only city here with detailed hours. Stalls: 21 November to 23 December, daily from 10:00, gift stalls until 20:00, food and drink until 21:00. Ice rink on náměstí Dr. Edvarda Beneše: 28 November to 1 January, 10:00–20:00, free entry, skates 100 CZK a pair (500 CZK deposit). Observation wheel: 21 November to 4 January, 12:00–20:00. The opening ceremony is on Saturday 28 November at 18:00 on the main stage on Masarykovo náměstí; more stages are on Jiráskovo and Prokešovo náměstí.
South Bohemia: Český Krumlov, Budweis, Tábor
Český Krumlov. The market on náměstí Svornosti runs from 21 November to 3 January 2027; the town gives 6 January as the end of the whole Advent programme. The tree is lit on Sunday 29 November at 16:30 (with the duo GLOW), and the live nativity is announced for 23 December. The organiser (the local tourism association) has not published stall hours. The train is direct, but the last return on the evening of 5 December changes at České Budějovice (18:57, 3 h 13 min): tight for one day, so consider staying overnight. See Český Krumlov day trip.
České Budějovice (Budweis). The market fills the huge náměstí Přemysla Otakara II. from 18 November to 6 January 2027, with a second one in the town hall courtyard on 14–19 December. No 2026 hours yet. See Budweis day trip.
Tábor. Only an "Old Bohemian Christmas market" on 12 and 13 December on Žižkovo náměstí. This comes from CzechTourism; on 9 November visittabor.eu showed no date or hours.
West Bohemia: Plzeň, Karlovy Vary, Cheb
Plzeň (Pilsen). The market on náměstí Republiky runs from 21 November to 23 December (CzechTourism), with carols, a tree lighting and a living nativity (no dates yet). It combines well with the Pilsner Urquell brewery tour.
Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). The city gives 29 November 2026 to 1 January 2027 for "Christmas in Karlovy Vary", but 6 January in the programme text. The main market is at the Mill Colonnade (Mlýnská kolonáda), a smaller one in Dvořák Park. The tree by the Thermal Hotel is lit on the first Advent Sunday, 29 November. See Karlovy Vary day trip.
Cheb. According to the organiser (chebskevanoce.cz) the market on náměstí Krále Jiřího z Poděbrad runs from 28 November to 26 December; CzechTourism says 23 December. The rink is open until 3 January 2027 and a lantern procession is on 17 December. See Cheb day trip.
Kutná Hora, Liberec, Telč
Kutná Hora has no permanent market but Advent days on 5, 12 and 19 December on Palackého náměstí, 12:00–21:00, music from 15:00, free entry (kudyznudy.cz, organised by the town). CzechTourism lists an Advent programme at the Italian Court on 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December. Combine with a Kutná Hora day trip.
Liberec. According to visitliberec.eu (article of 2 November): Soukenné náměstí 20 November to 23 December, in front of the town hall 26 November to 23 December, Advent at Liebieg Palace 29 November to 21 December, Advent wheel 22 November to 23 December and 25 to 28 December. See Liberec and Ještěd.
Telč. On 9 November 2026 neither telc.eu nor the CzechTourism list shows an Advent market. Also listed by CzechTourism, not checked on the city sites: Znojmo (29 Nov–31 Dec, guide) and Jihlava (29 Nov–31 Dec).
Getting there and back
Evening trains to Prague on 5 December: Brno 17:46 (2 h 37 min), Olomouc 17:56 (2 h 22 min), České Budějovice 17:58 (1 h 41 min), Plzeň 18:00 (1 h 21 min), Cheb 18:33 (2 h 49 min), Karlovy Vary 18:57 (3 h 28 min). Buy tickets from České dráhy or the private operator and check times on idos.cz. The annual timetable changes in December. If you arrive from abroad, direct trains run from Dresden to Liberec (2 h 5 min), from Nuremberg to Cheb (1 h 46 min) and from Vienna to Brno (1 h 31 min); see trains to Prague.
Christmas markets outside Prague (FAQ)
Which Czech Christmas market outside Prague is best for a day trip?
Plzeň (1 h 23 min), České Budějovice or Brno. Kutná Hora takes 51 min but has markets only on 5, 12 and 19 December. Český Krumlov is better with an overnight stay.
When do the Brno Christmas markets start in 2026?
The "Vánoce Brno" programme starts on 13 November, the trees are lit on 27 November, and the programme runs to 31 December.
How long does the Český Krumlov Christmas market run?
The town gives 21 November to 3 January 2027 for the market; the whole Advent programme ends on 6 January.
Is there a Christmas market in Karlovy Vary in 2026?
Yes, at the Mill Colonnade from 29 November. The city gives two end dates, 1 and 6 January. Opening hours are not published.
Sources: Vánoce Brno, Brno programme, City of Olomouc, Ostravské Vánoce, Český Krumlov (ckrumlov.info), Krumlov tree lighting, City of Karlovy Vary, Chebské Vánoce, Visit Liberec, Kutná Hora (kudyznudy.cz), CzechTourism, Telč, Tábor, IDOS. Checked on 9 November 2026; programmes may change before the opening.
See also: Prague Christmas markets 2026, 9 Christmas markets in Prague and Czechia, Christmas markets in Prague and Czechia: Top 12, Advent in Prague 2026, Prague tours, 8 most beautiful towns in Czechia.
Photo: Christmas tree and the Black Tower in České Budějovice. Jana Sekyrová, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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