Czech shops on Nov. 17: what is open and what is closed?

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, large stores in Czechia will not close: hypermarkets, shopping centers and hobby markets will keep their regular hours. The Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day holiday is not among the dates covered by the sales ban.

Why large stores are open

The law on store opening hours, which applies to shops with a sales area of more than 200 square meters, divides public holidays into “major” and “minor” ones. The rule has been in force in Czechia for ten years. Nov. 17 is a minor holiday, so, unlike Oct. 28, there is no ban on trading.

According to Markéta Smutná, corporate communications manager at Penny, the chain sees being able to open on this day as part of its strategy of staying close to customers: people in the regions do not have to stock up on groceries in advance. Billa, according to external communications manager Petr Kubíček, will also welcome customers as usual across the country. Changes to Billa's operations are expected only during the Christmas period.

What about small shops, and when is the next long weekend

Small shops are usually closed on public holidays or cut their hours. For example, Coop stores in small communities typically open for only a few hours in the morning.

If you take Monday, Nov. 16, off, you can spend four days in a row at home. Czechs last had a long weekend in September, when Czech Statehood Day (Sept. 28) fell on a Monday. The next days off come only in December: Christmas begins on Thursday, Dec. 24, and ends on Saturday, Dec. 26. To stay home for nine days, you will need to take three days of leave. On Christmas Eve, shops must close from noon, and that continues through Dec. 26; they reopen on Sunday, Dec. 27.

Around Prague guide on the topic: Christmas Eve and Christmas in Prague 2026: what is open on Dec. 24–26 — shops, Prague Castle, museums, transport, markets and restaurants

Around Prague, based on reporting by denik.cz