Prague bans fireworks in 35 of its 57 city districts for New Year

Starting with the New Year 2027, uncontrolled fireworks will no longer be allowed in most of Prague's districts: city assembly deputies approved the ban on 18 June, and 15 more districts later joined it. According to the city, more than 1.1 million residents of Prague and their pets will now be protected from the blasts of firecrackers and rockets.

Where fireworks are banned completely

A year-round ban on uncontrolled fireworks now applies in 35 of Prague's 57 districts, home to the majority of the city's population. They include the central districts of Prague 1, 2, 3, 5–16, 20 and 22, as well as more than twenty smaller districts and villages on the city's outskirts. Fireworks are separately banned across the whole of Klánovice, home to a nature park.

Prague's most populous district, Prague 4, has not joined the ban despite appeals from deputies. However, the district council of Prague 12 — where Eva Týlová, the initiator of the ban, serves as a deputy — was persuaded, though the decision was only passed on the second attempt.

“It's like under communism”

According to Týlová, the mayor of one district said during the debate that the ban reminded him of “the communist era.” The deputy disagrees: protecting the rights of those in the minority — including people and animals sensitive to the noise of firecrackers — is one of the basic principles of democracy.

When and where fireworks are still allowed

Where there is no blanket ban, fireworks for New Year can only be used during a limited window — from 5 p.m. on 31 December to 2 a.m. on 1 January. At all other times, including the full daylight hours of 31 December and 1 January, Prague residents can safely go out with children and pets. Regardless of the district, fireworks remain banned near bodies of water, natural monuments and protected areas, and the new law also prohibits them within 250 metres of retirement homes, facilities for people with disabilities, livestock farms and veterinary clinics.

An interesting detail: the map of no-fireworks zones around livestock farms was drawn up for the relevant ministry using the register of beekeeping operations — so residents owe their quiet New Year partly to the bees. Meanwhile, the festival in Karlovy Vary has replaced its traditional fireworks display entirely with a drone light show this year, for the sake of peace for both people and animals in the spa town.

Also read: 8 best places to swim near Prague: lakes, quarries and beaches an hour's drive from the capital

Source: ekolist.cz