Prague in January - 8 Things to Do
Luckily, hotel rates are as low as the temperatures and you can score deals saving more than 50% compared to summer rates. You will also find less tourists mucking around, meaning little or no lines for the most interesting ventures.
How to pack for January:
With high temperatures averaging 0 C (33 F) and low temperature around averaging -5 C (22 F), plan to bring heavier clothes:
• A warm and long cot or skiing jacket
• Boots or waterproof shoes
• Woolen socks
• Hat, gloves and a scarf
Prague has plenty of souvenirs shops selling those.
Find our list of events for February here.
Events in January
New Year’s Day
Prague normally holds its fireworks on New Year’s Day as it also celebrates the Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State. However, things have been a bit murky this year. The City of Prague cancelled 2020 fireworks and is planning a videomapping show on display at the Wenceslas Square.
Then, an independent and secret group came forward telling that the people of Prague will have their traditional fireworks show but are keeping its plans and location in secret to avoid action from the City Hall.
More details will be declassified in early December, until then, there is not much to say.
New Year’s Day Concerts
One of the traditional activities in Prague on the first day of the year is to attend a classical concert. Booking well in advance is essential as all performances always sell out.
The link below display all the concerts in the first week of the year in Prague
https://www.pragueexperience.com/opera-concerts/opera-concerts.asp?EventYear=2020&EventMonth=01
Three Kings Procession:
When: 5th of January 2020
Time: TBC, normally 15:00
Where: Starting from the Church of St Thomas, Malastrana
The three kings ride camels in Prague bringing presents to baby Jesus. The traditional parade which starts at the Church of St Thomas where the cardinal gives them his blessing, then they ride camels followed by pilgrims through the Charles Bridge finally arriving at the Old Town Square where they honor baby Jesus and give him three presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh. The events is then followed by the concert featuring the Czech Christmas Mass by Jakub Jan Ryba.
The symbolic gesture has deeper means besides closing Christmas in Prague, the parade is organized by charity Archdiocese of Prague and there will be boxes at the Old Town Square collecting toys, children’s books, school material and games to be given to families in need.
Prague State Opera Reopens
When: 9th of January 2020
Time: 19:00
Where: Prague State Opera, Wilsonova 4, Prague 1.
The historical and beautiful building stages its first opera in several years following extensive reconstruction.
The audience can look forward for the uplifting performance of Fidelio by Beethoven and the programme of opera and ballet by Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Rossini, Donizetti and Prokofiev.
Tickets vary from 750 CZK to 1290 CZK.
You can purchase tickets on https://www.ticketsonline.cz/payment.php
Jan Palach Day
When: 19th of January 2020
The young student who set himself on fire in protest at the on-going Soviet invasion of August 1968, subsequently died on the 19th of January 1969. Many Czech people make their way to the Memorial to the Victims of Communism near the National Museum at the Wenceslas Square to lay flowers or to light a candle in his memory.
James Arthur – Concert
When: 28th of January 2020
Time: 20:00
Ticket: 890 CZK
British singer and songwriter famous for his single “Impossible” and winner of the British show X Factor visits Prague to launch his new album “You”
Tickets https://www.ticketmaster.cz/artist/james-arthur-vstupenky/869470?language=en-us
Marionette – Don Giovanni
When: Almost daily in January
Where: National Marionette Theatre
Time: 20:00
Mozart composed “The Opera of Operas” Don Giovanni specially to show his admiration for Prague, where he personally conducted its world premiere in 1787 at the Estates Theatre.
Now, almost a daily unique marionette show is in display celebrating Mozart’s time and the atmosphere of this era in a form of an authentic 18th century spectacle. It a show for the WHOLE FAMILY, a brilliant way to introduce Opera and classical music to young audiences.
Tickets https://mozart.cz/Program?year=2020&month=1
Prague’s National Museum Exposition
The newly rebuilt Historical National Museum brings two major expositions in December
Tutankhamun Real Experience Exhibition (1st of November 2019 – 31st of January 2020)
Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00 daily
Entry fees: Adult 320 CZK / Senior & Child 270 CZK / Family 520 CZK
The famous Egyptian pharaoh through original artefacts as well as the latest multimedia technology.
The Kings of the Heaven (1st of November 2019 – 31st of January 2020)
Opening hours: 10:00 – 18:00 daily
Entre fees: Adult 260 CZK / Senior & Child 170 CZK / Family 440 CZK
Dedicated to the bravery of Czechoslovak pilots who joined and flew with the Royal Air Force during WWII.
- Ticket for Public Transport
- Free Water Bottle per guest
- Free Breakfast
And more.
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Written by Mauricio Schuler