List of All Czech Public Holidays
January 1st - Independent Czech State Restoration Day
Czech New Year begins with the Independent Czech State Restoration Day, a holiday that celebrates the amicable split of two formerly connected countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. On January 1st, Czechs do not work, and most local businesses are closed.
April 20th (2025), April 5th (2026) - Easter Day
As a Catholic holiday, Easter is celebrated on a different day each year. Usually, everything remains open and running on this day, except when Easter Day coincides with a Sunday, as it will in 2025. Easter markets are typically open on this day.
May 1st - Labor Day
Although this holiday is known as Labor Day, many Czechs associate it with love, thanks to a popular poem by the Czech Romantic author K.H. Mácha. Typically, everything remains open on this day.
May 8th - Liberation Day
May 8th marks the end of World War II, and most locals have the day off. Usually, memorial services and other events are held throughout Prague to honor one of the most tragic events in human history.
July 5th - Saints Cyrill and Methodius Day
This holiday commemorates the arrival of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Moravia and the symbolic beginning of Christianity.
July 6th - Jan Hus Day
Jan Hus, the most famous Czech martyr and a key figure in Czech history, was burned at the stake in July 1415. His death sparked a series of events known as the Hussite Wars, profoundly influencing Czech history and identity.
September 28th - Czech Statehood Day - St. Wenceslas Day
September 28th is a significant day in Czech history, celebrating both Saint Wenceslas, the patron saint of the Czech lands, and the founding of the Czech state.
October 28th - Czechoslovak Independence Day
As the name suggests, this is the day when the Czechoslovakian Republic was founded. Interestingly, this holiday is celebrated only in Czechia and not in Slovakia.
November 17th - Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day
November 17th is one of the most important dates in Czech history, marking the beginning of protests against the Communist Party in 1989. The march on this day has become an annual tradition. Typically, events are held at Národní třída (National Avenue), Albertov, and Wenceslas Square to commemorate this pivotal moment in Czech history.
December 24th - Christmas Eve
You might think you know enough about Christmas Eve, but bear in mind that December 24th is when the celebration dinner and gift-giving take place. As a result, everything shuts down after lunch or even earlier.
December 25th - Christmas Day
December 25th is a national holiday when the entire country is on vacation. Certain businesses in the city center remain open, though they are usually packed like sardine cans.
December 26th - St. Stephen’s Day
Similar to the previous day, December 26th is a bank holiday for the entire Czech Republic, but it’s a bit more "alive" than the previous two days when it comes to the opening hours of businesses.
December 31st - New Year’s Eve
A global holiday that needs no explanation, but if you’ve just landed on Earth and hidden your spaceship in some bushes, please note—this is the day when our planet begins counting down to the new year.
Author: Valeriia Zahradnikova and Vaclav Zahradnik, Prague guides certified by Prague City Tourism agency. Valeriia and Vaclav have worked in tourism for over 7 years and have guided thousands of Prague visitors.