How to spend New Year’s Eve in Prague

Only a few days from now and another year will have passed! The bad news is that you might have not fulfilled all of your resolutions from last year. The good news is, you get to set some new ones already! But how and where should you spend this year’s New Year’s Eve when in Prague? We made it our goal to help you finding your perfect NYE’s experience in the Czech Capital!

Fireworks & Magnificent Views: Letná, Riegrovy Sady or Vítkov Hill

First things first: You definitely should not miss out on Prague’s Firework Show. Especially not this year, when the show’s dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution! Spectacle views and unforgettable memories guaranteed! The best part about the fireworks? You will be able to see them from loads of different places, so you can escape the crowd, if you wanna celebrate a bit more privately!

The official fireworks traditionally start at 6 pm in Letná area on January 1st. Luckily, Prague is full of bridges and higher up places to spy upon the phenomenon: Whether you will be marveling from Letná, Petrin Hill or any of the bridges along the Old Town; you will get to see the show from all of them. The unofficial fireworks – mainly pyrofans that want to welcome the New Year a tat earlier – start in the evening and can be seen all around the city.

The whole spectacle will take around 11 minutes – but hey, that is more than enough to pop the cork of your champagne and cheer with friends and those to be! A wonderful experience to be had if you are celebrating in Prague for the first time.

What’s especially to look forward to this year: The show will be accompanied by music by the Rolling Stones, the Beatles and many more.

When: Tuesday, 1st January 2019, 18.00 (official Fireworks)
Where: Letenské sady, 170 00 Prague 7
Viewpoints: Letná, Petříin Hill, Dvořákovo Nábřeží, Legion Bridge, Charles Bridge, Čechův Most, Manes Bridge

New Year’s Eve with Mozart: Gala, Dinner & Concert

For all the classical music lovers, the Estates Theater holds a special New Year’s Eve celebration. Roll into the new year with Mozart! Well, not him personally – but his legacy. Czechs are extraordinarily interested in culture and music. This even more so thanks to the government making plays, concerts and co. affordable for the general public. With several Theaters and Music Halls around the city, there is no day in the year where you could not experience a phenomenal play or a concert by the Philharmonic!

Especially on New Year’s Eve, the Estates Theatre seems a great place to be and celebrate the new year. Even more so with the most popular arias and scenes of Mozart; Don Giovanni, Così fan tutte, Die Zauberflöte and Die Entführung aus dem Serail will be featured in wonderful sets. 

While you are listening to magical tunes and let the atmosphere of the old building absorb you, you even get to munch on something yummy. During the whole evening, Czech and international delicacies will be served. You will need the calories, once the clock hits 12: After the midnight toast with the artists, visitors get the opportunity to dance the night away on the stage.

Experience Czech culture and wonderful music in one night and make the start of 2019 an unforgettable experience!

When: Monday, 31st December 2018, from 19.30
Where: Estates Theatre, Železná, Old Town
Tickets: Narodni Divadlo

Starting quietly into the new year: Czech traditions in your home

If you do not want anything to do with crowds, the cold or loud music, celebrating at home might be your best option. That does not exclude celebrating the New Year the Czech way, though. Traditionally, Czechs munch on Chlebicky while sipping their Bohemia Sekt. Chlebicky are open sandwiches, topped with delicacies of your choosing. If you want to keep things traditional, top your Chleba with some homemade Pomazánka, salami and pickles!

Jamming into the New Year: Šišvester Soup

Before you set out for fireworks, champagne and celebrating, why not jam into the New Year? Žižkovšiška Gallery welcomes you and your friends from 16.20 until 23.00 to chill, jam and of course for some yummy Silvestr Soup. This is the New Year’s celebration for musicians, music fans and those who want to warm themselves up before seeking the best spot to watch fireworks and more!

Where: Žižkovšiška Gallery, Husitská 11, Prague 3
When: 16.20 – 23.00

Getting home after the Celebrations

To make sure you are getting home safely and easily after all the champagne, Prague’s Public Transportation system alternated its service times as follows:

Metro

On 31st December 2018, the Metro runs normally and even extends its service times until 01.30 (last departures at 01.00). January 1st is a Public Holiday and Metros run on Sunday schedule.

Trams

The Trams run normally on 31st December 2018 until 20.00. From 20.00 until 07.00, trams run in their regular night tram schedule (in 20 minutes intervals). January 1st is a Public Holiday and Trams run on Sunday schedule.

Vocabulary for the Czech New Year’s Eve:

New Year’s Eve – Silvestr

Happy New Year! – Šťastný nový rok!

Happy New Year’s Eve! – Veselého Silvestra!

Good fortune in the New Year! – Hodně štěstí v novém roce!

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Where and how are you spending New Year’s Eve? Have you been to any of the places above? Do you have further recommendations for expats to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Prague? We wish you good fortune and tons of adventures in the New Year! Šťastný nový rok!