When to go · Prague
Prague in December
Mixed month. Cold; Christmas markets and packed bridges.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- Crowds
- High
- Czech Republic overall
- Prices
- High
- Czech Republic overall
Verdict
Cold; Christmas markets and packed bridges.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- PragueHighs around 3 °C (37 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 37 °F (3 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 9 days
- Bohemia (Prague, Český Krumlov), Czech Republic · Prague, Kutná Hora, Český Krumlov, Karlovy Varycool
Continental: grey, frosty winters around 0 °C (32 °F), warm summers with 30 °C (86 °F) spells and thunderstorms; May–June and September are the sweet spots.Continental: grey, frosty winters around 32 °F (0 °C), warm summers with 86 °F (30 °C) spells and thunderstorms; May–June and September are the sweet spots.
Winter season
Christmas markets, snow on the castle and cheap rooms in January and February.
Watch: Cold, short days and icy cobbles.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas markets check
Late November to early January (check) · Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, Peace Square
Stalls, mulled wine, grilled sausage and dense crowds; hotel prices peak.
St Nicholas Eve (Mikuláš) check
5 December · Old Town and other squares
Costumed St Nicholas, angel and devil roam; children get sweets.
Christmas check
24 to 26 December (public holidays) · Whole city
Shops close from the afternoon of the 24th; check restaurants and transport.
New Year's Eve check
31 December · Old Town Square and the riverbank
Fireworks and very crowded streets; taxis and ride-hailing surge.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Czech Republic overall
- High
- Prices · Czech Republic overall
- High
Czech Republic overall: Christmas markets fill Prague; cold, festive, packed around New Year.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Prague, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
May: 20 °C (68 °F)68 °F (20 °C)
Night low
Dec: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
May: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 9 (better)
May: 11
Crowds
Dec: High
May: High
Prices
Dec: High
May: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 4
May: 4
December: Cold; Christmas markets and packed bridges.
May: Warm; good light.
Prague: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket