Easter markets to open April 1

The Easter Markets in Prague will open April 1 and last until April 23. This year, Easter falls on April 16 on both the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Good Friday and Easter Monday are both national holidays.

The markets will be decorated in spring colors with ribbons and other decorations related to Bohemian and Moravian folklore. The Old Town Square market will have 97 stands and the one at Wenceslas Sqaure will have 21 stands. Those two are of the most interest, especially to tourists. Visitors will be able to see Easter egg painting and other traditional crafts such as weaving willow whips, which are used in folk celebrations but also are more often just decorative.

There will be seasonal foods such as special Easter cakes, some shaped like lambs, and other foods only eaten around this holiday.

“The Easter markets take all the best elements that we presented at the recent Christmas markets. There will be a multifunctional stage and a photo corner for an Easter selfie,” said Libor Votruba of market organizer Taiko.

At Old Town Square there will be a seven by five meter stage, but many events will be more in the center near the square's birch trees so people can be involved more directly. Decorations at the markets are inspired by particular regions from the 18th or 19th century such as Cheb, Strážnice, Podluží and Kyjov. The central birch tree will be decorated in color motifs from pottery from Tupesy, near the Moravian and Czech border.

There are other Easter markets as well, but operated by different organizers. The one at náměstí Míru is a bit more relaxed and less touristy, and offers authentic Easter whips and other traditional items as well as food and small gifts. This market runs April 1 to 17. There will also be a special Eater-themed farmers markets at Náplavka in the first half of April.