New Year's Eve in Prague: fireworks, lentils and how Silvestr works

Prague on the last night of the year is loud, crowded and a good deal of fun, provided you arrive with a plan. The Czech name is Silvestr, and like most Czech customs it has a saint behind it: 31 December is Sylvester's name day. Czechs mark it with friends, family, something sparkling and a great many fireworks that nobody quite organised.

What actually happens

No single event defines the night, and people spread out. Some go to parties at home or at a country cottage (chata), others book a restaurant or a concert, and plenty head to the river and the centre to watch the sky at midnight. The Old Town and the riverbanks fill up, and from midnight private fireworks go off from squares, bridges and gardens.

Whether the city stages an official display changes from year to year. Check Prague City Tourism and Prague City Hall in December rather than relying on last year's plan.

The fireworks question

For several hours around midnight the city sounds like a small war. Rules apply, though: fireworks have age and category restrictions, and local rules can limit or ban them in certain areas, especially the historic centre. Check Prague City Hall and the municipal police before you buy or light anything. As a visitor, the simplest approach is to watch, not launch.

Expect firecrackers thrown on pavements. With a dog or small children, choose a quieter spot away from the squares.

Eating and drinking

If you want a restaurant on 31 December, book early. Many offer a set menu for the night, with less choice than usual, and prices are theirs to set, so compare. A pub with a long table and a few friends is an equally Czech way to see in the year; see how a Czech pub works.

At midnight the standard drink is sparkling wine, and Czech sparkling wine is easy to find. Our guide to Czech wine regions explains where it comes from.

The first day of the year

1 January is a public holiday. It is also the Restoration Day of the independent Czech state, marking the creation of the Czech Republic in 1993. It is a quiet day of late breakfasts and long walks, and many places open late or not at all.

Two food customs are worth knowing. Eat lentils on New Year's Day and money is said to follow in the year ahead. Avoid poultry, since the luck is supposed to fly away. Plenty of Czechs observe one or both with a straight face and plenty do not. At a family table, eat the lentils.

For the wider calendar, see what each public holiday celebrates.

Getting around and where to watch

Public transport runs on New Year's Eve, and the DPP usually publishes a special timetable with night service, so check its site in the days before. Taxis and ride-hailing are in high demand around midnight; see taxis and ride-hailing in Prague and night transport. If you plan to drink, do not drive: the rule for drivers in Czechia is zero alcohol.

Good fireworks vantage points are the riverbanks and the hills. A hill gives you the whole city and spares you the crush; see the best viewpoints over Prague. The bridges are the most photogenic spot and the most crowded; our guides to the bridges of Prague and Charles Bridge explain why you will struggle to move there at midnight.

Crowds attract pickpockets. Keep phone and wallet in a front pocket or a zipped bag; see pickpockets in Prague, and staying safe at night if you go out late.

A quieter New Year

Not everyone wants a crowd. Many Czechs spend the night at a cottage or a friend's flat with a table of food and a view of someone else's fireworks. You can do the same with a good meal, a bottle of sparkling wine and a window facing the river. You still get the sound of midnight, and you can be in bed within the hour. Whatever you choose, have a backup: the weather can be bitterly cold, crowds can block bridges and trams can run late. Shops may be shut on 1 January, so stock up on 30 December.

Winter has more to offer: see Prague in winter.

Frequently asked questions

What is Silvestr?

The Czech name for New Year's Eve, after Saint Sylvester, whose name day is 31 December.

Is there an official fireworks display?

It changes from year to year. Check Prague City Tourism and Prague City Hall in December.

Can I set off fireworks myself?

Rules on age, category and location apply and may limit use in the historic centre. Check Prague City Hall and the municipal police.

Why do people eat lentils on 1 January?

A Czech custom says lentils bring money in the coming year. Many families still follow it.

Does public transport run on New Year's Eve?

Yes, usually with special night service. Check the DPP timetable in advance.