With the first Advent Sunday, Christmas is already impatiently knocking at the door. During the winter months, Posázaví, a picturesque region bordering the Sázava River, will also turn into a fairy-tale landscape full of peace, traditions and a warm atmosphere. Christmas markets in the squares of small towns, snow-covered paths leading through forests and villages, or visits to historic castles and monasteries adorned with festive decorations – all this makes Posázaví the ideal place for a winter escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you are looking for a romantic trip, family comfort or discovering Czech Christmas traditions, Posázaví will enchant you with its unique winter atmosphere. In this article, we will give you inspiration on how to enjoy the magic of Christmas during your stay in our cottage and spend unforgettable moments in this beautiful region.
Christmas in Jílové u Prahy
Just like every year, you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere and thematic exhibitions in the Regional Museum in Jílové u Prahy, located only 3 km from our Cottage Daisy.
Until 30 December you can see an exhibition of a traditional model of a nativity scene by Václav Moravec.
On 14 December, the museum will be smelling of vanilla and cocoa – there will be a “Muzejní rohlíčkování.” As part of this event, you can come to the museum to bake Christmas cookies and soak up the true pre-Christmas atmosphere. Reservations must be made in advance, the price for baking is 200 CZK and includes dough for Christmas cookies, printed traditional recipes, and even a kids’ baking workshop. Buying hot chocolate or mulled wine during the event will also be possible. More information can be found directly on the museum’s website: https://www.muzeumjilove.cz/vystavy-a-akce/muzejni-rohlickovani/.
Advent tours at Český Šternberk Castle
Enjoy the unique Christmas atmosphere during a visit to the festively decorated Český Šternberk Castle. During the tours, you will learn about the Advent customs and traditions observed by the noble Sternberg family and discover how the preparations for Christmas were carried out during the First Republic.
Zdeněk Sternberg (1923-2021) spent an unforgettable childhood here with his eight siblings. How did they celebrate Christmas, what presents did they give each other and how did they help the children of the neighborhood? The guides will bring these memories to life through stories from the castle household.
Come and experience the magic of Advent and get a glimpse into the life of a noble family in the past. A small gift awaits you at the end of the tour to ensure that the festive mood lasts long after your visit.
During the tours, Advent workshops for children are also open from 10 am to 3 pm, during which the youngest visitors can make magnets, cards or other products with Christmas and Sternberg themes.
Tour dates:
- 7 and 8 December
- 14 and 15 December
- 21 and 22 December
- 27 December to 5 January
Starting times: 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00
Tours must be booked in advance. For more information, please visit the castle’s website: https://hradceskysternberk.cz/novinky.php.
Christmas at Týnec nad Sázavou Castle
Until 22 December, you can visit the mini exhibition of Christmas traditions at Týnec nad Sázavou Castle every Saturday (2 – 5 pm) and Sunday (2 – 6 pm).
At the same time, small Christmas markets are held every Advent Sunday in the castle, which, in addition to recurring events such as children’s workshops, stall sales, and an exhibition of painted and embroidered pictures by Anna and Zdeňka Hanibal, offers a different accompanying program every week.
First Sunday of Advent: Nativity scene carving demonstration, Christmas mini quiz
Second Sunday of Advent: Demonstration of Christmas garlands and wreaths, writing letters for Santa’s mail
Third Sunday of Advent: Making the longest Christmas chain in Týnec, painting Christmas stones
Fourth Sunday of Advent: Decorating Christmas ornaments, competition for the best Christmas picture
Advent markets Pyšely
If you want to experience a truly homely, warm Christmas atmosphere, stop by the village of Pyšely near Čerčany during one of the Sundays of Advent. Local associations such as the scout troop, the Christian choir and the interest groups of the primary school have prepared a rich program for each week, including singing Christmas carols, hot refreshments and selling decorations. All together, they are sure to create the true, non-commercial spirit of Christmas.
Christmas Circus Sázava
Christmas in Sázava will be celebrated in a somewhat unconventional way this year. One of the December events is the Christmas Circus, held in the local cultural center. The program includes performances by acrobats, comedians and other artists, all during a light and music show, especially focused on Christmas time. The circus takes place on 12 December and tickets can be purchased on the town website: https://www.mestosazava.cz/zivot-ve-meste/kalendar-akci/vanocni-cirkus-691_120cs.html.
Ski resort Chotouň
Although the weather is not yet favorable, with the arrival of the true winter, when the lower altitudes will also get a white coat, you can also look forward to great skiing fun in Posázaví. And maybe it will be already at Christmas. Only 5 km from our cottage is the ski resort Chotouň – an ideal place for winter sports lovers who do not want to travel far to the mountains. The resort offers pleasant slopes suitable especially for beginners and intermediate skiers, a modern snowmaking system, and even night skiing thanks to the illuminated slope.
In Chotouň you will find four lifts, a ski strip for the little ones, equipment rental, a ski school and a refreshment stand. The snow is prepared with modern cannons, so fun on the slopes is guaranteed even in bad weather. Plus, the online webcam makes it easy to check the current conditions.
The ski area is located at an altitude of 400 m, but is still regularly snowed in every winter. For information on current ski conditions, please visit the website https://www.vlekychotoun.cz/index.htm.
A trip to Prague during Christmas
If you stay at our cottage, thanks to its proximity you will probably want to visit Prague as well. The Czech capital is rightly one of the most beautiful destinations to visit during the Christmas period. Here are some tips for unforgettable experiences you should not miss during your holiday trip to Prague.
Advent markets
Prague’s Christmas markets are renowned throughout Europe. The smell of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, the parade of traditional crafts and the singing of Christmas carols can always get you in the mood for the holidays. The most famous and largest markets are held every year in Old Town Square. However, if you are in Prague during Christmas, you should also visit the other, smaller markets, which often offer a more authentic atmosphere and better-quality products and refreshments. Here is an overview of the main and smaller Christmas markets in Prague and their opening times:
Old Town Square: 30. 11.2024 – 6. 1. 2025 (10:00 – 22:00)
Wenceslas Square: 30. 11. 2024 – 6. 1. 2025 (10:00 – 19:00)
Republic Square: 25. 11. – 24. 12. 2024 (10:00 – 19:00)
náměstí Míru: 20. 11. – 24. 12. 2024 (10:00 – 19:00)
Anděl: 24. 11. – 23. 12. 2024 (10:00 – 20:00)
Square under the Charles Bridge in Kampa: 5. 12. 2024 – 1. 1. 2025 (10:00 – 20:00)
Jiřího z Poděbrad Square: 1. – 22. 12. 2024 (8:00 – 18:00)
Victory Square: 30. 11. – 21. 12. 2024 always on Saturday (8:00 – 14:00)
Christmas events and attractions
In addition to the markets, Prague will delight you with other special events. For the whole month of December, you can meet a lamplighter on Charles Bridge every day around 16:00, who lights up the gas lights in the traditional 19th-century way.
Various Christmas exhibitions are offered by the National Museum of Agriculture, the Museum of the Magic of Old Times, the Charles Bridge Museum and the Bethlehem Chapel.
Throughout December you can also come across special Christmas tram cars in Prague, decorated with lights and covered in festive designs. This Christmas fleet consists of seven tram cars alternating different routes, a historic tram, a lubricated car and two buses. You can find out which routes the Christmas cars are on the DPP website: https://www.dpp.cz/vanoce.
Christmas concerts and cultural events
You can also soak up the Christmas spirit during one of the cultural performances and concerts. For example, the Nutcracker is on the program at the National Theatre and the Czech Christmas Mass concert at the Klementinum.
At St. Vitus Cathedral, you can listen to the Castle Guard Music and the choir of Prague’s elementary art schools every Advent Sunday.
There are countless cultural events in Prague in December, so if you want to try something different this pre-Christmas time, we recommend you attend one of them.
Skating on public ice rinks
During the Christmas holidays, you can enjoy the magic of winter at public ice rinks all over Prague. Whether you’re an experienced skater or a beginner, ice rinks in squares, parks or shopping centers offer great fun for the whole family. Some places also have festive decorations and refreshments to add to the atmosphere. And you don’t have to worry about skates, they are almost always available to rent on-site. Here’s an overview of some of Prague’s ice rinks and information on when skating will be available:
Ice rink Letná: 16. 11. 2024 – 23. 2. 2025
Ice Rink Střížkov in Park Přátelství: 8. 11. 2024 – 28. 2. 2025
Shopping mall Černý Most: 9. 11. 2024 – 31. 1. 2025
River Rink Karlín: 19. 11. 2024 – 1. 3. 2025
Obora Hvězda, Vypich: 22. 11. 2024 – 28. 2. 2025
Grébovka in Havlíčkovy sady: 22. 11. 2024 – 16. 2. 2025
Ice Rink Vinohrady in Sady Svatopluka Čecha: 22. 11. 2024 – 28. 2. 2025
OC Arkády Pankrác: 22. 11. 2024 – 16. února 2025
Wenceslas Square: 1. 12. 2024 – 18. 2. 2025
Ice Rink under Žižkovská věž: 1. 12. 2024 – 28. 2. 2025
Whether you enjoy winter in Posázaví on the ski slope, ice skating or discovering local traditions and beauty, one thing is certain – your stay in our cottage will add the right charm to these experiences. The cozy furnishings, the smell of mulled wine and the peaceful surroundings are the perfect end to a day of winter adventures. Come and spend the holidays with us in the heart of this picturesque region!