12 Things to Do in Prague in November
With Christmas just around the corner, Prague in November offers a festive and fun scene. Loaded with music, national festivities, circus acts and good cinema, you will be short of time to do so many things!
Snow-covered city roofs in Prague. | ©Wojtek Witkowski
November is a fantastic month to visit the beautiful city of Prague, with the arrival of cold weather the indoor activities increase so you will find recurring festivals of music and dance, circus performers, and good cinema designed for the entertainment of locals and tourists. In addition, you can enjoy the first vestiges of Christmas celebrations. When planning your vacation, take inspiration from this list so you don't miss anything important.
1. In November, join the celebrations of St. Martin's Day.
St. Martin of Tours Day is celebrated in Prague on November 11. The most fun at the St. Martin's Day celebrations are the children who make colorful lanterns with their own hands and participate in the lantern processions while singing songs.
Some of the activities you can do during the St. Martin's Day celebrations include: watching the lantern procession, attending creative workshops if you go to Prague with children, attending traditional roast goose tastings and drinking young wine. For more information about what to eat in Prague I recommend you to read our post where you will see what are the best dishes of Czech gastronomy.
Lantern paradesare organized in many neighborhoods of Prague. The activities and parades that take place in Riegrovy sady Park and Vyšehrad Fortress are especially beautiful.
Tasting eventsEating roast goose is a tradition on St. Martin's Day; so in Prague you will find various food and drink tasting events. While they may vary from year to year the most traditional ones are held at the following locations:
- Jiriho z Podebrad Square
- Kubáň farmers' market
- Smichov promenade
2. Follow in the footsteps of the Prague Lanternman
From November 28 until the day before Christmas, you can witness a very peculiar and beautiful ceremony in Prague: the illumination of the Charles Bridge and the lanterns of the Stare Mesto. The Charles Bridge is the only bridge in the world that still uses the gas lamp system for its illumination. Although the bridge is illuminated with an automatic system, with the arrival of Christmas in Prague, the manual lighting ceremony begins.
It consists of the city's lamplighter, historically the tallest citizen of Prague, who has to walk around with a torch in his hand, lighting the lights one by one. If you are in Prague these days you can not miss this beautiful ceremony.
Where it takes place
It starts at Křižovnické náměstí square, passes through the Old Town and crosses the entire Charles Bridge lighting the lights. The lamplighter will return to the starting point where the last light of the tour is turned on.
3. Take a tour of Prague's historic cafes
November is the best month to take a tour of Prague and explore the city's famous historic cafes, of which there are quite a few. When the city was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Prague was home to intellectuals and important figures who changed the course of history. These characters used the beautiful Czech cafés as a meeting point, and many of them not only discussed the issues that would shape the nation, but also rewrote history.
Where to go
Known in Prague as "Grand Café Houses" these spaces can be found all over the city. Below is a list of the most outstanding, I recommend you include them in your itinerary along with the best things to do in Prague.
- Kavárna Slavia The oldest café in Prague, besides offering fabulous views of the city of Prague, the Charles Bridge and the Prague Castle; when visiting this place it is very likely that you will find Czech opera singers and actors doing their interpretations. Top of the menu: chocolate, coffee or hot cider in winter.
- Café Savoy Its high ceiling decorated in the purest Renaissance style is an impressive 7 meters high, resulting in one of the most beautiful interiors you will see in a city café. Prague locals head to Café Savoy to enjoy a cup of hot coffee accompanied by a rich ořechový dort (hazelnut cake).
- Café Louvre Known as the center of intellectuality, it is one of the most famous for being a space that served as a working office for intellectuals such as Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka. Can you imagine sitting at the same table where "The Metamorphosis'' was written? If you go to the Café Louvre accompany your hot drink with its famous cheesecake served with peaches.
4. Jazz it up! With the Prague International Jazz Festival
Prague is undoubtedly the best place in the entire Czech Republic to enjoy this musical genre. Scattered throughout the city you will find several renowned clubs, and if you want, you can book a pub crawl through Prague. In addition, the Prague International Jazz Festival is held every autumn and the festival performances usually start on September 30 and last for more than 30 days until November 5 or 10
It was established in 1964, making it not only one of the oldest festivals in Prague but also in Europe. Throughout the years Jazz music was closely linked to the history of Czechoslovakia itself; for during the dark days of communism, Jazz symbolized the personal and artistic freedom of an entire nation.
Where it takes place
Every year the Festival borrows the stages of the famous Reduta Jazz Club and the Lucerna Music Bar. Throughout history, the likes of BB King, Big Joe Tunner, Duke Ellintong and many others have performed.
How to buy tickets
You can view the calendar and dates of presentations on the official website of the Reduta Jazz Club
5. Strings of Autumn
During the first days of November it is possible to enjoy the last performances of the famous Strings of Autumn festival. Founded in 1996, it is a unique music festival that combines on stage various artistic styles ranging from jazz to classical music as well as experimental rhythms.
Throughout the festival different concerts are held on a different schedule each year; to better program the large number of performances the organizers have divided the program of presentations into three main focuses: Inspiration, Crossover, and Luminaries.
Where it is held
In its first eight years the event was almost entirely sponsored by the government, so the concert was held at the Castle. It is best to check the official Strings of Autumn website to be aware of the performance schedule before your travel date.
6. Join the cultural party to celebrate the Velvet Revolution
On November 17, the day of the Velvet Revolution is commemorated in Prague. All over the country and especially in Prague different commemorations take place in the form of cultural activities that seek, on the one hand, to educate about this historical event and, on the other hand, to analyze the current situation and critically evaluate the privileges and freedoms of our societies today. You will also find free exhibitions inmany of the main museums of the city.
Where it takes place
- Korzo Národní:: in the area around Národní třída the whole area is transformed into a large gallery of audiovisual installations and light shows. you can also walk through the many street exhibitions to learn about the communist period, and if you want, you can even book a tour of communism in Prague that includes tickets to the nuclear bunker.
- Free museums: in addition to the outdoor exhibitions you'll find throughout the city, especially in areas such as Wenceslas Square and Prague Castle, many Prague museums join in the celebration by opening their doors to the public for free or at a reduced rate. Historically the venues offering this open day are: The National Gallery of Prague and the National Museum of Prague.
How to buy tickets
The events will be mostly free, you will not need tickets for the event.
7. Hop on a sightseeing bus to see Prague
How about getting to know Prague by taking a full day tour in a tourist bus? The idea is that you will not miss any detail of the city and you will do it without being cold. And is that winter in Prague can be a bit harsh, there are even snowfalls during these dates so booking a tourist bus tour prevents bad weather to ruin your trip.
In addition, this experience is super complete as it offers a 3-course lunch and a cruise on the Vltava River.
Where it takes place
The tour will pick you up from your hotel and the tour lasts about 7 hours. You will visit all the most emblematic places in Prague: walking around the exterior of the Prague Castle, the Wallenstein Palace and its gardens, the Old Town Square, the Jewish quarter, and getting to know the Powder Tower, the National Theater, the memorial to Jan Palach or the John Lennon Wall.
How to buy tickets
Tickets for the guided bus tour of Prague can be purchased online and cost around 65 euros.
8. Enjoy a concert in the Mozart Hall with a luxury dinner
And what better plan to combat the low temperatures than to attend a concert with a luxury dinner in one of the most emblematic and traditional halls of the city? We propose you to book a concert night in the Mozart hall with dinner, to enjoy the most famous pieces of the musician interpreted by two singers and five musicians from Czech opera houses. The concert is divided into 3 parts of about 20 minutes each.
Where the concert takes place
The concert takes place in the Mozart Hall in Prague, specifically in the impressive Boccaccio Hall.
How to buy tickets
You can purchase your tickets for the concert in the Mozart Hall with dinner in Prague online in advance. The price is around 89 euros.
9. Attend the Letní Letná circus festival
Founded in 2004, the Letní Letná talent festival brings some of the best circus performers and shows from around the world to Prague every year. The event starts in mid-October and runs until the first days of November, so if you are visiting Prague around this time you should consider it among your plans.
The program of presentations includes current productions that seek to enrich the Czech and Central European artistic scene, since one of the main objectives of the festival is to support the new circus of the Czech Republic, contributing to its evolution and growth.
Where it takes place
During the event, the circus artists have used as a stage the facilities of the large Letná Park, located on the banks of the Vltava River.
How to buy tickets
You can buy your tickets directly on the official website of the Letní Letná event
10. Italian cinema comes to Prague with the Mittel CinemaFest
The biggest promotional event of Italian cinema tours Central Europe every year from the first days of November to the first days of December. The cities of Budapest, Bratislava and Prague are toured for a week to showcase the latest cinema releases from Italy. Since Prague is the last city of the tour, the dates of the presentations are usually scheduled in mid or late November. In addition to Prague, other Czech cities such as Brno and Ostrava are included.
The festival started in 2005, on the website of FILMITALIA, an organization dedicated to the international promotion of Italian cinema, it is possible to appreciate the history of the event with many productions that have been exhibited over the years.
Where it takes place
The event takes place at the Kino Lucerna, considered the most important venue for Prague film culture.
How to buy tickets
You can purchase tickets and view the schedule of the presentations directly on the Czech Mittel CinemaFest website
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11. Attend the opening of Prague's Christmas Markets
In the last days of November the traditional and magical Christmas markets arrive in Prague. If you are in the city for these dates do not miss the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful space where you will find a varied selection of Christmas gifts, with hats, winter scarves, local handmade crafts, decorations for the Christmas tree, candles and aromatic soaps with seasonal scents and many others.
The market will also be full of traditional Czech snacks, hot winter drinks and all kinds of knick-knacks.
Where it is held
In Prague, Christmas markets are very common and traditional. All over the city, wooden chalets decorated with glitter and lights are set up. Below I share with you the most beautiful traditional locations and also the opening dates for you to organize your schedule.
- Old Town Square Christmas Market in Staré Mesto. Starts on November 26, open to the public every day.
- Republic Square Christmas Market in Josefov. Starts on November 25, open to the public every day.
- Christmas market at Wenceslas Square in Nove Mesto. Starts on November 27, open to the public every day.
- Christmas market on Peace Square in Nove Mesto. It is the first to open on November 20, it offers services every day.
How to buy tickets
The markets are free events with free access and free admission to the public.
12. Ride the Prague Christmas Tram
To continue to get in tune with the Christmas season in Prague you can choose to ride the Christmas streetcar. From the last week of November until the first week of January, a streetcar decorated with hundreds of Christmas lights runs through the city. It is an ideal plan to protect yourself from the cold winter weather and take a ride around the city while admiring Prague's historic buildings in the winter landscape. The route takes you from the center of Stare Mesto to the Prague Castle.
Where it takes place
You can do this tour by taking route 02 and route 22 of the Prague streetcar; route 22 is the most touristic line in the whole city as it runs through the entire Hradčany area all the way to the Prague Castle.
How to buy tickets
You will need to purchase your streetcar tickets; a single ticket costs approximately 1,30€; while a three-day ticket costs on average 13,50€ and you can ride the streetcar as much as you want. When planning routes, it is a good idea to have a map of the routes at hand.
Prague in November: How to handle the weather and what to wear in this month
When November arrives, autumn is saying goodbye and winter is just around the corner, so temperatures drop significantly. With an average high of 9°C and a low of 1°C there may even be some snowfall during the month. Rainfall is also slightly higher than in October. In terms of sunshine hours, only about 8 hours on average are expected during the clearest days.
If you visit Prague in November, take your cold weather clothes out of the closet and go properly prepared. Keep in mind that you will be spending a long time walking the streets and visiting monuments so prioritize comfortable shoes such as warm boots; add to your luggage a warm hat, a scarf to protect yourself from the old man and of course a thick coat!
Prague in November: tourist influx
November marks the beginning of the low tourist season in Prague, the ideal time for travelers on a budget or looking to save a few euros as it is easier to get discounted accommodation. The cafes and museums, usually crowded with tourists in June or July, can once again be enjoyed without feeling the discomfort of crowds.