Celebrating New Year’s in the Czech Republic? Discover Silvestr traditions and tips so you can welcome the New Year like a local!
New Year’s Eve in the Czech Republic is called Silvestr. This holiday marks the feast day of Saint Sylvester, who died on December 31, 335 AD.
Czechs like to celebrate Silvestr in a few different places. A lot of people choose to celebrate at home with family and friends, as this offers a more relaxed setting. Meanwhile, some spend their time in cities and pubs, particularly among younger generations. Others choose to welcome the New Year in the great outdoors. In any setting, people are sure to enjoy it.
Silvestr at home
Silvestr celebrations take place all across the Czech Republic.
Over time, some traditions and beliefs, whether religious or not, have lasted for centuries. For example, some people follow a superstition that involves collecting the last drying laundry and avoiding washing or hanging any new laundry. In the past, people believed that going against this tradition would cause a family member to die in the New Year. This belief also applies to avoiding other types of “work” on Silvestr.
There is a classic Czech saying, “Jak na Nový rok, tak po celý rok.” This means that however you spend New Year’s is how you will spend the whole year. Because of this, many Czechs avoid washing dishes, sweeping, or being uncivil toward neighbors while celebrating Silvestr. Of course, many people also make New Year’s resolutions. If you are one of them, here’s how to say the most common resolutions in Czech! Although not everyone sticks to these traditions or resolutions, they remain a fun part of the holiday.
Holiday Essentials of Silvestr
When ringing in the New Year, many people decorate their houses, play music, and prepare food related to the holiday. Typically, decorations include candles and New Year’s tableware. In addition, people often play tambourines on New Year’s Eve. Locals believe these drive away evil spirits and welcome good fortune.
New Year’s fireworks are also a classic tradition. You can find them at supermarkets and outdoor markets leading up to the 31st. For this reason, make sure to check whether fireworks are allowed in your area, as an increasing number of places in Czechia have banned them for New Year’s. If fireworks are not your choice, sparklers remain a popular alternative. Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper holiday without traditional food. In the Czech Republic, New Year’s food symbolizes prosperity and continues the idea of starting the year the way you want it to continue. Here are some popular examples:
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jednohubky – Czech finger food, very similar to “canapés.” Usually, people prepare slices of bread rolls topped with cheese, salami, and vegetables.
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obložené chlebíčky – a larger version of jednohubky.
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sparkling wine (Bohemia Sekt) – the most popular Czech sparkling wine, which many people serve on New Year’s Eve.
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poppy seed rolls – sweet pastries where poppy seeds represent wealth and prosperity for the coming year.
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lentils and fried egg – people eat these together or separately. The lentils resemble coins to symbolize wealth in the New Year, while the egg represents new beginnings.
Ideally, there should be no meat from animals with feathers and no fish—otherwise, your luck will fly or swim away. Instead, many people choose to eat pork.
Silvestr out and about
Silvestr can also be celebrated at a local bar or pub if they are open.
In Prague, Wenceslas Square and Old Town Square host larger New Year’s celebrations. In particular, Old Town Square attracts visitors with the Astronomical Clock as part of the experience.
Alternatively, you can try a boat cruise on the Vltava River. Many companies offer cruises that include midnight fireworks and drinks.
In Brno, bars, clubs, and pubs also offer lively celebrations. Some nota
ble spots with fun atmospheres include The Bar That Doesn’t Exist, Super Panda Cirkus, and Fléda Club, which is especially popular among university students.
In Plzeň, visitors can experience the birthplace of the famous Pilsner Urquell beer. The city hosts New Year’s Eve celebrations throughout pubs and public squares. Naturally, if you visit Plzeň, you should expect “pivo” to be the drink of choice.
Overall, these cities—and many others across Czechia—celebrate with drinks, festivities, and even parades. If you want to explore someplace new, celebrating Silvestr in a new city can be a worthwhile adventure.
Silvestr outdoors
Additionally, some people enjoy celebrating in national parks and mountain areas. While this usually means no fireworks, the natural views make up for it. During the day, many locals go hiking. Popular destinations include Velká Javořina in the White Carpathians and Javořice, the highest peak of the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands.
Another outdoor option includes treetop trails. Many believe this tradition comes from pagan customs of welcoming the New Year from high places. One popular example is the Lipno Treetop Walk, an accessible path for all ages that ends at a 40-meter lookout tower with stunning views of Czechia.
Finally, if you are ready to travel for a few days, some Czechs spend New Year’s and winter holidays in a mountain ski cottage, known as a “chata.” This tradition originated during the Communist era, when companies rewarded “good” workers with stays at ski cottages. Today, people have adapted the idea and made it their own.
There are many fun ways to celebrate New Year’s in Czechia. Above all, unity and family remain at the heart of the holiday. No matter what you choose, you will have a great time this New Year’s and start 2026 in the best way.
Looking for more insights on living and celebrating in the Czech Republic? Browse our latest articles on the Foreigners Blog.
image and graphic source: Canva
