Christmas is said to be the most wonderful time of the year, so it’s important to get into the spirit. Come to Olomouc for a memorable experience. Bring your children, parents, and friends and enjoy a wonderful time together in the second largest historical preservation area in the country. From November 23 to December 23, you can look forward to a festively decorated city center, punch, and a cultural program for everyone. You can also enjoy an open-air ice rink, a Ferris wheel, Advent tours, and boat trips on the Morava River.
Every year during the pre-Christmas period, the center of Olomouc is filled with more than a hundred stalls, and this year will be no different. The Christmas markets offer not only inspiration for gifts, but you can also buy Christmas decorations, regional foods, handicrafts, and, of course, punch. And we have a lot of that in Olomouc! The festive experience of the city is enhanced by the view of the Christmas-decorated center from the 75-meter-high town hall tower, which is accessible as part of guided Advent tours from Thursday to Sunday at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. And don’t miss the Advent tours of the Komenium ceremonial hall, which has rightly earned the nickname “Olomouc’s Sistine Chapel.” You can visit it with a guide every Advent weekend at 2 p.m.
Advent cruises on the Morava River
During the pre-Christmas period, you will find a festive atmosphere literally at every turn in Olomouc. The cultural program will enliven not only the historic city center, but also the Olomouc riverbank, where markets, concerts, and a program for children are planned during Advent. This year, the traditional Advent cruises on the Morava River on a heated and Christmas-decorated boat, offering an unusual view of the city from its deck, will not be missing either. During the Christmas season, the boat always departs in the afternoon from Tuesday to Sunday.
Program everywhere and for everyone
The open-air ice rink, which can be found again this year in the Olomouc market hall, promises fun for everyone, as does the Ferris wheel. Young visitors can look forward to a carousel in the city center, as well as Santa’s workshop and a bell tower that is said to grant secret wishes. Adults, on the other hand, can enjoy a culinary show every Saturday and interesting talks about traditional crafts every Advent Sunday at Horní náměstí (Upper Square). The music program on Horní náměstí will feature concerts by popular Olomouc bands, performances by Czech legends such as Turbo, Poutníci, and Kamelot, and revival bands playing well-known hits by Elán, Queen, Miro Žbirka, and Brian Adams.
The quiet beauty of Olomouc’s nativity scenes
However, Christmas is not just about festively decorated towns and carols. Let yourself be enchanted by the quiet beauty of the nativity scenes in Olomouc’s churches. They are usually on display before the Christmas holidays. The largest one can be found in the Church of the Annunciation on Kapucínská Street. The nearly 100-year-old nativity scene is in the Church of St. Michael, and in the Church of St. Maurice there is a manger carved from olive wood. Children will be particularly fascinated by the mechanical nativity scene in St. Wenceslas Cathedral. And every year during the pre-Christmas season, a beautiful, hand-carved nativity scene with almost life-size figures decorates Dolní náměstí (Lower Square) in Olomouc.
Enjoy the pre-Christmas season in Olomouc in comfort and take advantage of the accommodation packages at www.moraviaforyou.cz. Among other things, they include a 48-hour Olomouc Region Card, which gives you free or discounted admission to most of the most interesting places in Olomouc, and you can also use it to travel on Olomouc public transport for free.
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