How to Celebrate New Year in Prague

As the New Year approaches, it’s traditional in the Czech Republic to slice an apple in half and scrutinise the core. The custom says that a star shape in the fruit’s middle promises a year of happiness, but reveals a cross and that’s 12 months of mischief. Even those unlucky enough to get a cross will probably throw caution to the wind for a high-octane celebration on New Year’s Eve in Prague. Like most cities in the world, 31^st December is a time to join friends and relatives in toasting with a flute of fizz under a sky lit up with fireworks.

What adds an especially joyous touch to New Year’s Eve in Prague is the celebration of Czech Restoration Day on 1^st January. This auspicious date in the Czech calendar commemorates the division of Czechoslovakia and the establishment of the modern Czech Republic. That means, when the clock strikes midnight and glasses of Champagne are raised in celebration, the party isn’t quite over yet. Here are the best ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Prague.

Enjoy the fireworks

The midnight fireworks in Prague are consistently spectacular, and restaurants, bars, and river cruises plan their evening’s entertainment with the dazzling display in mind. There are three main areas where visitors and locals tend to assemble to enjoy the show, and each is defined by a slightly different character. For a more relaxing environment, mark out a spot by the Vltava River near Charles Bridge, or reserve a place on the terrace of a riverside restaurant. The real party happens in the center of town, though. There’s a lively mood among the locals in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, where the atmosphere builds to a fever pitch before breaking into cheers, hugs, and dancing as the clock strikes midnight.