Planning to visit Czech Republic in 2019? Get the most out of your experience! Learn here about the most important holidays in Czech Republic - fast and easy with CzechClass101!
| January 1, 2019 | Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State |
| January 6, 2019 | Epiphany |
| March 8, 2019 | Mothers’ Day |
| May 1, 2019 | May Day |
| May 8, 2019 | Liberation Day |
| June 1, 2019 | International Children’s Day |
| July 5, 2019 | St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day |
| July 6, 2019 | Day of burning of Jan Hus |
| September 28, 2019 | Day of Czech statehood/St. Wenceslas Day |
| October 28, 2019 | Independent Czechoslovak State Day |
| November 2, 2019 | All Souls’ Day |
| November 17, 2019 | Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day |
How well do you know holidays in Czech Republic?
In this article, you learn all about the top Czech Republic holidays and the traditions and history behind them. Check the must-know Czech vocabulary for popular holidays in Czech Republic too!
That way, you can easily talk about Czech holidays while improving your vocabulary and overall speaking skills. You will pick up key vocab, phrases, and cultural insights you won’t find in a textbook.
Perfect for any student interested in learning more about Czech culture. We will teach you the what, why, when and how of Czech Republic holidays.
On January 1 each year, the Czech Republic celebrates the Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State alongside New Year’s Day. This day commemorates the 1993 separation of Czechoslovakia into two separate entities: the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Epiphany is the commemoration and celebration of when the three kings (or wise men) came to visit Jesus after his birth. In the Czech Republic, it’s common for children to dress up like these kings and go door-to-door singing praise of Jesus’ birth. In exchange, they usually receive some sort of treat (typically cookies or candy).
Though not a public holiday, Mother’s Day is on the second Sunday of May each year in the Czech Republic, and is a day on which the Czech people celebrate their mothers and mothers in general. Originally, this day was celebrated as International Women’s Day; around 1989, Czechs started celebrating Mother’s Day as well. Above all else, this a day for women to be honored and shown appreciation by the men in their life; since mothers give love to them and to their children throughout the year, they deserve a day to be given that love back through pampering and treats. On this day, school children give presentations honoring their mothers, and during the evening (once the kids are put to bed) a special dance takes place that the mothers participate in.
Beginning in 1890, Czechs began celebrating May Day (or Labor Day), called První máj in Czech. While May Day around the world is a typically a day to honor and celebrate the workers of that country (as well as an occasion for petitioning for more workers’ rights), in the Czech Republic this is also a day for lovers - couples spend the whole day together, talking and enjoying each other’s company, particularly on long walks. On these long walks, the couple may find themselves underneath a cherry tree in bloom; it’s custom for the boy to kiss the girl underneath the tree, in hope that her youth and beauty will always remain intact.
In Czech, Liberation Day is the commemoration of when Second World War ended and the fighting in Prague stopped. On this day (currently celebrated on May 8 each year), ceremonies take place on which wreaths are laid down in honor of those who lost their lives in the war; nearly everyone attends these ceremonies. Another common event on this day is re-enactments of the war put on by enthusiasts and the military.
On June 1 each year, the Czech Republic celebrates International Children Day (Mezinárodní den dětí). As is true around the world, this is a day on which to celebrate and appreciate children. This became an official holiday in the Czech Republic in 1950, and largely stems from an attempt to pinpoint and solve the problems that children often face. On this day, parents (rodiče) may want to celebrate their children by giving them ice cream (zmrzlina) or candy (sladkosti). (
St. Cyril and St. Methodius Day is celebrated on July 5 each year in the Czech Republic. This day is held in commemoration of these two saints who came to the land with the message of Christianity, along with some writings of their own. These saints are also known to have created a Slavic alphabet, in order to ensure the Czech people could read what they had to say. On this day, the Czech people hold Mass (one of them televised), and oftentimes go on a vacation to take advantage of the national holiday on the following day.
On July 6 each year, the Czech Republic commemorates the Day of the Burning of Jan Hus. Jan Hus was a theologian in the late 1300s and early 1400s until his burning in 1415. He was burned due to his non-Catholic beliefs, and is known for setting the base of Protestantism and the Bohemian Reformation. On this day, church services are held in remembrance of Jan Hus and what he stood for, especially in those churches that hold onto his teachings and beliefs.
On this day, Czechs celebrate their day of statehood, and thus the memory of St. Wenceslas who is known for being its founder. Feasts often take place on this day, as well as solemn church services. The biggest celebrations are in places associated with him, or with the Czech Republic’s history. A mass also takes place, during which old items of St. Wenceslas are shown, along with his skull which is adorned with a crown. They also pray to him and sing a song dedicated to him.
On this day, Czechs celebrate the day on which they became an independent state, October 28, 1918. Memorials and other events are held throughout the Czech Republic, men dress up in uniforms of those who fought to make the Czech Republic an independent state. Many people decorate their windows with the national flag. Further, the Republic’s President holds a meeting at the Prague Castle honoring and giving awards to highly distinguished people; this event is televised.
Also called the “Memorial of all the Faithful Departed,” All Souls’ Day is essentially a day on which to remember and honor those who have died (though this holiday does have pagan roots). People visit the graves of people close to them who have died, and even travel long distances to get to them. The graves are cleaned; this often involves weeding and watering any flowers that were planted and raking up the sand that’s often placed on one part of the grave. The tomb itself is also cleaned, and flowers are brought. After the cleaning is done, an “All Souls’ Wreath” is laid on the grave, and candles are lit. Then, of course, people reflect on those they have lost.
November 17 is the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day in the Czech Republic. Essentially, this day commemorates the beginning and end of student demonstrations in opposition to Nazi occupation, in 1939 and 1989 respectively. It also commemorates the crumbling of socialism in the Czech Republic and the beginning of the Velvet Revolution. On this day, people hold memorials for victimized students, oftentimes using candles and wreaths to decorate areas where the students were shot. Also, social events are held on which people who witnessed the 1989 tragedies are encouraged to voice their opinions on the modern Czech society. This day is also celebrated as International Students’ Day.
You may ask why it is advantageous to know Czech holidays. There are a number of good reasons!
If you’re keen to learn Czech on your own, there are a number of ways to do this. Why not choose holidays as a theme? You can start by learning about the Czech culture, so find a video or TV program about holidays in Czech Republic. Better still - find a video or program about holidays in Czech, and watch it a few times! That way your ear will get used to the spoken language. You could also watch Czech movies without subtitles, as this too will train your ear to what correct Czech sounds like.
If you’re more advanced in Czech, you can practice your writing skills by writing a letter to your Czech friend about the holidays video. Or write a short review of the video, and post it on social media! Imagine how impressed your friends will be!
Practice your Czech pronunciation, and record yourself talking about your holiday in Czech Republic. Pronouncing words correctly in any language is very important, or you may find yourself saying things you don’t mean!
If you’re an absolute beginner, it would be best to start with a book, a CD series, free PDF cheat sheets and preferably your Czech friend who can help you. Or, you can start with CzechClass101, for free!
Holidays in Czech Republic can also be the perfect opportunity to practice your Czech! For the best experience, make sure to master at least Level 1 of your Czech lessons here on CzechClass101 before you go on holiday to Czech Republic. Then don’t be shy! Use it with every native speaker you encounter in every situation. Practicing continuously to speak a language is one of the most important habits if you want to become fluent. Or, if you’re a new subscriber to CzechClass101 in a hurry to get to Czech Republic, study Absolute Beginner Czech for Every Day to help you get by as a traveller - you will be surprised how far a little Czech can go!
CzechClass101 is uniquely geared to help you master relevant, everyday vocabulary and phrases, pronounced correctly and in the right context - this will set you on the right track. Our courses are perfectly designed to help you in fun ways!
But do have a holiday first. Ideally you will enjoy a different culture with a visit, and enrich your life in ways you cannot imagine. Don’t wait till 2020 to learn Czech through CzechClass101 though - it will open a whole new world for you!
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