Czech Christmas Folk Traditions

In the Czech Republic, just like in many countries, Christmas is the most cherished time of year. It is a season filled with warmth, family, and memories waiting to be made. Czech Christmas traditions are deeply rooted in folk customs, and many of these traditions are still lovingly carried on today. Let me take you on a journey to discover the heart of Czech Christmas!

➜ Forecasting the future on St. Andrew

Advent, that special time of quiet and reflection, begins about four weeks before Christmas. The exact date can vary a bit, but it usually falls around November 30, a day once celebrated as St. Andrew's Day in the Czech lands. Back then, people believed this day held the power to reveal the future, and young, unmarried girls took full advantage of it.

They had all sorts of charming ways to try and discover if they would marry in the coming year—and who their future husband might be. One tradition involved shaking an elderberry tree and listening for a dog’s bark, which was said to point to the direction of their future home. Another had them venturing to a pond or river at night, hoping to catch a glimpse of their beloved’s face in the water’s reflection.

➜ Advent wreath

Czech Advent, the month-long season leading up to Christmas, takes its name from the Latin word adventus, meaning "arrival." It is a special time for anticipating the coming of the Baby Jesus and preparing for the joyous Christmas celebrations.

Four Sundays before Christmas Eve, Czech families either make or buy Advent wreaths adorned with four candles. Each Sunday, an additional candle is lit on the wreath, symbolizing the countdown to Christmas.

➜ Christmas tree 

The Czech tradition of Christmas trees (vánoční stromeček) has its roots in Germany, where the first recorded tree appeared in Bremen in 1570. However, it took another 200 years for this custom to gain widespread popularity across all social groups in the Czech Republic.

Today, Christmas trees, whether real or artificial, hold a special place in the festivities. Many come from nearby forests, adorning town squares, marketplaces, and nativity scenes. Some Christmas markets even include live goats or sheep, giving visitors a chance to interact with and pet these animals.

At home, Christmas trees are usually smaller and carefully decorated with ornaments, tinsel, and sometimes a comet-shaped decoration at the top, a nod to timeless traditions. On December 24, families gather around these trees, their soft glow filling the room, as they wait for Ježíšek and share the joy of unwrapping presents together.

The tree stays up until January 6, the Day of the Three Kings, when it is un-decorated—a bittersweet moment that marks the close of another cherished Christmas season.

➜ Christmas Eve dinner 

After the first star appears in the sky, the family gathers for the much-anticipated Christmas Eve dinner.

The traditional Czech meal consists of fried carp served with potato salad, a dish steeped in tradition and nostalgia. In December, fish stalls pop up in towns across the Czech Republic, offering fresh carp for this special occasion.

That said, not everyone opts for carp these days. Some families prefer alternatives like schnitzel (řízek) or wine sausage (vinná klobása), blending tradition with modern tastes while keeping the festive spirit alive.

Check out more Czech Christmas recipes.

The Christmas Eve dinner has its own customs, for example, setting an extra place for unexpected guests. During the meal, no one leaves the table until everyone has finished eating.

Underneath the plate, a fish scale is placed for luck or money for a prosperous new year.

➜ Vánočka or Houska bread

Vánočka is a traditional sweet Christmas bread with raisins and almonds, braided in three layers. Get my proven recipe for Vánočka bread! Or, get inspired by my mom's Vánočka recipe.

In the past, vánočka carried deep symbolic significance and was considered a ritual dish. It was more than just a festive treat—it represented gratitude and reward. For example, during Christmas, landowners would gift Vánočka to their workers as a token of appreciation for their hard work throughout the year.

Today, Vánočka is traditionally baked on the day before Christmas Eve and served as part of a special holiday breakfast.

Interestingly, many Americans with Czech roots refer to Vánočka as Houska. This makes sense, as the term houska was historically used for vánočka in certain Czech regions. It is a reminder of how traditions and language evolve over time, especially as they travel across generations and borders.

Here is what we Czechs call houska these days.

➜ Fortune-Telling 

In Czech tradition, Christmas Eve is believed to hold a special magical power to reveal the future. To catch a glimpse of what lies ahead, families turn to age-old customs like melting lead to interpret its shapes, floating walnut-shell candles to see if they stay together, tossing a shoe toward the door to predict marriage, or slicing apples to uncover signs of luck or caution.

These simple yet enchanting rituals bring a sense of wonder and anticipation to the holiday, connecting the present with the wisdom of the past.

Melting lead

In Czech tradition, lead plays a special role in Christmas fortune-telling. Since it is a soft metal with a low melting point, a small piece of lead is melted on a spoon over a flame and then quickly poured into a bowl of cold water.

As the lead hardens, it forms unique shapes, and these shapes are carefully examined to predict the future. Each formation is open to interpretation, sparking curiosity and imagination as families gather to decode what the coming year might hold.

Floating candles in walnut shells

The Czechs had a lovely tradition of crafting candles from walnut shells. They would fill the shells halfway with wax and insert a small wick, making one candle for each family member to use during Christmas.

Once lit, these tiny floating candles were gently placed in a bowl of water. The way they floated held meaning—if the candles stayed together, it symbolized that the family would remain united in the coming year.

But if one candle drifted away from the rest, it was a sign that someone might leave the family, often for work or marriage.

Throwing a shoe towards the door

This charming custom was mostly observed by single girls. On Christmas Eve, they would take off one of their shoes, turn their back to the door, and toss the shoe over their shoulder.

The outcome held great significance—if the shoe landed pointing toward the door, it was a sign that the girl would marry in the coming year.

Slicing apples

On Christmas Eve, as the family gathered around the tree, a special tradition took place. The father would carefully slice an apple for each person, revealing its hidden message.

If the core showed a cross-shaped pattern, it was seen as a warning to be cautious, as misfortune might lie ahead in the new year. But if a star-shaped pattern appeared, it was a sign of luck and good health to come.

➜ Czech Christmas Cookies 

It is hard to imagine Christmas without delicious food, and in the Czech Republic, one tradition stands out: baking Christmas sweets!

These delightful little treats come in all sorts of shapes and flavors, each more tempting than the last. Many Czech women start baking as early as a month before Christmas, ensuring there is a beautiful tray of sweets ready to grace the festive table on Christmas Eve.

Some stick to a few classic favorites, while others go all out, creating more than twenty different varieties.

Some of traditional Czech Christmas sweets:

• Linzer cookies (linecké cukroví)
• Vanilla crescents (vanilkové rohlíčky)
• Walnut-shaped cookies (ořechy)

Or browse the category Czech cukroví

➜ Mistletoe

Another beloved tradition is the use of mistletoe. A sprig of this plant finds its way into many Czech Christmas decorations, often hung where people can walk beneath it—or steal a kiss underneath its leaves.

That kiss under the mistletoe is said to bring love and harmony throughout the coming year. And if you gift mistletoe to someone, it is believed to offer them protection from illness and invite good luck into their home. It is a simple yet heartfelt custom that adds a touch of magic to the holiday season.

You might also like: New Year’s Eve Traditions in the Czech Republic

➜ Little Jesus (Ježíšek)

In Czech tradition, Ježíšek, or Little Jesus, is the magical figure responsible for delivering Christmas presents. Unlike Santa Claus, Ježíšek is invisible and never depicted, adding an air of mystery to the holiday.

Following Czech customs, Ježíšek arrives on the evening of December 24. Families gather but leave the room where the Christmas tree stands, careful not to interrupt his work.

Once Ježíšek has placed the gifts under the tree, a bell rings, calling everyone back to begin unwrapping their presents.

➜ Christmas Eve Fasting 

The tradition of fasting at Christmastime traces its roots all the way back to the Celtic era, when the Czech people followed pagan customs. Fasting was a key part of the winter solstice celebrations, a time steeped in rituals and symbolism.

According to legend, anyone who refrained from eating until the first star appeared in the evening sky would be rewarded with something truly special—a vision of a golden pig.

But why a pig, you ask? In Celtic lore, the pig symbolized wealth and prosperity.

Clearly, Czech Christmas traditions are vibrant and deeply rooted. To experience these customs firsthand, visit the Czech Republic during the Christmas season or simply join a Czech community elsewhere!