Open-air markets, the smell of mulled wine, sounds of music in the crisp winter air — there's no time like the Christmas holidays in Prague. This guide will help you plan your yuletide season around the best music, theater and liturgical events the Golden City has to offer.

— Compiled by Veronika Cebulová

Dec. 1

Emmeleia Chlor

Concert appearance by foreign choirs. Part of the International Advent and Christmas Music Festival

Kostel U Salvátora at 3

Romeo and Juliet

By Shakespeare

Estates Theater at 7

Candide

By Bernstein

State Opera at 7

Univers Zero (B)

Part of Festival Alternativa

Divadlo Archa at 8

Petr Zeman Quintet

Agharta Jazz Centrum at 9

Impuls

Akord at 9

Dec. 2

Abonent concert

Talich quartet. Works by Mozart, Ravel, Dvořák.

Klášter sv. Anežky České at 7:30

Mozart Gala

Prague Chamber choir and Czech Chamber Philharmonia, Vojtěch Spurný, conductor. Dagmar Pecková, mezzo-soprano; Ivan Kusnjer, baritone; Alexandra Spurná, soprano

Kongress Hall Prague at 7

Advent concert

Foreign choirs. Part of the International Advent and Christmas Music Festival

Staroměstské náměstí at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The last step before — Jaro Viňarský

Mi non sabir-Karin Ponties

Winners of the 2006 Czech Dance Platform Spectator's Prize

Ponec Theater at 8

Night Of The Sultans

Dance performance

T-Mobile Arena at 7

Czech-German Advent concert

Symphony Orchestra of Czech Radio

Friedemann Riehle, conductor; Václav Hudeček, violin; Rainer Kuchl, violin. Works by Strauss, Skrjabin,

J. S. Bach

Rudolfinum at 7

Romeo and Juliet

By Prokofiev

National Theater at 2 and 7

Aida

By Verdi

State Opera at 7

Le Nozze Di Figaro (Figarova svatba)

By Mozart

Estates Theater at 7

The Magic Flute (Magická flétna)

By Mozart

Estates Theater at 1

Soixante Etages, Pateras/Baxter/Brown, Sandy Dillon

Part of Alternativa festival

Archa Theatre at 8

Nokia Freestyle Motokros

Sazka Arena at 7

Prague Free Fashion Weekend

Roxy NoD at 1 p.m.

Dec. 2-3

Mikuláš on the Train

Three rides each day with Mikuláš (in costume) walking through the train with small presents for good children and coal from the steam engine for the bad ones

1st departure 10 a.m. at Braník, 10:23 a.m. at Krč, 10:33 a.m. at Vršovice, 10:46 a.m. at Hl. nádraží, 11:02 a.m. at Libeň, 11:38 a.m. at Krč, 11:43 a.m. arrival at Braník

2nd departure 1 at Praha Braník, 1:15 at Vršovice, 1:38 at Smíchov, 2:06 at Radotín, 2:22 at Krč, 2:28 arrival at Braník

3rd departure 4 at Braník, 4:10 at Vršovice, 4:20 at Smíchov severní nástupiště, 5 at Zličín, 5:24 at Smíchov severní nástupiště, 5:51 at Vršovice, 6:07 arrival at Braník

Dec. 3

Rosa Bohemicae

Soubor Collegium Marianum. Jana Semerádová, art director; Hana Blažíková, soprano; Markéta Cukrová, alto. Works by Zelenka, Rovenský, Božan, Reichenauer.

Barokní knihovní sál Collegium Marianum at 4 and 7:30

La Traviata

By Verdi

National Theater at 7

Rusalka

By Dvořák

State Opera at 7

Advent concert

National Theater at 2

The Government Inspector

By Gogol

Estates Theater at 1

The School For Scandal

By Sheridan

Estates Theater at 7

Hana Hegerová

Christmas concert

Divadlo Kalich at 7:30

Kora et le Mechanix, Irena a Vojtěch Havlovi (CZ), Eric Roos (USA)

Divadlo Archa at 8

International Christmas Bazaar

Hilton Prague at 10

Prague Free Fashion Weekend

NoD Roxy at 1

Dec. 4

Prague Philharmonia

Láska básníkova

Petr Matuzsek, baritone; Roman Pallas, piano; Milan Friedl, spoken performance

Philharmonia Salon at 7:30

Pražákovo kvarteto

Works by Mozart, Zemlinsky, Brahms

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum at 7:30

Don Giovanni

By Mozart

Estates Theater at 7

Chiara Girolomini: Zero Orizzontale

Ponec Theater at 8

Dora Video, Satoru Wono, Chikanari Shukuka

Japanese alternative

Palác Akropolis at 7

Madfinger

Funk

Agharta Jazz Centrum at 9

Hana Hegerová

Christmas concert

Divadlo Kalich at 7:30

Benny Lackner Trio (USA)

Jazz from Brooklyn

Akord at 9

Dec. 5

Bohuslav Martinů Days Festival

This year, in honor of Pierre Fournier. Works by Martinů, Beethoven, Furé, Debussy.

Tomáš Jamník, cello; Jean Fonda Fournier, piano

Suk Hall, Rudolfinum, at 7:30

Czech Chamber Orchestra

Martin Turnovský, conductor; Hana Jonášová, soprano; Marta Beňačková, alto; Tomáš Černý, tenor; Jiří Sulženko, bass. Prague Chamber Orchestra; Jaroslav Brych, choir conductor. Works by Mozart, Haydn, K. B. Kopřiva and V. J. Kopřiva

Kostel sv. Šimona a Judy at 7:30

Rigoletto

By Verdi

State Opera at 7

Pygmalión

By George Bernard Shaw

Estates Theater at 7

Velká Mikulášská show

Staroměstské náměstí at 5

4tet

Jiří Korn, Jiří Škorpík, David Uličník, Dušan Kollár

Divadlo Kalich at 7

Duo Hug / Blondy (CH / F)

Palác Akropolis at 7

Dec. 6

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Serge Baudo, conductor. Zdeňka, Jan and Martin Hršelovi, piano soloists. Works by Mozart, Eben

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 7:30

Richard III

By Shakespeare

Estates Theater at 7

Kouzelná flétna

By Mozart

State Opera at 7

Irena and Vojtěch Havlovi recitals

Atrium at 7:30

Chinaski

Lucerna Music Bar at 8

Led Zeppelin revival

Vagon at 7

Dec. 7

Vlasta Redl, Slávek Janoušek, Samson Lenk

Kostel sv. Šimona a Judy at 8

Czech Philharmonic

Zdeněk Mácal, conductor; Garrick Ohlsson, piano. Works by Martinů, Brahms

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, at 7:30

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Serge Baudo, conductor. Zdeňka, Jan and Martin Hršelovi, piano soloists and orchestra

Works by Mozart

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 7:30

Si eccelente ... (Mozart Gala)

Richard Hein, conductor; Jaromír Valášek, clarinet and soloists of the State Opera

State Opera at 7

Far and Wide

By Arthur Schnitzler

Estates Theater at 7

Don Quijote z Hakušu

Yasunari Tamai and Vladimír Javorský

Archa Theatre at 8

Chinaski

Lucerna Music Bar at 8

KáNaan

Palác Akropolis at 7:30

Dance Or Die (GER), No name Desire, Immunology (CZ)

Rock Café at 8

Dec. 8

Rožmberská kapela

Ensemble of ancient instruments. Medieval music.

Mário Mesany, conductor

Klášter sv. Anežky České at 7:30

Advent concert

Part of the International Advent and Christmas

Music Festival Pražské Vánoce 2006. Tallin University Female Choir (Estonia), The Primorska Academic Choir Ljubljana (Slovenia), "Musica Corde" Choir and African Band (South Africa)

Kostel sv. Šimona a Judy at 6:30

Czech Philharmonic

Zdeněk Mácal, conductor; Garrick Ohlsson, piano. Works by Martinů, Brahms

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, at 7:30

Don Pasquale

By Gaetano Donizetti

Estates Theater at 7

XII Prague Industrial Festival

International gathering of avant-garde musicians and performers

Rock Café at 7

Don Quijote z Hakušu

Yasunari Tamai and Vladimír Javorský

Archa Theatre at 8

Ministry Of Sound

15th birthday party

Mecca at 7

Dec. 9

Zdeněk Mácal, conductor. Works by Martinů, Smetana

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum at 3

Ave Maria, W. A. Mozart-Ave Verum

Naděžda Chrobáková, soprano; Miloš Guth, tenor; Markéta Šmejkalová, organ. Works by J. S. Bach, Handel, Haydn, Dvořák, Cherubini, Vivaldi, Verdi

Kostel sv. Františka z Assisi at 8

Christmas concert

Daniela Demuthová, mezzo-soprano; Miloslav Laštovka, trumpet; Daniela Valtová Kosinová, organ. Works by J. S. Bach, Handel, Marcello, Ryba

Atrium at 3

Don Giovanni

By Mozart

Estates Theater at 2 and 7

The Nutcracker — A Christmas Carol

(Louskáček — Vánoční příběh) by Tchaikovsky

National Theater at 2 and 6

XII Prague Industrial Festival

International lineup of avant-garde musicians and

performers

Rock Café at 7

International Women's Weekend

World and other music

Archa Theatre at 8

Kryštof

Sony Ericsson Rubikon Tour 2006

T-Mobile Arena at 7:30

Fringe Music Nights

Maria Tecce — Torch Song. Jazz-cabaret show

Baráčnická rychta at 8:30

Pacifik

Country

Gong at 7:30

Dec. 10

By Friedrich Schiller

Estates Theater at 7:30

Aida

By Verdi

State Opera at 4

The Harlem Gospel Singers

Kongress Hall at 8

Chairé

Josef Krček, director

Atrium at 5

Joe Karafiát + Instant Flight (UK)

Vagón at 7

Dec. 11

Prague Philharmonia

Jakub Hrůša, conductor; Adam Skoumal, piano. Works by Schumann, Skoumal, Shostakovich

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, at 7:30

A Midsummer Night's Dream

By Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

State Opera at 11 and 7

Don Giovanni

By Mozart

Estates Theater at 7

The Nutcracker — A Christmas Carol

(Louskáček — Vánoční příběh) by Tchaikovsky

National Theater at 7

Moliére

Berg Chamber Orchestra

Peter Vrábel, conductor. Works by Strauss, Lully, Franz

Martinů Hall, Lichtenštejnský palác, at 7:30

Hana Hegerová

Christmas concert

Divadlo Kalich at 7:30

Jablkoň

Žižkov, Atrium at 7:30

Dec. 12

Christmas concert

Miroslav Vilímec, violin; Jana Boušková, harp. Works by Mozart, Rossler-Rosetti, Vilímec, Milstein, Pazour, Fauré, Saint-Saens, Renie, Mendelson-Bartholdy

Suk Hall, Rudolfinum, at 7:30

Christmas concert

Ivan Ženatý, violin; Igor Ardašev, piano. Works by Shostakovich, Mozart

Kostel sv. Šimona a Judy at 7:30

Nabucco

By Verdi

State Opera at 7

Arcadia

By Tom Stoppard

Estates Theater at 7

Hana Hegerová

Christmas concert

Divadlo Kalich at 7:30

Fringe Comedy Nights

Topping and Butch (UK)

Divadlo na Prádle at 8:30

IamX (UK)

Lucerna Music Bar at 9

Top

Dec. 13

Czech Philharmonic

Manfred Honeck, conductor. Works by Bruckner

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, at 7:30

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Jiří Kout, conductor; Eva Urbanová, soprano. Works by Mozart

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům at 7:30

The Magic Flute (Kouzelná flétna)

By Mozart

State Opera at 7

Chamber choir Pražští pěvci

Works by Poulenc, Nees, Honneger

Atrium at 7:30

Le Nozze Di Figaro (Figarova svatba)

By Mozart

Estates Theater at 7

Laibach

Roxy at 8

Pink

I'm Not Dead Tour

Sazka Arena at 8

Mig 21

Lucerna Music Bar at 9

Dec. 14

Zdeněk Mácal, conductor; Garrick Ohlsson, piano. Works by Martinů, Brahms

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum at 7:30

Prague Symphony Orchestra

Jiří Kout, conductor; Eva Urbanová, soprano. Works by Mozart

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 8

Rigoletto

By Verdi

State Opera at 7

Hradišan and Jiří Pavlica

Moravian folk songs

Kostel sv. Šimona a Judy at 7:30

Pygmalión

By George Bernard Shaw

Estates Theater at 7

Onegin

By Prokofiev

National Theater at 7

Silence/ Handa Gote

Premiere

Divadlo Alfréd ve Dvoře at 8

Christmas saxophone quartet Bohemia

Atrium at 7:30

Anna K

Lucerna Music Bar at 8

Dec. 15

The best of Gershwin

Czech Collegium and soloists

Obecní dům at 8

La traviata

By Verdi

State Opera at 7

The Government Inspector

By Gogol

Estates Theater at 7

Silence / Handa Gote

Divadlo Alfréd ve Dvoře at 8

Dec. 16

Trio ArteMiss

Christmas concert with Alžběta Poláčková, soprano

Lichtenštejn Palace at 10:30

Andreas Haefliger

Works by Beethoven

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum at 7:30

The Bartered Bride (Prodaná nevěsta)

By Bedřich Smetana

National Theater at 2 and 7

Carmen

By Bizet

State Opera at 7

Ballet Mania

By Matějů

Estates Theater at 2 and 7

VerTe Dance: The Brave (2006 Sazka Prizewinner)

A discovery in dance

Ponec Theater at 4 and 6

Silence/ Handa Gote

Divadlo Alfréd ve Dvoře at 8

Dec. 17

Carol service

With parts of Ryba's Christmas mass in English

Kostel u Klimenta at 6 p.m.

Kuhnův dětský sbor

Christmas songs and carols for children featuring choir and harp. Jiří Chvála, conductor; Jana Boučková, harp. Works by Fischer, Kurz, Britten.

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, at 5

Spirituál Kvintet

Christmas concert

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 7:30

Cinderella

By Prokofiev

State Opera at 2 and 7

Česká mše vánoční Jana Jakuba Ryby

Chamber choir Pražští pěvci and soloists; Stanislav Mistr, conductor

Atrium at 5 and 7:30

The School For Scandal

By Sheridan

Estates Theater at 7

Richard III

By Shakespeare

Estates Theater at 7

The sun has set

(Benefit evening for the children's

hematology and oncology units at Motol hospital)

Ponec Theater at 6

Beatfest

Krausberry, Michal Prokop and Framus 5, Blue Effect, Vladimír Mišík ETC and others

Lucerna Palace at 5

Christina Aguilera

Back To Basics Tour 2006

Sazka Arena at 8

The Side Urns (UK / GER)

Garage blues, dirty funk

Akord at 9

Dec. 18

Richard III

By Shakespeare

Estates Theater at 7

Rusalka

By Antonín Dvořák

National Theater at 8

Irena Budweiserová and friends

Christmas concert

Žižkov, Atrium at 7

Living Colour

Retro Music Hall at 8

Dec. 19

Czech Chamber Philharmonic

Vojtěch Spurný, conductor and organ; Zdeněk Adam, oboe; Petr Hojač, trumpet. Works by Charpentier, Corelli, Vejvanovský, J. S. Bach, Handel, Albinoni, Corrette

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 8

První koncert nového orchestru

Rudolfinum Jazz Orchestra and guests

Milan Svoboda, conductor. In honor of Jaroslav Ježek. Works by Svoboda, Růžička, Viklický.

Dvořák Hall, Rudolfinum, at 7:30

Pygmalión

By George Bernard Shaw

Estates Theater at 7

Christmas concert

Jiřina Pokorná, organ; Pavel Hůla, Lucie Sedláková-Hůlová, violin; Martin Sedlák, cello. Works by Mozart, Galuppi, Černohorský, Vivaldi, Kopřiva, Dvořák

Atrium at 7:30

Dec. 20

Jiří Kout, conductor; Jaroslava Pěchočová, piano. Works by Brahms, Beethoven, Strauss

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 7:30

Nabucco

By Verdi

State Opera at 7

Ibbur, Or A Prague Mystery

By Matějů

Estates Theater at 7

Tata Bojs

Delta at 8

Visací zámek

Vagón at 7

Dec. 21

Jan Chalupecký, conductor. Film music

Kostel sv. Šimona a Judy at 7:30

Carmen

By Bizet

State Opera at 7

The Government Inspector

By Gogol

Estates Theater at 7

Samson et Dalila

Opera by Camille Saint- Saens, first

premiere

National Theater at 7

Linha singers

Jiří Linha, director. Works by Rejcha, Schubert, Marcello, Haydn, Benda, Kolovrátek, Ryba

Atrium at 7:30

Monkey Business

Lucerna at 8

Spirit of Africa

Lucerna Music Bar at 8

Psí vojáci

Vagón at 7

Dec. 22

Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra

Christmas concert

Vlastimil Mareš, conductor; Kazuko Nagatomi, piano; Josef Popelka, organ; Virginie Walterová, soprano; Jitka Soběhartová, alto; Vojtěch Lecián, tenor; Filip Bandžak, bass; Canti di Praga, Jiří Chvála, choir conductor. Works by J. J. Ryba, Mozart

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 7:30

Samson et Dalila

By Saint-Saens, second premiere.

National Theater at 7

Vlasta Redl and KDJ Concert

Michal Pavlíček, guest

Lucerna at 8

Janek Ledecký

Christmas concert

Divadlo Kalich at 8

Dec. 23

Ave Maria, W. A. Mozart — Ave Verum

Naděžda Chrobáková, soprano; Miloš Guth, tenor; Markéta Šmejkalová, organ

Works by J. S. Bach, Handel, Haydn, Dvořák, Cherubini, Vivaldi, Verdi

Kostel sv. Františka z Assisi at 8

Orchestra and ballet of Czech Collegium and soloists

František Pok, conductor. Works by Ravel, Bizet

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům at 8

Top

Dec. 24

23:00 Prohrála v kartách

Vagon at 10 p.m.

Dec. 25

Christmas concert

Linha Singers. Jiří Linha, director

Kostel sv. Šimony a Judy at 7:30

Pueri Gaudentes (boys choir)

Christmas concert

State Opera at 3

Arcadia

By Tom Stoppard

Estates Theater at 1

Romeo and Juliet

By Shakespeare

Estates Theater at 7

Anatomy of a Kiss

Mime show

Metro Theater at 8

Dec. 26

Baroque Christmas

Prague cathedral choir and orchestra

Eva Forejtová, Pavla Kšicová, Ondřej Šmíd, Tomáš Jindra. Josef Kšica, conductor; Liběna Séquardtová, Ivan Séquardt, oboe; Luboš Hucek, bassoon; Pavel Nejtek, bass; Josef Kšica, harpsichord. Works by

J. S. Bach, Zelenka, Ryba

Kostel sv. Šimona a Judy at 4

Pueri Gaudentes (boys choir)

Christmas concert

State Opera at 3

Rusalka

By Dvořák

State Opera at 7

La Clemenza Di Tito (Titus)

By Mozart

Estates Theater at 7

The Nutcracker—A Christmas Carol

(Louskáček—Vánoční příběh) by Tchaikovsky.

National Theater at 2 and 6

Anatomy of a Kiss

Mime show

Metro Theater at 8

Dec. 27

Eliška Toperczerová, soprano; Vladimír Okénko, tenor; Drahomíra Matzner-Chvátalová, organ

Kostel sv. Františka z Assisi at 8

Rigoletto

By Verdi

State Opera at 8

The Best from Czech and World music

Czech Collegium and soloists. Works by Smetana, Dvořák, Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart

Vinárna, Obecní dům, at 8

Resonet in laudibus

Jana Semerádová, director; Marta Fadljevičová,

soprano; Markéta Cukrová, alto

Barokní knihovní sál Collegium Mariaum at 4 and 7:30

Pygmalión

By George Bernard Shaw

Estates Theater at 7

The Nutcracker—A Christmas Carol

(Louskáček—Vánoční příběh) by Tchaikovsky

National Theater at 3:30 and 7

4tet

Jiří Korn, Jiří Škorpík, David Uličník, Dušan Kollár

Divadlo Kalich at 7

Dec. 28

Orchestra and ballet of Czech Collegium and soloists

František Pok, conductor. Works by Ravel, Bizet

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 8

Carmen

By Bizet

State Opera at 7

The Government Inspector

By Gogol

Estates Theater at 7

The Nutcracker—A Christmas Carol

(Louskáček—Vánoční příběh) by Tchaikovsky.

National Theater at 7

4tet

Jiří Korn, Jiří Škorpík, David Uličník, Dušan Kollár

Divadlo Kalich at 8

Anatomy of a Kiss

Mime show

Metro Theater at 8

Dec. 29

Christmas songs, Ave Maria

Eliška Toperczerová, soprano; Vladimír Okénko, tenor; Drahomíra Matzner-Chvátalová, organ

Kostel sv. Františka z Assisi at 8

Netopýr

By Strauss

State Opera at 7

Richard III

By Shakespeare

Estates Theater at 7

Samson et Dalila

By Camille Saint-Saens

National Theater at 7

Anatomy of a Kiss

Mime show

Metro Theater at 8

Dec. 30

Prague Symphony Orchestra

New Year's concert. Aleksandar Markovič, conductor; Dvořák's Slavonic Dances

Smetana Hall, Obecní dům, at 7:30

Camerata filarmonica Bohemia

Jiří Havlík, conductor; Jaroslav Kubita, bassoon. Works by Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelsson-Bartoldy

Kongresové centrum ČNB at 7:30

Die Fledermaus (Netopýr)

By Strauss

State Opera at 7

Richard III

By Shakespeare.

Estates Theater at 11

Anatomy of a Kiss

Mime show

Metro Theater at 8

Dec. 31

New Year's Concert 2007

Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Friedemann Riehle, conductor; Anda-Louise Bogza, soprano. Works by Strauss, Mozart, Dvořák, Smetana, Puccini

Obecní dům at 4

Die Fledermaus Gala

By Strauss

State Opera at 8

Ballet Mania

By Matějů

Estates Theater at 3

Silvestr '80s and '90s

DJ Neumann

Lucerna Music Bar at 8

Transeuropean Sexpress

Blues

Akord at 9

New Year's Eve Blowout

U malého Glena at 10

Silvestr

Staroměstské náměstí at 8

Silvestr

Vagón at 7

Jan. 1

New Year's Concert 2007

Prague Philharmonic Orchestra

Friedemann Riehle, conductor; Anda-Louise Bogza,

soprano. Works by Strauss, Mozart, Dvořák, Smetana, Puccini