Writer: Helena Bergström
Updated: October 2026 | Do you want to experience a Christmas market in the Czech Republic, but perhaps discover something other than Prague? Then we can recommend Olomouc, a beautiful historic city in the eastern part of the country. Here you will find an atmospheric Christmas market with crafts, local delicacies and not least lots of hot punch!
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Christmas market in Olomouc – in a beautiful historic setting
A big part of the experience of visiting a Christmas market is of course the setting, and here Olomouc really has something special to offer. The city's historic center is full of beautiful buildings, church towers, fountains and impressive monuments.
The Christmas market spreads around the two central squares, Upper Square (Horní náměstí) and Lower Square (Dolní náměstí). The Upper Square is home to the mighty Trinity Column, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We were very impressed with Olomouc when we visited the city. It is a place that may not be as well known as Prague, but is definitely worth discovering. Read more in our report about Olomouc - a gem in the eastern Czech Republic.
Crafts, Christmas decorations and local delicacies
The Olomouc Christmas market may not be as big or well-known as the Christmas markets in Prague, but it is very cozy. Here you can stroll between the market stalls and look at Christmas tree decorations, crafts and various treats.
We found, among other things, nice Christmas decorations, locally produced wine and stalls with jam, honey and other delicacies. It's a nice place to look for a little different Christmas gifts or just enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
When we were here, there was also music and activities for children, including carousels and pony rides. The exact activities offered may of course vary between years.
Hot punch belongs at the Christmas market in Olomouc
Something we particularly noticed at the Christmas market in Olomouc were all the stalls selling hot punch, or punch as the drink is called in Czech. There seemed to be almost as many varieties as there were vendors!
Punch is served hot and usually contains alcohol, but recipes vary with different types of fruit, spices and flavorings. So it is not the same as Swedish punch.
Peter of course took the opportunity to try a mug. And if you prefer to drink beer, you are in the Czech Republic, after all, where it is rarely difficult to find a good beer!
When is the Christmas market in Olomouc?
The Olomouc Christmas Market usually opens in the second half of November and runs until Christmas. Exact dates, opening hours and activities may vary from year to year.
The market is located in the middle of the historic city center, making it easy to combine a visit to the Christmas market with a walk among the city's attractions.
Travel to Olomouc in the Czech Republic
Olomouc is located in the eastern Czech Republic, in the Moravian region. You can get there by car, but it is also easy to take the train from Prague. By direct train, the journey takes about two to two and a half hours, depending on the departure.
If you want to discover more Christmas markets in the country, you can also read our report about Christmas market in Prague. We have also collected inspiration for more atmospheric Christmas markets in Europe.
You might also like:
Christmas markets in Sweden – 12 cozy Christmas markets to visit
Facts about lussekatter - 12 things you (maybe) didn't know?
13 dishes on the Christmas table - the history of Christmas food
European cities in Christmas splendor – 12 beautiful cities to visit in December
The Yule Goat, the Yule Witch and the Yule Cat – meet Europe's Christmas creatures
Regional specialities on the Christmas table – from Norrbotten to Skåne
English (UK) 
Svenska
4000mil says:
Christmas markets are a neglected chapter for us. Apart from Sweden, we have actually only visited Tallinn in this case. Prague I could imagine, looking forward to that post.
27 November 2016 - 7:15
Lennart says:
Markets are great fun!
27 November 2016 - 7:44
Britt-Marie Lundgren says:
Olomouc certainly looks like a gem worth a detour no matter the season.
This year we have to make do with "Jul i Stad" in Falköping today and the Skansen Christmas market in two weeks.
Looking forward to reports from Prague
27 November 2016 - 8:35
Geddfish says:
So fun with a slightly less local Christmas market! Here the eyes seem to be glittering 😀.
And the local wine, the bottles looked like nice whiskey bottles 😉.
Happy Advent and Sign Sunday!
27 November 2016 - 8:39
admin says:
4000 miles, Tallinn I could also imagine! We were in Riga at the Christmas market last year, and it was cosy. Will return soon about Prague!
Lennart, it's nice! And this time of year is definitely brightened up 🙂 .
Britt-Marie, Christmas markets in Sweden are also nice! Will return soon about Prague 🙂
Geddfish, wishing you a nice Sunday too!
27 November 2016 - 8:41
Matts Torebring says:
What a difference from the Swedish Castle Fairs, which we have tried to drive around to. Fantastic!
27 November 2016 - 8:47
Inga Magnusson says:
Looks cosy! Have a nice first advent!
27 November 2016 - 8:55
Imelda says:
Christmas markets should be grand, ornate stalls and lots to look at, eat and drink. Love the Bremen Christmas market!
27 November 2016 - 8:56
Husisblogg says:
Looks very nice. If I know my owners correctly, they would have bought a couple of bags of groceries, drinks etc.
Wishing you a Happy First Advent!
Ps. The owners thank you for yesterday's tip about Brno, it is also on the note now. Ds
27 November 2016 - 9:04
admin says:
Matts, what about Swedish castle fairs...?
Inga M, thank you very much!
Imelda, the Bremen Christmas market sounds interesting. Germany is good at Christmas markets! We'll tell you soon about Prague's Christmas markets, which are of course much bigger than in Olomouc!
Husisblog, food and drink is usually what attracts us the most too!
27 November 2016 - 9:10
Steve says:
High cosiness factor. The only thing missing is some white on the ground. Wishing you a nice First Advent!
27 November 2016 - 9:41
Ama de casa says:
Truly a beautiful market in beautiful surroundings! Too bad it was so expensive to buy something drinkable... 😉.
27 November 2016 - 9:45
OnTrip.dk says:
No, have never really thought about going to a Christmas market in the Czech Republic. But thanks for the inspiration, it looks really cosy and must definitely be considered 😉 Have fun down there.
/Annette
27 November 2016 - 10:02
Lena & Jan says:
Seems cosy in that city and hot punch is good in the cold weather, thanks for the nice report! I think you will probably see some Christmas theatre games somewhere, the Czech Republic has many theatre schools. Wishing you a good and interesting 1st Advent!
27 November 2016 - 10:16
åsa i åsele says:
Looks lovely and that dessert you posted on Instagram looked more than good 🙂 food and drink is actually important 😀.
This afternoon we will probably go to the local heritage area and Elin will leave her Christmas wish list for Santa 🙂 .
A very small Christmas market with local produce and school classes selling cakes and other things, but it's a tradition 🙂 .
Have a nice 1st Advent <3
27 November 2016 - 10:48
nils-åke says:
Have a nice first advent! Christmas market next week for us at Fredriksdal
27 November 2016 - 11:58
Znogge says:
Christmas markets are always nice. Remember there was a lot of glühwein when we were in Prague...
Have a great 1st Advent!
27 November 2016 - 12:14
BP says:
That Christmas market looks really cosy and beats ours at Stortorget and the Christmas market at Täby Park by far. Your market is very similar to those in Gdansk and Riga. Just imagine - in the Czech Republic you can buy wine with alcohol in it at a market....
Punch - I wonder if it tasted like Swedish punch (sweet, slushy) or like the German and Austrian variant called glühwein. Guessing the latter;-)
27 November 2016 - 12:53
JoY says:
The great thing about Christmas markets abroad is all the exciting food and drink you can munch on.
Hugs from a snowstorm with cold winds -1
27 November 2016 - 14:40
Veiken says:
Imagine how many great places you miss when you're travelling. It is important to get tips from all sides! Small towns and villages can be gems and you experience the culture in a completely different way! 🙂
27 November 2016 - 15:49
admin says:
Steve, you too!
Ama de casa, haha, we live in Sweden, so .... not that expensive for us 😉.
Ontrip, thanks for that! Have fun!
Lena & Jan, there seems to be a lot of culture and music and stuff here. Haven't seen any Christmas plays though, but it is a limited time we are here.
Åsa in Åsele, food and drinks are an important part of the trip, we think! Important to submit the wish list to Santa in good time! 🙂
Nils-Åke, thank you and hope you enjoy the Christmas market!
Znogge, it is good with gluwein when it is cold! 🙂
BP, the punch was not like Swedish punch but more like gluhwein (but not really).
JoY, isn't it cosy! Wow, is that the weather!????
Veiken, yes, it is easy to end up in the big and most famous places, but there are many little unknown gems!
27 November 2016 - 15:57
Kors och Tvärs says:
Christmas markets are often nice, at least the few I have visited. Nice to see something other than Swedish homemade mustard that is standard here at home 🙂 Nice that it is not so cold that you freeze your feet off!
27 November 2016 - 16:38
Lena i Wales says:
Looks like a nice Christmas market!
As a tour guide, I have visited countless Christmas markets in Germany over many years, but never in the Czech Republic.
It is also nice that there are some "other" things to do and it is important that it is in a beautiful environment as well.
Wishing you a faithful Advent evening!
27 November 2016 - 16:58
admin says:
Across the board, it's been pretty mild and nice, and no, no Swedish mustard 😉.
Lena in Wales, I can understand that you have been around many Christmas markets then! Which countries have you been to, and where are your favourite Christmas markets?
27 November 2016 - 17:33
LinizTravel says:
Oh cosy! I love Christmas markets 🙂 would have been in Hamburg this weekend but had to cancel as the program was a little too massive my little one! So we jumped off! But maybe some other Christmas market this year! Isf in Stockholm! Hugs
27 November 2016 - 19:19
Ruth i Virginia says:
Christmas markets are something that hasn't caught on here.
We have something similar in our Community Centre, but it is
does not attract. They sell home-made trinkets (Ama's word), such as
you can do without.
The one you show photos from looks very nice. Colourful!
And just the right size. It will be interesting to see the market in Prague.
-Lovely sunny day here in Northern Virginia.
27 November 2016 - 19:29
Deciree says:
It is nice in Prague and fun with the Christmas market 🙂 .
27 November 2016 - 21:23
Travelbug.se says:
Oh how cosy with a Christmas market! I would love to visit Prague and the Czech Republic, seems lovely!
27 November 2016 - 21:54
Susjos says:
What nice pictures from the Christmas market! Punsch is so good, did it taste like our Swedish?
Went to Berlin for a Christmas market, and there was plenty of gluwein to drink!... How to spell it! Good night and sleep well!
27 November 2016 - 23:59
admin says:
Liniztravel, I can understand that the Hamburg trip would have been a bit hectic. Hope you get the chance to stop by a Swedish Christmas market instead!
Ruth in Virginia, interesting that Christmas markets haven't really caught on "over there". Here it seems to get bigger every year almost ... Gets a nice atmosphere I think, and makes people move outside even though it's winter and cold.
Deciree, we will report soon from the Christmas market in Prague! 🙂
Travelbug, Prague is a fantastic city, but also the rest of the Czech Republic has a lot to offer, which many may forget! (And there you don't have to be crowded with as many tourists as in Prague either ;)).
Susjos, "punch" in the Czech Republic is a hot drink and tastes more like gluhwein, but not quite like that either. There seem to be lots of different recipes and mixtures as well ...
28 November 2016 - 7:27
Elisabeth says:
Seems like a nice place to try!
29 November 2016 - 21:34