New Year's Eve 2026 in a restaurant: tips and Czech traditions
In Czech, New Year's Eve is called Silvestr. In 2026 it falls on Thursday 31 December, and New Year's Day, a public holiday, on Friday 1 January 2027 – a long weekend for many. If you want to celebrate in a restaurant or pub, plan ahead.
Restaurant, pub or at home?
- A restaurant with a New Year's programme – often a set menu or ticket, music and a midnight toast.
- A pub without a programme – more relaxed, you pay for what you order. Good for a small group.
- At home – cheapest, but all the preparation is yours.
What to ask when booking
- Is there a special menu or entry fee, and what exactly does it include?
- Until what time is it open – can you stay after midnight?
- Is a deposit required and what are the cancellation terms?
- Can you order from the regular menu, or only the set menu?
- Is the table booked for the whole evening?
Check the 2026 New Year's offer of individual Potrefená husa locations directly with the restaurant. Addresses are on our locations page.
Getting home
After midnight taxis are in high demand and prices can be higher. Prague and Brno run night public transport – check the New Year's timetables in advance. Be careful with fireworks: many Czech cities restrict private pyrotechnics, so follow local rules.
Czech New Year traditions
- Lentils on New Year's Day – eat them and money will not run short all year.
- No poultry on New Year's Day – otherwise your luck will “fly away”. Enjoy goose in November instead – here's how.
- Pork and a lucky pig – the pig “roots forward”, bringing luck into the new year.
- Resolutions – ideally kept at least until the end of January.
Prague's Christmas markets on Old Town and Wenceslas Square stay open until 6 January 2027. More in Christmas markets in Prague and Brno.