Christmas in Brno: Three Christmas trees and over two hundred concerts

15 December 2023, 15:00
Christmas in Brno: Three Christmas trees and over two hundred concerts

On Friday, three Christmas trees in the centre of Brno will have their lights switched on. The first of which will be the Tree of the Republic on náměstí Svobody, which has been going on there for 99 years. The opening ceremony will be accompanied by wall-dancing and acrobats on stilts. The programme during Christmas in Brno will offer more than 200 concerts over 30 days in all the city’s squares. Performers include the Gustav Brom Radio Big Band, Hana Holišová and the New Time Orchestra, Igor Orozovič & Company and others.

The turning on of the Christmas lights at náměstí Svobody will kick off Christmas in Brno. This year it will take place on Friday, 24 November at 5:00 pm with the participation of representatives of the city, the Bishopric of Brno and other partners. However, the programme already begins at 4:00 pm, when the Brno Children's Choir under the direction of choirmaster Valerie Matašová will sing, and visitors will be welcomed to the square by stilt walkers from the Long Vehicle Circus. A somewhat unusual performance will be offered by the AirGym Art Company, who focus mainly on hanging acrobatics and will present wall-dancing, i.e. vertical dancing on the wall of a house. After the tree lighting ceremony, the Brno swing band Heart of Dixie, who have appeared on stages from Istanbul to Seville and earned the title of European Swing Artist 2020, will play.

The second tree to be illuminated will be the tree on Zelný Trh at 6:00 pm, followed by the tree on Moravské náměstí near Jošto at 7:00 pm, this year being the first time a Christmas tree has been placed there.

A full and varied programme awaits throughout the 30 days of the Christmas markets. More than 200 different performances will take place on stages in all the city’s squares. You will be able to hear folk, country, jazz, swing, pop and rock, and of course Christmas songs, including the popular Czech Republic Sings Christmas Carols (13 December). Events will take place every day on náměstí Svobody and Zelný Trh, and on Dominikánské náměstí from Thursday to Sunday in a more intimate spirit. The programme at náměstí Svobody will include performances by the Gustav Brom Radio Big Band (29 November), Hana Holišová and New Time Orchestra (1 December), Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra (9 December), Igor Orozovič & Company (10. 12.), Standa Hložek (13 December), Ventolin (17 December) and the legendary Pilgrims (20 December). Christmas in Brno traditionally closes on Saturday 23 December. The Czech Christmas Mass by Jan Jakub Ryba performed by the Czech Metropolitan Philharmonic Orchestra and the Brno Philharmonic Choir Beseda brněnská and soloists.

The programme on the various squares will be complemented by several other accompanying events. Brno is a proud bearer of textile history and many designers are still active here today. Open Fashion Studios invite you to take a peek into the studios of local designers for two days on the 1st and 2nd of December. You will have a unique opportunity to meet them in person, get a glimpse into their creative process, complete your wardrobe, or find original gifts for your loved ones.

On Saturday, 2 December , from 10:00 am, Jiří Halouzka, the carver and creator of the nativity scene, and his family will be holding a carving workshop on Dominikánské náměstí, and at 4:00 pm visitors can also hear the story of how the nativity scene was constructed directly from its creator.

Outside the city centre, there will also be Christmas markets at the Brno Exhibition Centre. From 8 to 17 December you will literally find a Christmas shopping centre with more than 200 vendors and a varied accompanying programme.

A Christmas programme of events for children (adults may enjoy it too) will take place on náměstí Svobody every day from 3:00 pm. The programme includes children's theatre, concerts and performances by children's groups.

Regular events will also be offered by the Christmas Village in the courtyard next to the Old Town Hall courtyard, which consists of child-sized Christmas stalls. On Fridays and Saturdays from 2:00 pm, activities and workshops will be prepared by the Brno Zoo, VIDA! science centre, Moravian Gallery in Brno or VESNA - women's educational association.

Christmas in the backyard will take place at Radnická 2 this year - a place in the very centre of the city but at the same time an oasis of peace and quiet. TIC BRNO together with the Mitte café offers a special programme for adults and families with children. You can listen to live author readings, roast a sausage on the fire, and there will also be a flea market. The entire courtyard will also be specially illuminated and the surrounding walls will be set in motion by a screen. The entrance to the courtyard is via the Mitte café or the TIC Gallery, so you can visit the exhibition or the local cinema.

All information can be found on the website and also in the Christmas in Brno app, which is available for both Android and iOS devices.

Opening times of stalls at individual markets

Náměstí Svobody: 11:00 am -9.45 pm

Dominikánské náměstí: 11:00 am - 9:45 pm

Gourmet Christmas in the courtyard of the Old Town Hall: Mon-Thurs 3:00-9:00 pm, Fri-Sun 10:00 am - 9:00 pm (in case of interest up to 9:45 pm)

Zelný trh: 10:00 am - 8:00 pm (until 10:00 pm in case of interest)

Moravské náměstí: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

Photo Robert Vystrčil

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