Advent in the Slovácko region has a special kind of magic, and the Christmas markets in Uherské Hradiště, Czech Republic will quickly win you over. This picturesque Moravian town offers visitors not only a traditional festive atmosphere but also plenty of folklore, great food and a rich cultural program.
If you’re looking for ideas for original gifts, or you just want to get in the holiday mood, you really shouldn’t miss Masaryk Square. We’ve put together a summary of all the practical information you need: exactly when to go, where to park, and what you shouldn’t miss at the stalls.
Summary for those short on time
- Where the markets are held: The main venue is Masaryk Square right in the town center.
- When to go: Small Market from November 27, 2026 to January 6, 2027; Big Christmas Market from December 12–22, 2026.
- Two markets: The event is split into a long-running Small Market and a shorter Big Christmas Market in mid-December.
- Tree lighting: On Friday, November 27, 2026, on Masaryk Square.
- What to try: Traditional Slovácko pastries, trdelník, mulled wine and, to warm up, the local slivovitz plum brandy.
- Program for families: Kids will love Santa’s Heavenly Office and plenty of creative workshops.
- Where to stay: An ideal choice in the center is Hotel Maxi or Hotel Slunce.
- Nearby trips: Combine your market visit with a trip to Velehrad or the Modrá open-air archaeological museum.
The full destination guide: Czechia — guide and what to see
All 2026 Christmas markets: a calendar of dates and tips on markets across Europe
Where to stay in Uherské Hradiště
If you decide to combine your visit to the Christmas markets with a weekend stay in Slovácko, we recommend looking for accommodation right in the center. You’ll be just a few steps from the stalls and won’t have to worry about complicated parking. Here are a few tried-and-tested tips on where to rest your head:
- Hotel Maxi: a beautiful hotel with a great location and excellent reviews.
- Hotel Slunce: a popular staple with its own restaurant and friendly staff.
- Hotel Koníček: comfortable accommodation within walking distance of Masaryk Square.
Tree lighting and market opening
The official Christmas tree lighting is traditionally the biggest draw of the whole Advent season. In Uherské Hradiště, the tree will be lit this year on Friday, November 27, 2026, on Masaryk Square, the very same day the Small Christmas Market kicks off.
Last year the tree was lit on November 28, 2025; this year the lighting is planned for Friday, November 27, 2026. For the most up-to-date information, it’s worth following the official town website, where the program is published first.
💡 Tip: If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, arrive at the square well ahead of time. The center tends to get really packed during the tree-lighting ceremony.
When and where the markets take place in Uherské Hradiště
The festive fun traditionally happens in the historic heart of town on Masaryk Square. The whole event is split into two parts that flow into one another but differ in their offerings and accompanying program. Throughout Advent and the Christmas holidays, the so-called Small Market runs. It usually starts at the end of November, with the stalls staying open until the beginning of January. Opening hours are typically every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, so you can easily grab a hot drink even after work in the afternoon.
The real highlight of the program, though, is the Big Christmas Market. It usually lasts just over a week in mid-December – last year it ran from December 13 to 22. During this time the square fills with additional stalls and the program really picks up. This year, the Big Christmas Market runs from December 12 to 22, 2026.
Cultural program and entertainment for kids
The town prepares a varied citywide cultural program that lets you breathe in the typical Slovácko atmosphere. Expect theater performances, concerts and shows by local folklore ensembles. Cimbalom folk music is simply part of Uherské Hradiště, even in winter.
For the youngest visitors there’s Santa’s Heavenly Office, where kids can come write and send their dream wish list. On top of that, there are plenty of creative Advent workshops.
So, what can you buy at the markets? Besides classic Christmas decorations, you’ll definitely come across handmade crafts. Look for products marked with the Traditional Product of Slovácko seal – they’re your guarantee of honest, local craftsmanship.
You might also like: The most beautiful Christmas markets in the Czech Republic or our complete guide to Christmas markets in Ostrava.
Map of points of interest for your phone
What to try at the markets and practical tips
Slovácko is a region made for good food and drink. At the markets you’ll find stalls selling fragrant trdelník, gingerbread and local Christmas pastries. You can warm up with classic mulled wine or punch. But the true Slovácko phenomenon is the local slivovitz plum brandy, inseparable from the winter months here.
If you enjoy traditional food, the stalls sell sausages and potato pancakes. But if you’re looking for a meat-free option, we’d recommend trying roasted chestnuts, sweet pancakes, or various kinds of filled langoš flatbreads.
Parking and getting there
Uherské Hradiště is easy to reach by train or bus, with the station just about a ten-minute walk from the center. If you’re driving, keep in mind that parking in the center can be tricky during Advent. It’s best to use the larger parking lots on the edge of the center and walk the rest of the way.
Czech and Slovácko Christmas traditions
If you’re curious how Christmas is celebrated in the Czech Republic, get ready for plenty of lovely traditions. Here, gifts are brought by Ježíšek (Baby Jesus) on Christmas Eve, December 24, in the evening. Nobody knows exactly what he looks like, so you’ll never see him pictured anywhere. St. Nicholas, accompanied by a devil and an angel, visits children earlier, on December 5.
No Christmas Eve dinner table is complete without fish soup and fried carp with potato salad. Legend has it that anyone who fasts all day will see a golden piglet that evening. Because of all the carp, you’ll see tubs of live fish on the streets before Christmas – a sight that can be quite a shock for foreign visitors. Czech households also smell of Christmas cookies, with over ten different kinds commonly baked. Among the most popular are vanilla crescent cookies, linzer cookies and “wasp nests.” On Christmas Eve morning, people slice into the sweet braided vánočka bread.
After dinner, various customs and fortune-telling traditions are kept. People commonly cut an apple in half for good health, or float little walnut-shell boats with lit candles in a bowl of water. In the past, people also poured molten lead, but nowadays wax or tin is used instead of the toxic metal. Another fun custom is throwing a shoe over your shoulder toward the door – young women use it to find out if they’ll get married soon.
The first Christmas tree and Slovácko folklore
Did you know that the very first public Christmas tree in the Czech lands was lit on December 13, 1924, in Brno’s Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody)? The idea came from writer Rudolf Těsnohlídek, inspired by a custom from Copenhagen, Denmark. The proceeds collected under the tree at the time went to the Dagmar children’s home.
Uherské Hradiště and the whole Slovácko region add a layer of strong folklore to these nationwide traditions. During the holidays you can experience carol singing, traditional nativity plays, and hear beautiful local Christmas songs accompanied by the cimbalom.
Where to go nearby
If you have more time to spend in Slovácko, be sure to venture beyond the town gates. Nearby Velehrad, with its stunning basilica, offers a beautiful winter walk. Just a short distance away you’ll find the Modrá open-air archaeological museum, which takes on a completely different, almost mystical atmosphere in the winter months. A stroll along the frozen Baťa Canal can also be a nice stop, though you’ll have to wait until spring for a boat trip.
Where next: more Advent tips
If the Christmas markets have caught your interest, check out these articles too:
- Moravian Christmas markets: 13 prettiest spots
- Christmas markets in Zlín
- Christmas markets in Brno
- Christmas markets in Bratislava
- Best Christmas markets in the Czech Republic
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Christmas markets in Uherské Hradiště start?
The Small Christmas Market this year runs from November 27, 2026 to January 6, 2027.
Where exactly are the stalls located?
The main venue for all Christmas events is Masarykovo Square right in the historic center of Uherské Hradiště.
What are the opening hours of the markets?
The stalls are typically open every day from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. During the Big Market, opening hours at some stalls may vary slightly.
When will the Christmas tree lighting take place?
The Christmas tree will be lit this year on Friday, November 27, 2026 at Masarykovo Square.
What’s the difference between the Small and Big markets?
The Small Market runs throughout the entire Advent period until January and offers basic stalls. The Big Christmas Market lasts about a week in mid-December and offers a richer program.
Where can you park near the markets?
Parking directly on the square is not possible. It’s recommended to use parking lots on the edge of the center and walk a short distance to the markets.
Will I find activities for children at the markets?
Yes, there’s the popular Baby Jesus’s Heavenly Office, creative Advent workshops, and various children’s theater performances.
What can I buy at the markets?
Besides classic refreshments, you’ll find handmade products, Christmas decorations, and products awarded the Traditional Product of Slovácko mark.
Are the markets suitable for vegetarians too?
Absolutely. The stalls commonly sell sweet trdelník, gingerbread cookies, roasted chestnuts, or the popular lángos.
What other markets in the area are worth visiting?
The Christmas markets in Zlín also have a great atmosphere, or the somewhat larger Christmas markets in Brno.
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