Christmas 2023

Angels in flight, a singing tree, the Nativity

This year's winter festivities will take place all across town – from the riverside to the town square and the many magical locations Decin has to offer. You can look forward to Wednesday caroling, outdoor markets, and mulled wine.

The first weekend of Advent is traditionally associated with the lighting of the town tree, and this year will be no exception. “The program starts with Saturday’s food festival featuring entertainment by Ondrej Ruml,” noted Martin Posta, Decin’s Deputy Mayor for Education, Culture, and Sport (Volba pro Decin). “On Sunday, in addition to a fantastic flight of angels, visitors can also look forward to a concert by Gymnazium Decin choir and Teplice Conservatory’s Decin Christmas Concert,” he continued.

Of course, it wouldn’t be the holidays without storytelling for children or arts and crafts workshops. City hall chose the area near the library on the recommendation of the municipal police and the Municipal Center for Culture and Tourism largely because it avoids the necessity of closing the city’s main thoroughfare to traffic and the rerouting of public transport. Another important factor is that there are public toilets available at the site, as well as better participant facilities at the adjacent information center. According to the municipal police, the library location is also more suitable from a safety perspective.

This year, the whole Advent program, including street vendors, is being organized by the city, and will unfold in various locations. People can enjoy the holiday atmosphere throughout the season in Krizova ulice, which will be dotted with stalls selling refreshments and small gifts, a photo booth, a wooden Nativity scene and the popular singing tree.

“We’re quite pleased to have the singing tree back in Decin for the holidays. It will be a beautiful opportunity to meet up and share music again,” commented Posta.

The city will also light trees on Masarykovo namesti, in Krizova Ulice, on Husovo namesti, in front of the main railway station, and on Pastyrska stena (Shepherds Bluff).

FULL ADVENT PROGRAM

DEC. 2 – FOOD FESTIVAL, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM

Satisfy that craving with Christmas specialties and street-food classics. There’s a full entertainment ticket too. Come out an enjoy yourself!

DEC. 3 – TREE LIGHTING, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM

The traditional Christmas tree lighting will take place by the city library. You can look forward to Christmas markets and a rich cultural program. Come celebrate Advent with us and get in the holiday spirit!

10:30 am and 2:00 pm: Children’s theater performance by Divadlo Rozmanitosti Most

3:00 pm: Female vocal quartet KvarteTones, who you may remember from our Advent program last year

4:00 pm: Gymnasium Decin Choir – The choir is a regular guest at municipal events, prepares its own spring and Christmas concerts, and participates in choir competitions at the regional and national level.

4:50 pm and 5:10 pm: Flight of Christmas angels (two flights!)

5:00 pm: Christmas tree lighting ceremony

DEC. 3 – CHRISTMAS DOUBLE-DECKER RIDES, 2:00–4:00 PM

Hop aboard the magical Christmas double-decker! The bus will run between Husovo namesti and Masarykovo namesti. Tickets can be purchased from the driver.

DEC. 6 – CAROLING ON HUSOVO NAM. AND KRIZOVA UL., 5:00–7:00 PM

Spend the afternoon with Christmas carols and mulled wine starting at 5:00 pm at Husovo namesti and continuing at 6:00 pm on Krizova ulice. Come get in the holiday spirit!

DEC. 7 – STORYTIME AFTERNOON, FROM 10:00 AM

Get your children in the holiday spirit with some holiday storytelling at the arcade of at the municipal library. Visitors can also browse and purchase holiday crafts made by students of Vojanova elementary school.

DEC. 7 – CONCERT, MILOS REJMAN AND SOFIE SOPOVA, 6:00 PM

Christmas classics performed by local musicians.

DEC. 9–10 – PODMOKLY ADVENT MARKET, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Market takes place in the little park front of Hostel Decin and Na Skrivance in Podmokly. Free admission. Christmas delicacies, crafts, and gifts.

DEC. 9–10 – MUSEUM CHRISTMAS MARKET, 10:00 AM–7:00 PM

Traditional Christmas market at the Decin Museum. Plenty of vendors with Christmas themes.

DEC. 9 – NINTH ANNUAL THEATER CHRISTMAS BAZAAR, 2:00 PM

Decin's municipal theater, in partnership with the civil initiative Andele bez kridel (Angels without wings), cordially invites you to the ninth annual theater Christmas bazaar. All proceeds will go to the Zeme deti home for children in Ceske Kamenice. The program includes entertainment and refreshments.

DEC. 10 – CHRISTMAS DOUBLE-DECKER RIDES, 2:00–4:00 PM

Hop aboard the magical Christmas double-decker! The bus will run between Husovo namesti and Masarykovo namesti. Tickets can be purchased from the driver.

DEC. 12 – CHRISTMAS RECITAL ZUS DECIN, 4:00 PM

Students of Decin's art school will perform on Husovo namesti.

DEC. 12 – CHRISTMASTIME CRAFTING IN KRIZOVA UL., 4:00–6:00 PM

Join us for holiday crafts wtih Lesni elementary and nursery school as part of the holiday festivities in Krizova ulice.

DEC. 13 – CAROLING ON HUSOVO NAM. AND KRIZOVA UL., 5:00–7:00 PM

Spend the afternoon with Christmas carols and mulled wine starting at 5:00 pm at Husovo namesti and continuing at 6:00 pm on Krizova ulice. Come get in the holiday spirit!

DEC. 14–15 – CHRISTMAS OPEN MIC ON HUSOVO NAM., 4:00–7:00 PM

Come celebrate the holidays with our Christmas open mic! Let all of your holiday feelings hang out on stage and show us what you can do!

DEC. 16 – CHRISTMAS MARKET ON HUSOVO NAM., 10:00 AM–7:00 PM

Visit the traditional Christmas market on Husovo namesti and pick up a small gift for someone special (or yourself).

DEC. 17 – CASTLE ADVENT MARKET, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM

Decin Castle presents its traditional Advent market on the main courtyard.

DEC. 17 – CHRISTMAS DOUBLE-DECKER RIDES, 2:00–4:00 PM

Hop aboard the magical Christmas double-decker! The bus will run between Husovo namesti and Masarykovo namesti. Tickets can be purchased from the driver.

DEC. 18 – CAROLING WITH THE WARRIORS, 6:00 PM

Decin's basketball team is hitting the holiday streets to show that they've got talent off court too. Join them to sing a few Christmas carols.

DEC. 19 – CHRISTMAS OVER DECIN

Na strani elementary school presents its traditional Christmas market.

DEC. 19 AND 20 – ADVENT CONCERT, DECIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND DECIN CHOIR

Decin's municipal theater presents its traditional Advent concert. Two dates.

DEC. 20 – CAROLING ON HUSOVO NAM. AND KRIZOVA UL., 5:00–7:00 PM

Spend the afternoon with Christmas carols and mulled wine starting at 5:00 pm at Husovo namesti and continuing at 6:00 pm on Krizova ulice. Come get in the holiday spirit!

DEC. 23 – CHRISTMAS CONCERT, VACLAV MAREK ORCHESTRA AND DANIELA SINKOROVA

Carrying on the tradition of the celebrated big bands, Vaclav Marek and his orchestra play hits of the previous century that will make you want to get up and dance. Their 2023 Christmas concert combines domestic favorites with world famous standards and popular Christmas hits as well as the most beautiful classical Czech carols.

DEC. 27 – CAROLING ON HUSOVO NAM. AND KRIZOVA UL., 5:00–7:00 PM

Spend the afternoon with Christmas carols and mulled wine starting at 5:00 pm at Husovo namesti and continuing at 6:00 pm on Krizova ulice. Come get in the holiday spirit!

DEC. 31 – NEW YEARS EVE AT THE RIVERSIDE, CONCERT AND RIVER SWIM, 3:00–6:00 PM

Say goodbye to 2023 with music under the bandstand on the riverbank (at the foot of Decin Castle). And, if you like outdoor swimming, join Decin's winter swimmers for an icy dip in the Elbe.