Christmas Traditions

INTERACTIVE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Christmas customs are among the most popular and interesting traditions, during which old customs were observed in the run-up to Christmas and folk magic played a very significant role. Just as with Easter customs, we have prepared themed “stations” for you focused on various Advent traditions. The program can be tailored to individual Sundays of Advent and important Advent days such as the feasts of St. Lucy, St. Barbara, or St. Andrew.

Our programs are based on the active participation of visitors, not just passive demonstrations. Under our guidance, guests will try out each tradition for themselves—decorating gingerbread cookies, making a candlestick, launching a paper boat, and participating in other customs.

We present individual customs in period costumes from various historical eras, such as medieval or Old Bohemian Christmas. An engaging narrative about the origins of the traditions, their meaning, and symbolism is, of course, also part of the program.

For some activities, variable costs should be expected depending on the amount of materials used (e.g., the number of gingerbread cookies, wreath bases, and other craft materials).

Most Popular Workshops and Creative Activities

Lead or wax pouring – we’ll tell you what the coming year holds
Floating walnut boats
Apple carving
Making Advent wreaths (St. Catherine’s Day)
Decorating sugar hearts and other gingerbread cookies (St. Barbara’s Day)
making Christmas candle holders (St. Lucy’s Day)
shoe-throwing
making chains and snowflakes from rose hips, nuts, etc., or simply from paper
cutting out traditional folk costumes or Lad’s nativity scene
making hanging angels or Christmas stars
weaving decorations from straw

Fun Advent Characters – A New Christmas Program

Join us in discovering the mysterious world of Advent characters that have accompanied the pre-Christmas season for centuries. Our new program presents traditional figures rooted in both pagan and Christian customs in a fun and educational way.

You’ll meet St. Nicholas, St. Barbara, St. Lucy, and St. Ambrose—figures who once roamed the villages, rewarding, admonishing, protecting, and ensuring traditions were upheld. Each has its own origins, distinct appearance, and significance—ranging from the symbolism of light and protection to overseeing fasting and good behavior.

The program is complemented by a narrative about the history of Advent, its connection to the winter solstice, and its gradual evolution into today’s four-week period of anticipation leading up to Christmas. Period costumes, captivating stories, and interactive audience participation are all part of the experience.

Join us on a journey back to a time when Advent was not just a countdown to Christmas Eve, but a season full of mystery, symbols, and a magical atmosphere.

Complete Advent traditions

St. Catherine’s Day – although this holiday falls in the pre-Advent period, it is associated with a number of preparatory Christmas customs, just like St. Martin’s Day; this day was usually filled with merriment and folk dances

a demonstration of folk dances and audience participation in the dancing festivities
making Advent wreaths

St. Andrew’s Day – this saint was considered a powerful protector against evil spirits, and on this day, a number of magical rituals related to fortune-telling were performed

fortune-telling using 4 cups
knocking on the henhouse to find a husband
searching for the face of one’s future husband

St. Barbara’s Day

decorating sugar hearts and other gingerbread cookies

St. Nicholas’ Day

the arrival of St. Nicholas, the devil, and the angel, along with the traditional St. Nicholas gift-giving; the dignified St. Nicholas, as well as the other characters, may walk on stilts to enhance the effect

St. Lucy’s Day – the name Lucy means “full of light,” and on this day a log was set aside to be used to light the Christmas Eve fire; St. Lucy also protected against floods, which is why candles were lit in the windows

making Christmas candle holders

Christmas Eve and the Christmas season

Christmas Eve is the last day of Advent; it is called “Christmas Eve” in memory of the fact that Christianity was given the most precious gift in the form of the Son of God. On this day, the Christmas tree is decorated, and a nativity scene is set up beneath it. Folk magic played a very significant role.