The Jazz Boat at Christmas

Does the Prague Jazz Boat sail in December?

Yes, every evening except Christmas Eve. On top of the usual 7:30 p.m. concert, the December programme adds a 4:30 p.m. sailing on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and on every day between Christmas and 3 January.

The early sailing has the same band as the evening one on the same day. If 7:30 p.m. is sold out on a Saturday, check 4:30 p.m. before you give up on the date. It also suits families and anyone with an early start the next morning.

There is one odd date. On Thursday 10 December the only sailing is at 8:30 p.m., not 7:30 p.m. Prague Boats says the city's landmarks are fully lit from 5:30 p.m. in winter, so even the 4:30 p.m. boat ends in the dark, with Charles Bridge and the Castle lit up.

Band names come from the programme as it stands now and can change. On 4 November 2026, for example, the František Kop trio played.

Is the Jazz Boat open on 24, 25 and 26 December?

Not on Christmas Eve: the programme marks 24 December "Not operating". On Christmas Day and on 26 December it sails twice, at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve is the main family evening in Czechia, and the Jazz Boat takes the night off. If you are in town on the 24th and want live jazz, Jazz Dock on the Smíchov river bank lists the Elena Sonenshine Christmas Quartet from 10 p.m. that night.

Christmas Day is acoustic live jazz at both times. On 26 December the Roman Pokorný acoustic trio plays both sailings. Both days have two sailings, so a late lunch and the 7:30 p.m. boat, or the 4:30 p.m. boat and dinner on land, both work.

What does the Jazz Boat do on New Year's Eve?

Two sailings, both called "Celebration of jazz": one at 6 p.m. and one at 10 p.m. The 10 p.m. boat is the one on the river at midnight.

The programme overview gives no price for these two. The price and what is included are on each sailing's booking page on the Jazz Boat's own site. Book them as early as you can.

Prague Boats runs four New Year's Eve cruises from Čech Bridge, and two of them have live jazz: the Froid trio plays on Agnes de Bohemia, both at the 5 p.m. Crystal Dinner and on the 10 p.m. cruise. The bigger Grand Bohemia and Bohemia Rhapsody leave at 8:30 p.m. for 4 hours 30 minutes, with a pianist or a DJ. Prague Boats lists no online discount on any of them.

Prefer land? Jazz Dock's New Year's Eve party starts at 9 p.m. with the Yvonne Sanchez Band and the Kobra Party Band Universal.

Which Advent cruises sail on the Vltava in 2026?

Prague Boats runs a one-hour Advent cruise on Grand Bohemia every Advent Saturday and Sunday, between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with honey gingerbread and mulled wine or tea included.

The boat has a glass roof and a heated main deck, and Christmas music plays on board. The eight dates run from 28 November to 20 December 2026. Grand Bohemia leaves from Pier 1 at Čech Bridge, the same embankment as the Jazz Boat, and Prague Boats sells tickets at its office at Pier 3B.

The timing works well with the Jazz Boat. Take the Advent cruise at 3:30 p.m., walk the embankment, then board the 7:30 p.m. concert. Or swap the order on a weekend with a 4:30 p.m. Jazz Boat sailing.

A glass-roofed boat, a buffet prepared on board and live music, three hours past the lit Castle.

★ 4.4 · 3 hours · from $88

Explore the glass boat dinner cruise → Tour details

When are the Prague Christmas markets in 2026?

The Christmas markets on Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square run from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Those are the dates the organiser, Taiko, and Prague City Tourism give.

Prague City Tourism lists both markets. On Wenceslas Square the huts stand along the lower part of the square, with mulled wine, handmade gifts and a daily programme of music and choirs. Neither listing gives a date for the tree lighting yet.

From Old Town Square to the piers at Čech Bridge is about a 10-minute walk, according to Prague Boats. An afternoon at the market and an evening on the river fit into one day with no taxi.

How do you book the Jazz Boat for a Christmas night?

On GetYourGuide, pick Economy for the cruise and concert, or Popular to add the 3-course menu. Free cancellation runs up to 24 hours before.

Drinks are never in the ticket. You order at your table and pay on board in Czech crowns: a small Budvar is CZK 70, a mixed drink CZK 180, an espresso CZK 80. Booked direct, the Jazz Boat's own site starts at €49 for the concert cruise, and four set menus cost €31 each, added at checkout.

• Check your voucher for the pier. The Jazz Boat gives Terminal 18 on Dvořákovo nábřeží; GetYourGuide says the meeting point depends on the option.
• Arrive 15 minutes early. Boarding starts about then, and December evenings on the quay are cold.
• Expect to share. At some tables you sit with other guests.
• No dress code. Smart casual is fine; bring a warm coat for the walk to the pier.

Wondering whether it is the right night out? Our Jazz Boat review has the honest answer, and the winter cruise post covers what else sails.

A live trio, three sets and the lit city through the windows, with dinner only if you want it.

★ 4.7 · 2 hours 30 minutes · from $46

Explore the Jazz Boat → Tour details

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