The city centre will once again be filled with the unique atmosphere of Christmas in Brno. From 14 November to 31 December, visitors can look forward to a varied programme with an emphasis on traditional values, families with children and charity. Popular attractions, music concerts and lots of new features will also be on offer.
The main organiser of the Christmas markets in Brno is the Brno-střed district. These will be held at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh), in the park and at the Jošt Statute at the Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí), on Bašty Street near the main traub station, partly on the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody) and, new for this year, on the so-called Roman Square (Římské náměstí).
A total of 160 stands will be available, an increase of ten on last year. Most of these will be at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh), where more than half of the stands are run by craftsmen and bearers of folk traditions. “Christmas is traditionally one of the largest and most important cultural events in Brno. It is great advertising for the city in the Czech Republic and abroad. I believe that the Brno Christmas markets will once again become a place where people can enjoy great entertainment and spend pleasant moments with their loved ones, or support charitable organisations,” said René Černý (ANO political party), 1st Deputy Mayor of Brno.
There are several interesting new attractions for this year’s Christmas in Brno. “We have prepared a stand with a view of the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody), gift items, and a revamped collection of popular returnable cups, which we have expanded with ten new designs. We are also planning projection mapping on the Brno Market Hall building and a mobile app. This will include a map of the markets and information about concerts and competitions, which can also be found on website and social networks. Prizes include a view from a hot air balloon parked on the piazza in front of the Janáček Theatre, as well as other prizes,” said Ludmila Oulehlová (ANO political party), 1st Deputy Mayor of the Brno-střed district.
Thanks to the strengthened cultural programme, well-known bands such as Jelen, Monkey Business, Buty and No Name will perform at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh) this year. As usual, local clubs and children from kindergartens and primary schools will also be given a platform. There are also plans to screen films at an open-air cinema. “All concerts are free, as are most of the popular attractions. From the opening of the markets, visitors will be able to enjoy the Children’s Village, the Light Trail, the illuminated Parnas fountain and a Ferris wheel. Later, an ice rink will be added to the park on the Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí) and will open for the season on Friday, 28 November. We expect to keep the ice rink open until the end of February,” said Vojtěch Mencl (ODS), mayor of the Brno-střed district.
Christmas in Brno is fully financed by vendor rental fees. Revenue has increased significantly in recent years, enabling the markets to grow. For instance, the markets will expand to include the Roman Square (Římské náměstí), opening on 4 December. The proposed concept was developed in collaboration with artist Kateřina Šedá, architects from Peer Collective, the non-profit organisation Renadi, and the local authority. “Our main theme is overcoming barriers, whether physical or mental. Through large-scale installations, we offer people the opportunity to stop and reflect. The Christmas Festival of Bad Habits thus functions not only as a cultural event, but also as a call for greater openness, empathy and sharing,” said Kateřina Šedá, who has created a number of successful public art installations in the Czech Republic and abroad.
Helping those in need is a characteristic feature of Christmas in Brno. This year, the city district will support more than 60 charities by providing them with free stalls. People will find these at the Jošt Statue and the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh). Visitors will again be able to participate in the Daruj Kelímek (Donate the Cup) charity collection, whereby they can donate the deposit from a purchased hot drink cup to the account of one of eighteen non-profit organisations. Last year, over CZK 4.5 million was raised for a good cause. You can donate cups at stands at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh), at the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody) and at the Jošt Statue.
The Christmas markets will open on Friday 14 November. Stands and attractions will be set up at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh), in the park and at the Jošt Statue at the Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí), on the Bašta terrace near the main train station and at the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody), where the city district is providing five sales locations. The grand opening will take place at the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody). A parade of devils will set off from the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody) at 4 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. performance by singer Sebastian. After the concert, the cultural events will move to the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh), where the band called Slza will perform at 8 p.m.
The Christmas trees will be lit on Friday 21 November, when the markets will also open in the remaining areas of the city centre. The lights will be lit at 5 p.m. at the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody, at 6 p.m. at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh) accompanied by music from the Gustav Brom Radio Big Band, and at 7 p.m. at the Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí) at the Jošt Statue. This year’s Christmas tree for the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh) is a white fir. This twelve-metre-high conifer comes from Silůvky near Brno and was donated by Rostislav Beránek’s family. Visitors will also find fir trees at the Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí).
