Great interest has been generated by Christmas in Brno, which began on Friday. People came to the squares to enjoy the festive atmosphere, concerts and new attractions. The new cup designs and original photo points have quickly gained popularity among visitors.
Brno was the first city in the Czech Republic to open its Christmas markets. Thousands of people watched the festive opening, which featured a parade of devils, singer Sebastian and the band Slza. As well as a rich cultural programme, 160 market stands and permanent attractions, visitors were delighted by new features. These included a stand with a public viewing point at the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody), a Christmas Express and a Light Trail on Bašty Street, inspired this year by the Czech fairy tale ‘Three Nuts for Cinderella’.
Another new feature is the expanded collection of Christmas cups bearing the image of the Brno dragon. These cups became one of the symbols of Christmas in Brno last year. A total of 152,000 cups were taken home as souvenirs by visitors, and interest continues to this day. On the first day of the Christmas markets alone, over 5,000 cups were taken home. The most popular designs feature the dragon decorating a Christmas tree, baking cookies, riding the tram or celebrating the Kometa ice-hockey team’s championship title. A total of ten new designs are available.
There is also high demand for new enamel mugs decorated with cheerful motifs of the Brno dragon, as well as for original photo points located in various spots around the city. Visitors can take photos at the Jošt Statue with the larger-than-life dragon, in a hot air balloon at St James’ Church (kostel svatého Jakuba), or with a giant enamel mug at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh).
The Brno-střed district is the main organiser of the Christmas markets in Brno. These are held at the Vegetable Market (Zelný trh), in the park and by the Jošt statue at the Moravian Square (Moravské náměstí), on Bašty Street near the main train station and partly at the Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody). From 4 December, the markets will also be held at the so-called Roman Square (Římské náměstí), where the city district is organizing them in cooperation with artist Kateřina Šedá.
