On New Year’s Eve, extensive security and traffic measures will be in force in Prague’s city centre. The measures mainly affect heavily frequented areas such as Wenceslas Square, Old Town Square and the area around Charles Bridge.
For the turn of the year 2025/2026, extensive security and traffic measures will apply in Prague, particularly in the busiest parts of the historic city centre. Police, municipal police, emergency services and the fire brigade will be on duty throughout New Year’s Eve and on New Year’s Day to ensure the safe course of the celebrations.
The areas most affected include Wenceslas Square, the surroundings of Charles Bridge and Old Town Square. At Wenceslas Square, a complete parking ban will apply from Wednesday, 31 December, from 12.00 noon until Thursday, 1 January, 10.00 a.m. In addition, from 4.00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, the square will be closed to car traffic from the adjoining streets Wilsonova, Jindřišská, Vodičkova, Štěpánská and Ve Smečkách.
Traffic restrictions will also be introduced around Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí). Entry into Jáchymova and Pařížská streets will be prohibited between 8.00 p.m. and 3.00 a.m. Due to ongoing repair work on an escalator entrance, Staroměstská Metro station may be temporarily overcrowded. The city therefore recommends using the nearby stations Náměstí Republiky or Můstek, which are within walking distance.
Further road closures will be implemented in the Charles Bridge area. Smetanovo nábřeží and Křižovnická Street up to Jan Palach Square will be closed to traffic between 11.00 p.m. and 1.00 a.m. On the opposite bank of the Vltava River, Josefská Street will be closed from 9.00 p.m. to 2.00 a.m.
Ambulances from the Prague Emergency Medical Service will be stationed at central squares during New Year’s Eve. The police and municipal police will monitor compliance with traffic regulations and ensure safety through an increased presence.
The Prague Public Transport Company will extend Metro operations on the night of 1 January until around 2.30 a.m. The last trains on lines A, B and C will depart from their respective terminal stations at around 2.00 a.m. Tram and bus services will also be reinforced from 10.00 p.m. through the early morning hours.
The city also reminds residents and visitors of the existing ban on the use of pyrotechnics in sensitive areas, including the city centre, the banks of the Vltava River, parks, and the surroundings of hospitals, care homes and veterinary facilities. Compliance with the ban will be monitored by the municipal police and the Police of the Czech Republic. Violations may result in on-the-spot fines of up to 10,000 Czech crowns, and up to 100,000 crowns in administrative proceedings.
The release of so-called sky lanterns and other uncontrolled flying objects with an open flame remains prohibited throughout the city.
Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda has appealed to residents and visitors to celebrate the turn of the year considerately. Respect for the rules and for others, he said, is the best way to start the new year.
