Public Holiday: Large Shops to Remain Closed on Monday, 28 September

Next Monday, shoppers in the Czech Republic should expect supermarkets and shopping centres to be closed. A ban on sales applies to larger shops because of the public holiday.

On Monday, 28 September 2026, large shops throughout the Czech Republic will remain closed. The reason is Czech Statehood Day, which has been observed as a public holiday since 2002.

28 September is also dedicated to Saint Wenceslas. The patron saint of the Bohemian lands is one of the country’s best-known and most popular saints.

Shops Over 200 Square Metres Must Close on 28 September

Under Czech law on shop opening hours, shops with more than 200 square metres of sales floor space must remain closed on this day. This includes large supermarkets and shopping centres.

The law came into force in 2016 and requires larger retail shops to close on selected public holidays. In addition to 28 September, the rule applies on 1 January, Easter Monday, 8 May and 28 October. On Christmas Eve, shops may open only until noon; they must remain closed throughout 25 and 26 December.

The Czech Trade Inspection Authority monitors compliance with the rules. Violations can result in fines of up to one million Czech crowns.

Shop Opening Hours on Public Holidays

• January 1 – New Year’s Day – Closed

• Good Friday – Open

• Easter Monday – Closed

• May 1 – Labour Day – Open

• May 8 – Victory Day – Closed

• July 5 – Day of the Slavic Apostles Cyril and Methodius – Open

• July 6 – Day of the Burning of Jan Hus – Open

• September 28 – Day of Czech Statehood – Closed

• October 28 – Day of the Founding of Independent Czechoslovakia – Closed

• November 17 – Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy – Closed

• December 24 – Christmas Eve – Open until 12:00 noon

• December 25 – Christmas Day – Closed

• December 26 – Second Christmas Day – Closed