Christmas is very popular in the Czech Republic. The wintery climate of the country and central European setting gives a very traditional festive atmosphere to the Christmas period.
The Czechs have many of the usual Christmas traditions such as special meals over Christmas - the Czech's main day is 24th December - Christmas markets, parties, family gatherings, decorations, carols and gift giving. There are also a number of unique and rather strange Czech traditions and superstitions over the period.
Naturally food plays a big part of the Czech Christmas with people overindulging in a wide range of foods. Traditional Czech foods such as fried carp, schnitzel, dumplings, soups, smoked and roast meats and cabbage dishes are eaten. Czech Christmas cookies are famous.
