New Year's celebrations in Prague

No fireworks this year!

It is prohibited to use pyrotechnics in the historical centre and other parts of Prague. Failing to comply with the ban may result in a ne of up to 3 950 EUR. Pyrotechnics can cause injury, property damage, and moreover fear and stress in animals and people, especially children and seniors.

It‘s against the law

The use of pyrotechnics is prohibited in the centre of Prague and other areas under nes of up to CZK 100 000.

It‘s unsafe

Setting o reworks signi cantly increases the risk of re. You are exposing yourself to toxic fumes and potentially explosive components.

It‘s dangerous

There is risk of injury in case of improper handling – burns, hearing damage and wounds from recrackers or reworks landing on limbs. Toxin- lled air endangers the respiratory and cardiovascular system. Heavy metals are carcinogenic, toxic and damage the endocrine system.

It‘s scary

They frighten animals and people and cause trauma.
The psychological e ects can be long-term.

It pollutes

The clouds of smoke and fallout spread highly dangerous chemicals. These fall to the surface – on soil, vegetation, water – and we breathe them in the
air. They cause irritation, damaging the upper and lower respiratory tracts of both people and animals.

It harms animals

When they are set o , animals su er both indoors and outdoors. In a panic, they try to escape, ramming into solid obstacles, vehicles, glass or
wires. The consequences are often fatal.

New Year's celebrations in Prague

The use of over-the-counter pyrotechnic products on 31 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 is covered by the rules laid down by a City of Prague Decree.

This decree arose from the negative experience of pyrotechnic products being used in sensitive parts of Prague, in particular the city centre, the waterfront, in parks and in the vicinity of hospitals and other facilities, for example retirement homes. It does not apply to professional fireworks, which require a permit in accordance with the Pyrotechnics Act.

The use of over-the-counter pyrotechnics is prohibited within the City of Prague as follows:

a) within the City of Prague Heritage Reserve

b) on watercourses, islands on these watercourses and land adjacent to watercourse beds, up to 50 metres from the shoreline

c) within 250 metres of facilities providing inpatient care, retirement homes or homes for persons with disabilities

d) on dams, dykes, levees and reservoirs and within 50 metres of such

e) in conservation areas and within 50 metres of such areas

f) in nature parks and within 50 metres of such parks

g) within 250 metres of the premises of the Prague Zoo, animal shelters and facilities providing emergency veterinary care

Ban on the use of sky lanterns

The use of products that use heated air or hot exhaust from a flame generator for uncontrolled flight, in particular products sold as sky lanterns, Chinese lanterns, good luck lanterns, and wish lanterns, is prohibited anywhere in the City of Prague.

Violation of the decree

Compliance with the decree will be monitored by the Prague Municipal Police and Police of the Czech Republic. Violation thereof is subject to an administrative penalty – a fine of up to CZK 100 000 can be imposed against a natural or legal person in administrative proceedings. Police officers can impose an on-the-spot fine of up to CZK 10 000.