Enjoy the taste and smell of mulled wine as well as an assortment of delicious Czech pastries and savory cuisine.

Adore the array of live animals for selfies. Listen to children of American Sokol Washington DC and Slavic American Sokol performing Czech Christmas carols and live music by Orchester Prazevica.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date/Time: November 4, 2023, 9:00 am – 6 pm

Location: Embassy of the Czech Republic

3900 Spring of Freedom Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008

Reservations are required https://czechchristmasmarket2023.eventbrite.com| Admission is free.

If you cannot reserve a time slot, it may be full. Therefore, select another time for entrance.

Some of the vendors cannot accept credit cards, so please bring plenty of cash as well.

Czech Christmas Market 2023 (PDF, 939 KB)

Map (PDF, 4 MB)

Embassy Policy: By registering, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists by attending this event on the premises of the Embassy of the Czech Republic. You and any family members and guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and the Embassy of the Czech Republic or any of their diplomats, staff, contractors, affiliates, employees, agents, or volunteers liable for any illness, injury, or death.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic disclaims and excludes any and all liability for any loss, injury, or damage, alleged to have been suffered by or as a result of or otherwise on its premises. No large bags are allowed. Small purses may be checked as you pass through security for entrance. RSVP confirmation and photo ID required.

Parking: Non-metered parking is available on Spring of Freedom Street and Tilden Street.

Closest Metro: The Embassy is about a 15-20 minute walk from the Van Ness Metro Station.

PERFORMERS
American Sokol Washington DC
http://www.sokolwashington.org/

American Sokol Washington DC provides a sense of community for individuals and families of Czech, Slovak and Moravian heritage, as well as for any other interested persons. The non-profit organization offers an array of sports and outdoor-appreciation activities, and a variety of social, cultural and educational opportunities.

Slavic American Sokol
http://www.slavicamericansokol.org/

Slavic American Sokol promotes and provides education in the Czech, Slovak and other Slavic languages, folklore, culture and athletics.

Orchestra Prazevica
https://www.prazevica.com/    

Frontman Tomáš Drgoň and his band will deliver an entertaining mix of Christmas, folk and jazz music to set the mood at the market. His group has performed on stages across the area.

COMPANIES

ORNAMENTS AND GLASS

European Trading Company 
http://www.europetrade.us/

The European Trading Company imports hundreds of handmade Christmas glass ornaments from the Czech Republic. The company hand selects its collections from designers and artisans with centuries old skills and traditions of fine glass blowing and decorating, following the latest trends. Since 1994, the family business has imported millions of ornaments to the United States.  

Topix Crystal Art
http://www.topixcrystalart.com/

Topix Crystal Art is a distributer of fine Bohemian crystal imported from the Czech Republic. Each piece is mouth-blown, handcrafted, cut and painted by the most skilled crystal makers, following traditions dating back to the eleventh century. The pieces reflect both classical glass-making techniques and the latest sophisticated processes. Topix has a wide selection of exquisite pieces, ranging from traditional tableware to chandeliers and other works of art. 

JEWELRY

Praha Beads and Jewelry
https://prahabeadsandjewelry.com/
For over 18 years, Praha Beads and Jewelry has been creating exquisite handcrafted jewelry with a vintage-looking flair, using Czech glass beads, Venetian glass beads and semi-precious gemstones. Praha Beads and Jewelry carries hard-to-find Czech glass beads and other items for all your jewelry-making needs.

Preciosa
www.berkana-usa.com

Preciosa's crystal jewelry and décor delight those who love beauty all around the world. Luxurious jewelry and sought-after fashion accessories are created in the cradle of the world’s glass jewelry industry. From the centuries-old tradition of Bohemian cut crystal, Preciosa enriches each creation with craftsmanship, skills and the latest technologies. Berkana USA represents Preciosa in the US.

Shelalee
https://www.shelalee.com/
Shelalee is a small, women-owned business handcrafting unique jewelry using Czech glass beads. Founded in 2012, Shelalee has been focusing on inspiring the virtue of beauty as the reflection of uniqueness, compassion, kindness, and strength hidden in every single woman. All Shelalee products are designed and hand-crafted in quantities limited to one or just a few pieces.

TOYS

Detoa
https://detoa.cz/en/domovska-stranka-english/
The company, founded in 1908, is the largest and oldest producer of wooden toys, board game components and wooden beads in the Czech Republic. All products are made from high-quality wood, which comes from the mountain regions of Central Europe. As most of the toys are designed with small children in mind, special attention is paid to their finishes. The toys support creativity and dexterity.

Lillis Photography
https://www.lillisphotography.com/
Lillis Photography is a fine art, portrait, and event photography business in Washington, DC. Lillis served as the official photographer for the American Friends of the Czech Republic for over ten years. She has photographed Czech leaders on many occasions and has traveled to the Czech Republic, capturing architectural and landscape images. She also provides her artwork to hospitality and healthcare industries. She is represented by Grand Image, an art consultant in Seattle.

OM Design & Photography
http://www.omdesigns.cz/
OM Design & Photography creates a unique line of bilingual English/Czech calendars with architectural beauty of the Czech Republic and especially Prague. With an architectural and design background and over 20 years of photography experience, OM Design and Photography wants to inspire people to visit the Czech Republic and experience all that it has to offer, including multiple World UNESCO Heritage sites. High-end custom designed calendars are printed on quality stock and sustainably assembled locally in Maryland.

BOOKS, PRINTS & CRAFTS

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
https://ncsml.org/
Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) preserves, presents, and transcends unique stories of Czech and Slovak history and culture through innovative experiences and active engagement to reach cross-cultural audiences locally, nationally, and internationally. The Museum’s award-winning store proudly sells merchandise tied to Czech and Slovak roots, including unique and fun souvenirs. Something for every taste and age!

Penfield Books
https://www.penfieldbooks.com/category/czech-titles/
For 43 years, Penfield Books, based in Iowa City, has been publishing and distributing Award Winning books of cultural and ethnic interest, primarily focused on Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe, with a varied selection of Czech and Slovak titles. One of their newest and featured titles is Haunted Prague: Stories of Spirits, Sorcerers, and the Supernatural.

Plamen Press
https://www.plamenpress.com/
Plamen Press is an independent press focused on the publication and promotion of Central, Eastern and Southeastern European literature translated into English. As publishers, Plamen Press believes that its role is to use every means available to reanimate literary works for readers.

Robinson’s Fine Prints 
http://www.robinprints.com/
Robinson’s Fine Prints is an art gallery in the Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, selling original prints from Europe, Asia, and the Americas. With more than 1,000 artworks in stock, prints by Czech artists from the past 100 years dominate the store’s collection. Its featured artists include Ladislav Hanka and Emil Kotrba.    

SunnyDayArt
https://www.etsy.com/shop/
SunnyDayArtandCraft

Sunny Day Art is a family art studio and woodcraft shop founded in the Sunshine State in 2006. Their authentic “walnut babies” ornaments have been used as traditional Christmas décor in Czechia for many centuries.        

BAKED GOODS & CHOCOLATE

La Bohemia Bakery
https://www.facebook.com/labohemiabakery/

La Bohemia Bakery is a European artisan bakery located in Rockville, Maryland. Its priority is bringing authentic quality European baked goods to customers at an affordable price. The bakery’s menu includes pastries, tarts and cakes, savory baked goods, breads, and mouthwatering sandwiches.

Bakerium Katerina
Baked from scratch with top quality ingredients, Katerina uses recipes to make traditional Czech Christmas cookies, which are an integral part of Christmas for any Czech family. Her delicious creations follow recipes, which have been treasured in her family for generations. Katerina has now been keeping this wonderful tradition alive in the United States for almost three decades.

Marlenka International Ltd.
https://marlenka.us/
MARLENKA® products are made only from the best quality ingredients mainly from local production in the Czech Republic. Marlenka produces a variety of honey cakes and other honey desserts and imposes high quality standards on its production.

Steiner & Kovarik Prague Chocolate
https://www.prazskacokolada.cz/
Steiner & Kovarik Prague Chocolate is a Czech family owned premium chocolate company founded in 2005. A consistent recipient of the international Great Taste Award, Steiner & Kovarik produces only the highest quality of handmade chocolates manufactured in its own local factory. Wide varieties of chocolates are wrapped in luxurious gift packaging featuring unique designs and motives. It is a family business integrating originality with the power of love.

WINE & SPIRITS

Spevak Winery
https://www.willsinternational.com/
A small family-owned winery, founded by Frantisek Spevak, based on his philosophy that a good quality wine is born in the vineyard, not the winery. All the grapes used for wine production are sustainably-grown and hand-picked on Spevak Estate located within the Slovacko sub-region of Moravia where Frantisek pioneers farming of new resistant crossings. Thirty-five grape varieties allow him to produce an impressive portfolio. Choose from a selection of seven wines, curated by Moravian Wine Series and imported into the US by Wills International.

R. Jelínek
https://www.rjelinek.us/
R. Jelínek, is a producer of Jelinek Slivovitz, a national brand and plum brandy originating from the Plum Valley in the Czech Republic. Other than creating one of the most iconic spirits in the world, R. Jelinek also specializes in the creation of Pear Williams Brandy and Bohemia Apricot Brandy as well as a variety of many other spirits and liqueurs. Established by the Jelínek family in 1894, the privately owned company continues to adhere to its tradition of kosher distillery production. Exporting the popular brandy to the United States since 1934, it currently distributes in over 30 different states.

LIVE ANIMALS

Frederick County Sheep Breeders & Blue Rock Farm
http://www.fredericksheepbreeders.com/

The Frederick County Sheep Breeders is a Maryland-based sheep and goat producers association. Its purpose is to promote as well as to educate the public regarding sheep, goat and lamb activities in Maryland.  

Whispering Meadows Alpaca Breeders
http://www.whisperingmeadowsalpaca.com/

The Whispering Meadows Alpaca Breeders was founded in 1999 and started the first Alpaca 4-H club in Frederick County, MD. It will be selling wool and alpaca stockings, hats, figurines, and other items. Lambs, goats, and alpacas will be on hand for selfies and cuddles.