The short answer: Brno in winter is worth the trip if you check what is open before you go. The Christmas markets fill the squares of the old town, the first St. Martin's wines open on November 11, and the caves of the Moravian Karst stay at the same 7–8 °C (about 46 °F) all year. Some castle rooms and towers close for the season or run a reduced schedule, so use the official websites linked below to plan your days.

Christmas markets in Brno

The official Brno Christmas website lists this year's markets from November 13 to December 31, 2026. Instead of one big market, the stalls are spread across several squares of the historic center, so you can walk from one to the next:

• Vegetable Market (Zelný trh): the largest market, with more than 100 stalls, a Christmas tree, a stage with a daily program and a children's village.
• Freedom Square (náměstí Svobody): market stands, a Christmas tree and a daily cultural program.
• Dominican Square: a hand-carved nativity scene by Jiří Halouzka in front of the town hall.
• Moravian Square: a 33-meter Ferris wheel, with an ice rink and skate rental below it.

The program and the opening times of individual stalls change from year to year, so check the official website before you go. The markets are right next to the city's best-known sights: the passage of the Old Town Hall with the famous Brno dragon is a short walk from the Vegetable Market. Read the stories behind it in our guide to the Brno dragon and the astronomical clock, or see them with a local guide on our Brno: 3-Hour History & Legends Walking Tour.

St. Martin's wine on November 11

November 11 is St. Martin's Day, and it marks the start of the young wine season. According to VisitCzechia, the first bottles open at exactly 11:11 a.m., and the traditional meal is roast goose with red or white cabbage and dumplings.

St. Martin's wines are fresh and light, because they have had only a few weeks to mature. A wine may carry the St. Martin's label only if it is made in Czechia from approved grape varieties, such as Müller-Thurgau, Moravian Muscat or Saint Laurent, and has passed a blind tasting by an independent committee. Look for it in wine bars and restaurants in the days after November 11. To learn what grows in the region, read our Moravian wine guide and our tips on the best wine tastings near Brno.

Short days: plan the outdoors for the morning

In December the sun sets in Brno at around 4 p.m. Plan walks, viewpoints and day trips for the morning and early afternoon, and keep indoor sights for later. Two good options in the city:

• Brno underground: the ossuary under the Church of St. James and the labyrinth under the Vegetable Market. See our guide to the Brno underground.
• Špilberk Castle: the castle above the city with its former prison casemates. Read the story in our Špilberk guide.

If you have just one day in the city, our one-day Brno itinerary shows how to fit the main sights together.

The Moravian Karst caves in winter

The caves are one of the best winter trips from Brno, because the weather inside does not change. According to the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic, the air temperature in the Punkva Caves and in Balcarka Cave is 7–8 °C (about 46 °F) all year. Bring a warm layer at any time of year.

• Punkva Caves: the caves publish a separate off-season schedule for November to March. The cave administration recommends booking ahead in the summer season and on weekends all year round. Check the days and tour times on the official Punkva Caves website.
• Balcarka Cave: check the official Balcarka Cave website for its schedule on your dates.

Not sure which cave to choose? Our comparison of the Moravian Karst caves and the Punkva Caves practical guide help you decide. On our Secrets of the Moravian Karst tour, the stops are tailored to your interests and fitness level.

Lednice, Valtice and wine country in winter

This is where winter planning matters most. At Lednice, the ground-floor rooms, the princely apartments, the Minaret and the greenhouse each have their own schedule, and some of them close for the winter. Check the official Lednice Castle website for what is open on your dates. If you want to taste wine in Valtice, check the official Wine Salon of the Czech Republic website as well.

The good news: the parks, the villages and the wine cellars of the region are there all year. Our guides Lednice or Valtice: which castle to visit and the Lednice–Valtice day trip help you plan the day. On our Wine & UNESCO Gems Tour from Brno, the guide adapts the itinerary to your interests, with pickup at your hotel in Brno or nearby. Entrance fees are not included, and we can help you book them in advance.

Getting around in winter

Brno's old town is compact and easy to explore on foot. For trips out of the city, you can drive yourself or let someone else handle the winter roads. Our article on renting a car or hiring a driver in Moravia compares both options, and our private transfers take you door to door on routes such as Brno–Vienna, Vienna–Prague or Brno–Kraków.

Still deciding when to come? Our seasonal guide to Brno and South Moravia compares the seasons, and the best day trips from Brno gives you more ideas.

Frequently asked questions

When are the Brno Christmas markets in 2026?

The official Brno Christmas website lists them from November 13 to December 31, 2026. Check it for the program and stall times.

Are the Moravian Karst caves open in winter?

The Punkva Caves run a separate off-season schedule from November to March. Check the official Punkva Caves website for the days and tour times on your dates.

How cold is it inside the caves?

The Cave Administration lists 7–8 °C (about 46 °F) in the Punkva Caves and Balcarka Cave, all year round.

Is Lednice Castle open in winter?

Some parts are, and some close for the season. The rooms, the apartments, the Minaret and the greenhouse each have their own schedule, so check the official Lednice Castle website for your dates.

When is St. Martin's wine released?

On November 11. According to VisitCzechia, the first bottles open at exactly 11:11 a.m.