The Prešov Christmas markets continue on an extended date.
Christmas is above all a holiday of peace and long-awaited gatherings. Christmas markets are an essential part of the Christmas season in Prešov. In recent weeks, Prešov's town square has become a place for sharing festive moments together. However, the Prešov Christmas markets do not end, and so visitors can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere even between the holidays. They continue for the first time in an extended period.
The Park of Culture and Leisure together with the City of Prešov and the Regional Tourism Organisation Región Šariš organise Christmas markets in the city of Prešov. After a two-year break, the organisers have delighted visitors with an extended date for the markets. The opening ceremony of the Christmas markets started on the traditional date, on 25 November. These will run continuously until 22 December and after Christmas they will continue from 26 December 2022 to 06 January 2023. Visitors will find more than 60 stands selling refreshments and goods. A busy cultural programme, mainly featuring local artists, is also an enrichment. Many market visitors enjoy not only the musical performances but also the accompanying events, which are unmissable in the city centre. The fragrant gastro zone adds to the unmistakable atmosphere of the Christmas markets.
Wooden nativity scene
The wooden carved nativity scene is a permanent Christmas decoration in the town. Visitors can admire the beautiful work of Juraj Antoňák from Ličartovce, which is located in front of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, for joy and spiritual caress. In his carving workshop, he again made not only life-size figures of the Holy Family, but also shepherds, angels, animals and others.
Christmas tree and light park
The square and the Christmas tree were traditionally lit by St. Nicholas and his helpers. The city park is decorated with Christmas light installations. Beautiful 3D decorations add to the magical atmosphere in the city centre. In the South Park there is an Advent wreath, an angel, flowers, ice crystals, Christmas balls and a family of penguins.
In addition, there is an avenue of Christmas trees. This year, the tradition of decorating Christmas trees by primary schools in Prešov continued. The pupils decorated the trees with their own ornaments.
Ascent to the church tower
Also this Christmas season, visitors can enjoy the view of Christmas Square from the church tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral. The church tower is open every day from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. until December 23, 2022. In case of inclement weather, the tower is closed.
Christmas markets with charity intention
The Christmas market in Prešov also hides 2 charity stalls. Some schools and institutions decided to make their own products and sell them for charity. Visitors to the markets can thus support those who help others with their donations.
In addition, help was also given through scented punch. The Mayor's punch was offered for a voluntary contribution by the Mayor of Prešov František Oľha, members of the Municipal Assembly of Prešov and employees of the Municipal Office. The proceeds from the charity event will be redistributed to several organizations that are dedicated to the social field. The inhabitants of the city of Prešov themselves can decide who will receive the Christmas joy through online voting.
Part of the aid is the ongoing Charity Concert for the residents of the fire-damaged apartment building at 3 Prostějovská Street in Prešov. After three years since the tragic event, Prešov residents can again help in the form of a public concert with a voluntary entrance fee or a contribution to a transparent account for this purpose. The band Hrdza, Stopa, Michaella, Edo Klena, Rasto Papp, Slovak Pink Floyd Rerival and others will come to support the good cause. The charity concert will take place on 20 December from 16:00 to 20:00.
Štefanská fun and New Year's Eve in Prešov
In the city centre it will be alive and well on St. Stephen's Day. There will be a great St. Stephen's Day party on December 26 at 6:30 pm. To round off the Christmas festivities, the eastern bands Heľenine oči and Nocadeň will rock out to the fullest.
After a three-year break, the New Year celebrations are returning to the centre of Prešov. "The New Year's Eve programme will be opened by the Prešov bands Akustika and Chiki liki tu-a, after them the New Year's Eve entertainment will be literally taken over by the Batida drum show and Prešov will welcome the year 2023 with fireworks and a New Year's Eve speech. However, the fun in the city will not end even after midnight. The acclaimed DJ Dlugosh will take care of its build-up," added Patrícia Nagyová, PKO Culture Manager.
OOCR Region Šariš is again part of the Christmas markets
The central seating area in the square by the Church of St. Nicholas is also part of the Prešov Christmas Market. There are Christmas blankets, warmers and Christmas music.
"In 2019, as OOCR REGIÓN ŠARIŠ, we became co-organisers of the Prešov Christmas Markets, where I have been personally participating as a vendor since 2012. We had the competence to dedicate ourselves to the gastro zone and make it an ecological event. After two years of cancelled Christmas markets, we continue to cooperate with PKO and the city of Prešov. We have created a cultural central seating area where visitors can enjoy their food and drinks in comfort. We have provided tables, chairs, heaters, blankets and seat cushions. To keep with the original idea of an eco-friendly Christmas, we came up with the idea of replacing disposable paper cups with ceramic mugs. This year, visitors to the market can also buy them at our Región Šariš stand," said René Pavlík, a member of OOCR Región Šariš.
Vendors repeatedly pour visitors' favourite Christmas drink into mugs with Prešov Christmas motifs, thus reducing the amount of unwanted waste. After the Christmas market is over, they can also reminisce about the nice moments of Christmas in Prešov thanks to an original and ecological souvenir.
In addition to mugs, the Región Šariš stand offers unique items and experiences. „Our Región Šariš stand is not the typical one that visitors usually expect at Christmas markets. We are an experience stand with tips on how to gift and delight loved ones. At the same time, we inspire them how to spend not only this Christmas time in our region. Visitors may also find interesting the wide range of products from our partners who visit us from Veľký Šariš, Drienice or Zlatá Bana," said Katarína Bartková, employee of OOCR Región Šariš.
From the castle hill, guides from Šariš Castle will visit Prešov from 6 December to 12 December. They will offer their services, souvenirs and a demonstration of historical fencing. The staff of the town of Veľký Šariš will show how to spend time actively in this town.
Slovak Opal Mines will also bring their jewels from Zlata Bana. They will not only present the story of the oldest opal mines in the world, but will also offer a wide range of products for sale. This will include a wooden puzzles depicting symbols associated with opal mines, various types of vouchers for the tour, cut opal itself, jewellery with opal, which has different colouring and much more. The unique occasion when the Slovak Opal Mines will visit Prešov for visitors is from 13 December to 19 December 2022.
Winter sports enthusiasts will find something for themselves. The SKI Lysá ski resort will share information on what skiing is like in the heart of Čergov, what activities and changes it is planning for its visitors during the winter season 2022/2023. In addition, they will offer discounted ski passes, tickets for chairlift rides, a book about the ski resort, maps of the resort and its surroundings, and various tourist accessories in the form of caps, T-shirts, sketchbooks, headbands and energy drinks. And that's only from 20 December to 22 December 2022.
Stalls with goods and refreshments at the Christmas markets are open as follows:
Stalls with goods: Monday - Saturday: 10:00 - 19:00, Sunday: 12:00 - 19:00
Stalls with refreshments: Monday - Saturday: 11:00 - 22:00, Sunday: 12:00 - 22:00
Text and photo: OOCR Región Šariš
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