A seasonal Advent tradition on Charles Bridge in Prague features a lantern lighter in historical uniform manually lighting 46 gas lamps each day from the late afternoon, a practice that runs through December 23, 2025, using an original late-19th-century lighting pole from the Prague Gas Museum.

Gas lighting in Prague has deep roots, first introduced in 1847 and peaking around 1940, declined with electrification, and experienced a revival in the early 21st century; since late 2010, gas lamps illuminate Charles Bridge, making it the only bridge worldwide still lit by gas and the only one with its own lantern lighter.

This Advent event is presented as a must-see for visitors spending the season in Prague, emphasizing its heritage-driven spectacle as part of the city’s festive traditions.

The gas lamps enhance the historical atmosphere and illuminate the Royal Route, aligning the Advent ritual with a popular tourist path from the Powder Tower to Hradčanské náměstí and making it a notable Christmas-season experience for visitors.

The lighting ceremony begins at Královnické náměstí, in front of the Church of St Francis of Assisi, proceeds along the bridge’s right-hand side toward Malá Strana, then pivots near the Lesser Town Bridge Tower to light lamps on the return side toward the Old Town.