Ho, ho, ho — Saint Nicholas’ Day is knocking on our door, the holiday spirit is in the air, and Bratislava is adding even more Christmas cheer by putting its seasonal tram back on the rails along with other themed vehicles.

Article continues after video advertisement

Article continues after video advertisement

Bratislava’s streets will once again, for the 15th year in a row, be lit up by the return of the city’s Christmas fleet, a popular holiday attraction operated by the Bratislava Public Transport Company (DPB).

From December 5, 2025, until January 6, 2026, residents and visitors can look forward to themed trams, a trolleybus and a regular bus decorated for the season — including the iconic Christmas tram, which has become one of the capital’s most recognisable Advent symbols.

Double joy

This year residents and visitors can enjoy two themed trams. DPB has expanded the festive fleet this year to include a second decorated tram, a blue-and-white trolleybus featuring city landmarks and a Christmas bus in red-green knitted patterns. These vehicles will run on regular lines across Bratislava, and employ the standard ticketing system (the original Christmas tram, running on a central loop, remains free to ride; see below). Passengers will also hear festive bells accompanying stop announcements.

The first Christmas tam is an historical Tatra T2, bringing a dose of nostalgia to the festive routes. Its classic design and soft, warm lighting are designed to evoke Christmases of earlier decades. The popular “book tree,” created from stacked books, is also expected to return as a reminder of the connection between the holidays and literature.

The second tram, an articulated K2G, adds a contemporary touch. Designed by graphic artist Saki Matsumoto , the tram is wrapped in illustrations inspired by well-known Christmas songs. Every Sunday in December, it will transform into a moving concert hall, offering passengers a mini acoustic concert while it passes through the city.

This year’s concert programme includes four performances:

• December 7: Canens women’s choir

• December 14: Katarína Koščová & Daniel Špiner

• December 21: Tamara Kramar

• December 28: Otec Mirec – Silvester warm-up

Tickets for the performances will be available at a symbolic price, with proceeds donated to the Javorinská Social Services Centre .

Also, special weekend rides will again be offered for families with children, featuring fairy-tale readings and small themed activities . These themed rides require passengers to make online reservations, due to limited capacity. They continue the tradition of dedicated storytelling afternoons inside Bratislava’s decorated Christmas tram.

Same route, different experiences

The tram will operate daily on its classic circular route starting at Jesenského, passing central stops such as Námestie SNP, Kapucínska, the tunnel, the riverbank and then back to Jesenského. It will run every 30 minutes between 16:00 and 20:00, and from 12:00 at weekends and on holidays. The only exception is December 24, when the tram will not operate. All rides on the Christmas tram are free of charge.

Beyond the city centre, visitors can stop by the “Vianočná Miletrička,” a Christmas-themed K2S tram turned into a pop-up café at the Miletičova market. It will open on weekends until December 21, with a lighting ceremony scheduled for December 5 at 16:00.

The Christmas fleet once again aims to bring holiday magic to the capital – offering tradition, community spirit and a touch of fairy tale for everyone who boards.