January 2, 2026 News

The Three Kings Collection is entering its 26th year this January

At the beginning of January, groups of carollers will once again fill the streets with a joyful message about the birth of the Saviour. They will sing or recite carols, give out small presents, write their blessings in chalk above doorways, or place a sticker with the letters C + M + B 2026. Simultaneously, the carollers will collect money in sealed collection boxes to help people in difficult living circumstances. There are many people around us who need such support.

Thousands of volunteers traditionally take part in the largest charity collection in the Czech Republic, held in the first half of January. This way, they continue the age-old folk custom of the Three Kings carol. The three letters C, M, and B mentioned above stand for Christus Mansionem Benedicat: May Christ bless this house. Sometimes, they are interpreted as names of the three wise men or kings: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.

The Three Kings carolling with the charity collection boxes will take place in the streets from January 1 to January 14, 2026.

The groups of carollers are equipped with an ID issued by Caritas Czech Republic as well as a sealed collection box that has the Caritas’ logo. However, people can contribute to the Three Kings Collection throughout the whole year.

The nationwide Three Kings Collection is entering its 26th year this January. The carollers are the messengers of good news, they bring joy to people and, at the same time, offer opportunities to start the year with a good deed – the donors can show solidarity with those who cannot manage without help from others,

says Lukáš Curylo, the director of Caritas Czech Republic that traditionally organises the Three Kings Collection.

How will this year differ from others?

In June, we filmed a new promotional spot for the Three Kings Collection, which will run on social media. Moreover, the Three Kings Collection website has also been given a fresh look, which we aligned to match the style of the new spot,

says Gabriela Víšová, the lead coordinator of the Three Kings Collection.

Blessing from Marián Pospěcha

This year, the blessing for the Three Kings carollers and for everyone who will welcome them was bestowed by priest Marián Pospěcha, the pastor of Dolní Lutyně in the Karviná district. In his short speech, he reminded everyone of the event's spiritual context:

It is not about how much money you collect for charitable causes, but about how much good and blessings you bring to people,

he told the carollers. His blessing is available to view on the Three Kings website.

Staying hydrated as a caroller

The company Mattoni 1873 is ensuring that the carollers have enough to drink.

We are glad to be part of the Three Kings Collection and to provide carollers all over the Czech Republic with drinks as thanks for their time and dedication. Even in winter, it is important to think about hydration and mineral replenishment when carolling. We see the support of volunteers who help others as a meaningful possibility to stand side by side with those who make this world a better place,

says Lutfia Miňovská, the spokesperson for Mattoni 1873.

Those who do not meet the carollers with their collection box can contribute to the charitable cause through the online payment gateway www.trikralovasbirka.cz. The donor can choose the area where their contribution will help by entering the town, the name of the local Caritas branch, or the postal code. It is also possible to donate by sending a donor text or by making a bank transfer.

In 2025, the Three Kings Collection raised a record amount of 184.5 million CZK. The year before, in 2024, the Three Kings Collection raised 175.6 million CZK. You can find the results from all previous years on the Three Kings Collection website.

Where does the money help?

The proceeds of the collection are distributed according to a predefined structure. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of the funds return to the area where the money was collected. Another 15% goes to support major projects of regional (diocesan) Caritas branches. A total of 10% is used for emergency assistance abroad (especially for immediate help during crises such as floods or earthquakes), 5% is allocated for nationwide projects of Caritas Czech Republic, and by law, the remaining 5% is assigned to cover the organisational costs of the collection.

A few examples of how the funds will help

Caritas Luhačovice plans to use the collected money for direct assistance to families with children in difficult social situations and for the purchase of a vehicle for social services. In Frýdek-Místek, they also intend to expand their fleet to improve field services. Caritas Strážnice aims to support its sheltered workplaces for clients with disabilities, while in Horažďovice, the funds will strengthen respite services for seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. In Benešov near Prague, they will focus on socially disadvantaged families and the Caritas clothing bank. Caritas Česká Lípa is collecting funds to support the operation of a social vehicle that transports children with disabilities to school. Caritas Litoměřice will purchase anti-decubitus mattresses for the carecentre on Dómský pahorek. The Regional Caritas Hodonín will support preventive mental health programmes for children at risk of bullying and addiction. It will also strengthen its crisis team that assists in unexpected situations and maintain its safety-net services for people in crisis. The Greek-Catholic Caritas will support leisure activities for children from Ukraine to help them overcome language barriers and make new friends.

The intentions are introduced on the Three Kings Collection website.

The Three Kings Concert on Czech Television

At 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, Czech Television’s ČT1 will broadcast live the traditional Three Kings Concert from the Brno City Theatre. The concert serves as a thank-you to the Three Kings Carollers, partners, and all donors and supporters. The concert will be hosted by Barbora Černošková and Jan Čenský. The concert will feature live musical performances by Janek Ledecký, Poetika, Kristýna Daňhelová and Kvietah. More information about the concert can be found on the Three Kings Collection website.

The concert will show examples of where the money from the Three Kings Collection helps – we will see spots from the shelter for mothers with children in Veselíček u Milevska, from work with people on the margins in Cheb, and from the Home of the Holy Family in Prague, where care is provided for people with intellectual and combined disabilities.

How to donate to the Three Kings Collection?

You can contribute to the Three Kings Collection in the following ways:

you may visit or meet our young Three Kings and make a donation to the sealed collection box that has the Caritas Czech Republic logo,
you may also donate through static collection boxes placed in selected churches, offices, and shops,
you may donate through the online carol (the online collection box is open the whole year),
you may also make a cashless donation to the Česká spořitelna bank account number 66008822/0800, Reference Number 777.
You can also send a donor text: DMS KOLEDA 30 or DMS TRV KOLEDA 30; DMS KOLEDA 60 or DMS TRV KOLEDA 60; DMS KOLEDA 90 or DMS TRV KOLEDA 90; DMS KOLEDA 190 or DMS TRV KOLEDA 190, at the phone number 87 777. More at www.darcovskasms.cz

You can follow the current situation and updates on the Three Kings Website, on Facebook and on Instagram.

The opening ceremony of the collection and supporting events in the regions (selection)

The meeting between carollers in Olomouc and Archbishop Josef Nuzík took place on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of St Anna.

Thursday, January 1

Caritas Roudnice nad Labem is organising the traditional ascent of Mount Říp, with the participation of the Three Kings and a New Year’s service (starting at 3 p.m.) in the Rotunda of St George and Adalbert. More here.

Monday, January 5

Prague: at 3 p.m., Archbishop Jan Graubner will bless the Three Kings carollers in the church of St Thomas in Prague 1. At 3:30 p.m., the Three Kings parade with camels will set out from the parking lot on Lesser Town Square and head over the Charles Bridge. It will end on Old Town Square. There, you can listen to the Czech Christmas Mass “Hey, Master” from 4:45 p.m. More here.

České Budějovice: at 3 p.m., the beginning of the Three Kings Collection will be marked in the Diocese of České Budějovice, next to the Cathedral of St Nicholas. Invitation here.

Pilsen: at 4 p.m., the beginning of the Three Kings Collection will be marked in the great hall of the Pilsen Town Hall. Other events in the Diocese of Pilsen – in Cheb, Karlovy Vary, Klatovy, and Pilson – are outlined here.

The Three Kings Collection in the Diocese of Brno (south Moravia) in detail here.

The Three Kings Collection in the Diocese of Ostrava-Opava (north Moravia and Silesia) in detail here.