For a small city, Riga is busy with events and celebrations throughout December. The main Riga Christmas Market is in Doma Laukums, the historic main square, while another is not far away in Livu Laukums. There is even a much smaller market on Esplanade Park in front of the Orthodox Cathedral that is worth visiting.
In this guide, I share the confirmed dates, locations and local specialties for 2024.
Riga Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Riga Christmas Market dates: 29th November 2024 to 2nd January 2025 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in July. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the tourist office, available here.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Doma Laukums (Town Square), Livu Laukums and Esplanade Park.
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 11am to 9pm.
Friday and Saturday: 10am to 10pm.
Sunday: 10am to 8pm.
Christmas Eve: 10am to 6pm.
Christmas Day: Open.
Travel and Accommodation
Recommended tour: Riga Culture and Food Tour offers a great mix of food and history and sights.
Public transport: Widely available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Travel tip: Riga has one of the largest Art Nouveau neighbourhoods in the world. Well worth a visit!
Riga weather in December: Temperatures average 1°C / -4°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Neiburgs Hotel is only 100 metres from the main square.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: Yes, but not at the event.
Reason to visit: Great value for money and interesting Latvian traditions.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialties: Grey peas and bacon.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.
Convenient Hotels
Given that Riga’s old town is relatively small and walkable, many hotels in this area are suitable for a short stay. On my visit, I stayed on the opposite side of the river and regretted not staying more centrally.
The Neiburgs Hotel is a brilliant choice if you want to be in the centre of the old town and stay in a stunning Art Nouveau building, the style that Riga is known for.
Click through to my hotels in Riga guide for more recommended places to stay.
Recommended Tours
I highly suggest taking the Riga Culture and Food Tour. This tour allows you to explore many of the city’s highlights while also discovering the local cuisine and culture.
You’ll have the opportunity to see some of Riga’s most famous landmarks and attractions, such as the Freedom Monument, House of the Blackheads and St Peter’s Church, from which you can enjoy stunning views over the city.
Latvia is a wonderful country with many interesting places to visit. My Latvia Christmas Markets List might help you to plan where to go in Latvia in winter.
Location Map
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
At the Market Stalls
Riga’s market is famous for its artisanal gifts and decorations. You can find hand-carved homewares, kitchen utensils, hand-knitted scarves, gloves and socks, locally made candles and decorations.
I think the market is less commercial than the markets in Europe’s larger cities, making it more authentic in that respect. Things might have changed since my visit so let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Regional Specialties
Regarding food specialties, the Riga market uses seasonal produce to make delicious food, including hearty soups, gingerbread and the traditional Latvian dish of grey peas and bacon.
Rye bread is considered an important aspect of Latvian cultural heritage, and you’ll find wonderful examples of this dark bread throughout Riga. You can buy it at the market or in specialty bakeries. Look out for rye bread cake, an extension of this traditional food.
Rowan berries are another local food to look out for during winter. It’s a unique fruit that those of us outside the region will likely have never tried before. In Riga, you can get them in dried or powdered form directly from the market, but you’ll also find them in a number of dishes and drinks.
Christmas in Riga
In Latvia, Christmas is more commonly celebrated as the winter solstice, and events are centred around this. Traditionally, Christmas presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve, so if you’re in Riga at this time, you might want to celebrate in the same way.
The Winter Solstice or Yule Log Eve is celebrated on the shortest day and the longest night of the year. This occurs on the 21st December 2024.
One of the great things about Riga in December is that the market dates extend past Christmas Day. This is unusual in many parts of Europe, where they typically end on Christmas Eve.
This means you can enjoy the festivities during New Year’s Eve and into the first week of January 2025.
Along with the many winter events, Riga is one of Europe’s most affordable winter break destinations. There are many things to do around the city, including in the incredible Art Nouveau neighbourhood.
Christmas Tree Trail
While Riga might not be one of the first destinations that comes to mind when thinking about Christmas, it’s worth noting that, in 1510, it was believed to be the first city in the world to put up a decorated Christmas tree.
The Christmas Tree Trail is an arts festival dedicated to the Christmas tree. Throughout the city, you’ll find unique, traditional, and modern tree art.
Sustainability
- Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
- Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
- Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
- Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
- Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
- Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
- Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
- Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
- Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
- Support the arts and attend local events.
- Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.
If you visited Riga in December or Xmas in Latvia in the past and would like to share your experience, leave a comment below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
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