Christmas Markets in Latvia 2026: Visit the Baltic States

Pagan solstice traditions and Lutheran customs comfortably sit side by side in Latvia’s winter celebrations. The Christmas markets in Latvia are concentrated in Riga but extend to smaller cities like Liepāja and Cēsis, where you’ll find local beekeepers selling candles, hand-thrown ceramics, and traditional grey peas with bacon served from outdoor stalls alongside folk dance and choir performances.

Christmas Markets in Latvia

This guide highlights Latvia’s best Christmas markets. While Riga has the largest market, smaller cities can be worth visiting. Use this list to inspire your trip and start planning.

Dates

Status: Confirmed
Latvia dates: 27th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Last checked: November 2026

Update: Dates were finalised in October. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of changes.

Riga

Riga’s winter markets are the main attraction, with the central event in Doma Laukums (Cathedral Square) and another nearby in Livu Laukums. A smaller market operates at Esplanade Park, located in front of the Orthodox Cathedral, offering several options for exploration.

Status: Confirmed
Riga dates: 27th November 2026 to 3rd January 2027
Source: Instagram
Location: Dome Square (Doma laukums) and Līvu Square
Opening times:
Monday to Thursday: 11am to 9pm
Friday and Saturday: 10am to 10pm
Sunday: 10am to 9pm
Christmas Eve: 10am to 8pm
Christmas Day: 10am to 9pm
Boxing Day: 10am to 8pm
New Year’s Eve: 10am to 2am
New Year’s Day: 12pm to 8pm

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On Saturdays, visit the Christmas Fair in Kalnciems Quarter across the Daugava River. This year-round market features goods from Latvian farmers, artisans, designers, musicians, and plants from the Baltic region. The area is also renowned for its cultural events and distinctive timber architecture, making it worth the trip.

Read my complete Riga Christmas Market guide.

For somewhere to stay, these well-reviewed hotels in Riga are conveniently located.

Other Cities

Daugavpils

Latvia’s second-largest city, near the Lithuanian and Belarusian borders, hosts markets on Rigas Street with lights and decorations throughout the streets. The season opens with the main tree lighting on Vienības laukums. Off the beaten path for most tourists, but an interesting stop if heading to Lithuania. The city retains Polish and Russian cultural influences, including Eastern Orthodox churches and Art Nouveau architecture.

Status: Confirmed
Christmas Tree lighting: Unity Square, 29th November 2026
Santa Claus Residence: 12th to 26th December 2026
Source: Visit Daugavpils

Liepāja

Latvia’s third-largest city, this coastal city appeals mainly to local tourists and features Art Nouveau architecture, a style common throughout Latvia. Quite far from Riga, but useful if travelling towards Klaipeda in Lithuania. This is a one-day market on tree-lighting day and a Christmas gift market selling mittens, decorations, knitwear, Advent wreaths, candles and linen from Latvian makers.

Status: Expected
Dates: Sunday, 29th November 2026
Location: Rožu Laukums
Opening hours: 12pm to 8pm
Source: Latvia Portal

Cēsis

If you’re heading to northern Latvia, Cēsis is known for its medieval castle and scenic winter landscapes. Enjoy live music, performances, and traditional Latvian folk dances throughout the season to enhance the festive atmosphere. Explore Cēsis Castle, one of Latvia’s best-preserved medieval fortresses, and visit the nearby Cēsis History and Art Museum for additional activities.

Status: Expected
Tree lighting: Sunday, 29th November 2026
Location: Rožu Laukums
Source: Events in Cēsis

Valmiera

Similarly, Valmiera typically hosts several small events in its city centre, surrounded by historic buildings, including St. Simon’s Church and the ruins of Valmiera Castle. Traditional treats, such as smoked sausages and hot cranberry juice, are available at the Valmiera Culture Centre during concerts.

Status: Expected
Tree lighting: Sunday, 29th November 2026
Winter Market: 12th December in front of the Cultural Centre, 10am to 2pm
Christmas Gift Fair: 20th December at the Olympic Centre, 11am to 4pm
Source: Latvia Portal

Winter Events

Christmas in Latvia

Christmas in Latvia centres around the Winter Solstice, reflecting the country’s deep connection to nature and ancient traditions. Families prepare for Ziemassvētki (Christmas) by gathering natural decorations, such as pine cones, fir branches, and juniper, alongside the traditional tree.

The celebration peaks on Christmas Eve with a feast featuring traditional dishes like pork with sauerkraut, grey peas with bacon, and piparkūkas (spiced gingerbread cookies). Many families still follow the old custom of eating an odd number of dishes for good luck in the coming year.

Gift-giving happens on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning, with families gathering around the tree after their meal. The tradition of mumming, where costumed visitors go door-to-door singing carols and performing short plays, still occurs in rural areas, keeping alive customs that predate Christianity.

Latvia’s unique position between German, Russian, and Scandinavian influences shows in holiday foods like speķa pīrādziņi (bacon rolls) and beverages like warming honey wine, creating celebrations that feel distinctly Baltic rather than following Western European patterns.

Sustainability

• Keep and return your mug: Riga requires reusable deposit cups instead of disposables at temporary street stalls and events, so mulled wine on Cathedral Square (Doma laukums) comes in a deposit cup. Keep it for refills and hand it back before you leave to get your deposit back.
• Cash in your bottles: Every drink bottle and can sold in Latvia carries a 10 cent deposit. Feed your empties into the reverse vending machines at supermarkets such as Rimi for a voucher, or donate the refund to charity at the machine.
• Get a tram pass: A Rīgas satiksme 90-minute ticket costs €1.50 with unlimited transfers, and the 24-hour, 3-day and 5-day passes cost €5, €8 and €10. Buy them in an app such as Timey, and you can get around by tram, trolleybus and bus without a car.
• Shop the Kalnciema Quarter market: This restored courtyard of wooden houses holds a Saturday producers’ market from 10am to 4pm, with farm food and crafts from across Latvia, plus a Christmas market on Advent weekends. Airport bus 22 passes right outside.
• Check the vendor map: The Cathedral Square market features more than 80 Latvian artisans and home producers. The organisers publish a vendor map, so you can find the knitted mittens, sheepskin, amber or hemp treats you’re after before you go.
• Stay somewhere Green Key certified: Some hotels hold Green Key certification for their energy, water and waste practices.