Christmas Markets in Riga 2025 - Experience Latvian Traditions

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Riga is a charming winter capital and ranks among Europe’s top Christmas destinations. The city hosts numerous festive events for the whole family in the picturesque Old Town, with the enchanting Christmas Market as the centrepiece. Visitors can explore stalls offering locally made Latvian products and treats, including traditional holiday foods and beverages. Read more about Riga’s Christmas markets.

Riga is the capital of Latvia. Latvia is one of the three Baltic countries, situated south of Estonia and north of Lithuania. You can easily reach the city by plane, ferry or car from any European city.

The city isn’t only a summer destination. In winter, its medieval center comes alive with a cosy, festive atmosphere. The city is filled with the sights, sounds, and aromas of holiday traditions, while locals share their warmth and hospitality, making every visitor feel welcome in the enchanting capital.

Riga has two Christmas markets and many smaller Christmas events. Since the city is small, the Christmas markets are close to each other, making it possible to visit all of them on the same day. We visited Riga's Christmas markets the previous year and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

This article guides Riga's Christmas markets, featuring updated information for the 2025 season. While we've provided descriptions based on past events, the actual activities may vary slightly.

Christmas Market on Dome Square is the main Christmas Market in Riga. It is also often referred to as the Old Riga Christmas Market because its location lies in the heart of Riga's Old Town. Medieval Old Town is lively, offering nice sights, bars, restaurants and beautiful architecture.

The Old Riga Christmas Market is next to the Riga Cathedral. It is easy to find with the aid of Google Maps. First, you need to reach the new centre of Riga, for example, by bus, tram or train. Almost all public transport routes go via the central station, from where you can walk and reach Riga's Old Town in 10 minutes. From Old Town, you need to walk a few minutes more to reach Christmas Market.

In our view, the Christmas Market in Old Town has the best Christmas atmosphere in Riga. The alleys of Old Town and the tall cathedral next to the Christmas Market give you a feeling of being in a real medieval Christmas town. The feeling gets even stronger when the dark sets in, and you can smell the flavours of Christmas.

Old Riga Christmas Market creates an international atmosphere. Well-known Christmas music is played in the background, and people speak English. The Christmas Market attracts tourists and locals alike, with young and old coming to enjoy its Christmas atmosphere.

We visited the Old Riga Christmas Market multiple times during our getaway in Riga.

In 2025, Old Riga Christmas Market will be open from November 29, 2025, to January 2, 2026, from mornings to late evenings. The exact opening times vary every day. The Christmas Market is open from 11 am to 9 pm on Mondays to Thursdays and Sundays. On Fridays and Saturdays, it operates from 10 am to 10 pm. On Sundays, the market closes at 8 pm. There are lively programs every week, especially on the weekends.

Your visit to the Christmas Market would be incomplete without tasting drinks and traditional foods. For example, we tasted mulled wine and traditionally oven-baked cheese bread. We also ate Latvian soup cooked traditionally with a woodfire at the warm Cafe Elizabete in the middle of the market. Even though prices in Old Town are higher, we recommend trying these tasty products of Riga. Warm drinks also help you to stay warm in the cold weather.

In the market, you can buy mulled wine, rum and other alcoholic drinks. Naturally, coffee is also available, as well as hot chocolate for children. The market also sells freshly baked Latvian bread, sausages and potatoes. You'll find plenty of delicious options to satisfy your appetite.

Cafe Elizabete served delicious soups with friendly service.

The Old Riga Christmas Market is the perfect spot for buying souvenirs. Your purchases go directly to local producers, allowing you to enjoy authentic Latvian goods while supporting entrepreneurs.

From a few market stalls at the Christmas Market, visitors can buy Latvian delicacies like honey, sweets, candies and locally produced cookies. Additionally, some market stalls offer Latvian wool products. Local handicrafts are a nice Christmas present idea.

Different activities are organised in the Christmas Market for kids and adults. The activities for kids include:

• Children's carousel
• Gingerbread baking
• Sheep petting zoo
• Pony rides in good weather conditions
• Meeting the real Santa Claus
• Performances and games

Every week, there is a free program to enjoy.

Just a short walk from the hectic Dome Square, you'll find the charming Līvu Square (Livu Laukums) Christmas Market. Although smaller than its larger counterpart, this market offers a cosy and intimate holiday experience.

The historic Great Guild Hall, dating back to the 14th century, is a must-see and conveniently located nearby.

The Līvu Square Christmas Market is expected to be open from late November to early January. Its hours of operation typically match those of the Dome Square market.

Similar to the Christmas markets in Riga, you'll have the opportunity to savour both warm, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, along with delicious Latvian cuisine. Your visit to Christmas in Riga ensures that you won't go hungry.

The market stalls at Riga's various Christmas markets share similar characteristics. In Livu Square, you can also explore a selection of top-notch Latvian products, including artisan crafts, festive decorations, and cosy clothing. While we advise against unnecessary purchases, if you need warm gloves, hats, or scarves, why not support local producers and bring a smile to their faces?

Expect to find fewer activities since the main activities are in the Old Town Christmas Market.

Just outside Old Town, yet still in central Riga, you'll find another Christmas Market. It’s set in Esplanade Park, only a 10-minute walk from the central station. Convenient bus and tram routes pass by the park, making it easy to reach without walking. The park is lively, right in the heart of downtown.

Although the Esplanade Park Christmas Market does not match the atmosphere of Old Town, it still has many nice attractions and is unique on its own. Esplanade Park Christmas Market has a rabbit park where children and adults can feed cute rabbits with carrots. They are so tame that they can accidentally bite your fingers if you are not careful. Another nice attraction for children is the colourful Ferris wheel.

Esplanade Park Christmas Market is a place you must visit. Additionally, the market features numerous stalls offering food, drinks, and souvenirs, similar to the Old Riga Christmas Market. The park is crowded with people, which makes it lively in the evenings. Rabbits, a giant Christmas tree and a Ferris wheel make this park a great Christmas attraction in Riga.

Esplanade Park Christmas Market is also expected to be open from late November to early January, from mornings to late evenings.

Like in the Old Riga Christmas Market, the Esplanade Park Christmas Market stalls sell similar drinks and food.

Market stalls in Esplanade Park Christmas Market sell similar products as in Old Town.

The rabbit park is perhaps the best attraction in the Esplanade Park Christmas Market. Energetic and healthy-looking rabbits move freely in a fenced area and wait for visitors' food. It is not allowed to feed them with your food, but you can buy carrots from a market stall and feed them. These lovely rabbits make children and adults easily love this market.

The Ferris wheel is another way to make children happy. In addition to its colourful lights, the Christmas Market looks lively in the evening. There is also Christmas music playing in the background.

As an added treat, exclusively on Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm, you have the chance to explore the seasonal fair held at the Kalnciems District (Kalnciema kvartāls), situated on the opposite side of the Daugava River.

The exceptional wooden architecture alone makes it a worthwhile visit. Additionally, a bustling and charming market featuring artisanal foods, handmade crafts, and live music will undoubtedly infuse vibrancy into your time in Riga.

If you are visiting Riga for the first time in the winter, there are a few things you need to know. Riga warmly welcomes travellers.

In December, the weather in Riga is typically chilly, with temperatures ranging from -1 degree Celsius to even colder. During this time, it is expected to experience snowfall or rain, making the streets frozen and slippery. Although Riga doesn't receive much snow, there is a possibility of occasional heavy snowfalls, which can create a magical winter atmosphere.

The most important advice is to dress warmly so you will enjoy the whole day outside. So remember to wear many layers of clothes.

With enough clothing layers on, you will survive hours in the cold weather.

Riga is a safe city. However, we advise avoiding dark areas where there are no other people. Crimes can happen anywhere. Be mindful of your consumption in bars, as some establishments may apply unexpected charges.

One of the best things about Riga is the low accommodation price. Especially in winter, hotels are cheap. We have a few hotel recommendations.

Bellevue Park Hotel Riga is a 4-star hotel just a 12-minute tram ride away from the centre. It can also be accessed directly from the airport by bus. The hotel's location is perfect, and it offers high-quality accommodations. We have stayed in this hotel and got value for the money.

Riga Hotel Islande is an affordable but good-quality hotel on an island on the Daugava River. The location is good, but the price is still low.

Those who prefer the best quality should stay in one of the Radisson hotels in the centre. Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija is situated right next to Esplanade Park, making the location perfect.

Flying is the most practical way to travel to Riga. Many low-cost airlines, like Ryanair, Norwegian and airBaltic fly to Riga. Tickets are usually affordable.

Riga Airport is near the city centre, and a bus ticket costs only 1.81 euros one way. Taxis are affordable, but avoid using non-licensed taxis.

Riga can also be reached by bus from Estonia, Lithuania, or Finland. There are many daily connections between these Baltic capitals. From Helsinki, you can take Flixbus to Riga, and the ride includes the ferry ticket to cross the Gulf of Finland.

Sometimes, there are seasonal ferry routes to Riga from Stockholm and Helsinki. An overnight ferry is perhaps the most comfortable way to arrive in Riga. Unfortunately, the routes are not normally available in the winter.

After enjoying Christmas markets in Riga, why not continue to Tallinn, only 279 kilometres away? Tallinn has also a beautiful Old Town with an awesome Christmas Market.In Tallinn, the price level is low.

From Tallinn, you can continue even further to Helsinki by Ferry. The ride takes 2.5 hours. In Helsinki, there are many Christmas markets. After Helsinki, seeing Stockholm Christmas markets is a logical next step since you can travel to Stockholm by ferry too.

Unfortunately, Helsinki is more expensive than these Baltic destinations, but by making wise choices, you can still make the best of your travel budget. For example, use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights to/from Helsinki.

Riga should be your top pick if you're seeking a magical winter vacation in the Baltic region. Experiencing Christmas in Riga ensures a captivating and memorable journey filled with charming markets, a lively atmosphere, and beautiful holiday decorations. You enjoy the city's excellent amenities, including efficient public transportation., Even on a modest budget, Accessibility from Central Europe and the Nordic countries adds to Riga's appeal.

Beyond the numerous Christmas markets, Riga is counted among Europe's most budget-friendly winter holiday destinations, providing a wealth of activities throughout the city, including the impressive Art Nouveau district. Despite the chilly and dark weather in December, the festive Christmas markets bring a warm glow to the city, making Riga an appealing winter destination. And since Riga's beauty transforms with the seasons, we recommend visiting this Baltic gem at least twice a year: once in winter and once in summer.

Have you visited Riga's Christmas markets? Please share with us your experiences below!

Tags: Christmas Market, Riga, travel guide Destinations: Latvia