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Every year, Riga sets up the Christmas market, providing an ultimate festive experience for its visitors with stalls, traditional treats, and lively performances.
In 2022, we started our Baltic Christmas market tour in Vilnius, Lithuania, and our next stop was Riga, Latvia, which is known for its vibrant vibes and as a student city.
Apart from exploring Riga, we also visited different Christmas markets and indulged in the celebration of Christmas, Latvian style.
But first question!
How to reach to Riga:
It depends on where you're traveling from. Riga is well-connected by bus, train, and both local and international flights.
By Flight:
Riga International Airport is located slightly outside the city, but it’s still close—just 10 km from the center.
By Bus:
As we were traveling from Vilnius, it was more convenient to take a bus than a flight. The journey took around 4 hours by bus, but the buses are very comfortable and punctual. You can also explore bus options here.
How to reach to Riga from the Airport:
By Public Transport:
There’s a direct bus to the city center from the airport, but you can also take Uber or Bolt (an alternative to Uber in Riga), both of which are very economical. You can usually get a ride within a few minutes. We paid around 12 euros for our trip to the airport on our way back.
Tips for Visiting Riga’s Christmas Markets:
1. When to Visit:
The Christmas markets in Riga usually open from late November until early January. We visited Riga in the middle of December, and the markets were fine - not super crowded. So, we suggest you plan your visit for either early or mid-December if you want to avoid the large crowd.
2. What to Wear:
Winters in Riga are often very cold and snowy, and if the temperature increases from minus then snow changes into the ice and the street turns out to be slippery. This is exactly what happened during our visit.
We suggest you wear dress warmly with layers, and wear snow boots so you can easily walk on the icy streets safely. Don’t forget a hat, scarf, and gloves!
3. What to Eat:
Like any other Christmas market, there are also some traditional Latvian holiday treats like Piragi (Latvian buns), hot smoked sausages, and gingerbread.
4. Currency:
The official currency of Latvia is euro (€) and you will be surprised to see that most of the street vendors accept card payments (unlike in Germany).
But still, it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for smaller stalls or food vendors.
5. Check the Event Schedule:
There are special events like choir performances, folk dances, and concerts. We would like to suggest to check the schedule in advance to enjoy these festive activities.
Christmas Market in Riga:
1. Doma Square:
The largest and most visited Christmas market in Riga is set in Riga Cathedral Square, also known as Dome Square. It’s the heart of the city, with the Riga Cathedral as a backdrop.
To be honest, it gives a similar vibe to the German Christmas markets. Wooden stalls are set up in the square, selling various traditional Latvian goods such as hand-knitted woolen socks, mittens, scarves, wooden toys, and ceramics.
There are also food stalls offering traditional Latvian dishes like sauerkraut with sausage and grey peas with bacon.
One of the highlights of the market is its Christmas tree, decorated with festive lights. That’s not all—there are also fun activities for both kids and adults, such as a small carousel, ice skating rink, and live performances.
Since the weather is very cold, we found a unique concept where they light a fire in the center, allowing people to gather and stay warm. The market becomes very crowded with locals and tourists, and it’s a popular spot for families to enjoy the coziness and festive atmosphere of Christmas together.
2. Livu Square Christmas Market:
The second most famous spot to enjoy the Christmas vibes in Riga is the Livu Square Christmas Market. It is located just a short walk from Dome Square.
This Christmas market is well-known for its lively atmosphere, which is enhanced by open-air concerts, performances by local choirs, and of course, the Latvian food.
3. Esplanade Park Christmas Market:
The Christmas Park at Esplanade Park in Riga is a bit different from other traditional Christmas markets, as it’s located in a park and features pretty decorations with lights and small stalls.
The main highlight is definitely its setup, with wooden stalls selling traditional Latvian ornaments and winter street food like potato pancakes, roasted nuts, and warming teas.
4. Kalnciema Quarter Christmas Market:
If you happen to be in Riga on a weekend in December, you should also visit the Kalnciema Quarter Christmas Market. This Christmas market is located on the left bank of the river and is mostly popular among the locals.
The market doesn’t set up every day; it opens every weekend in December. It is known for its high-quality, eco-friendly, and artisanal products.
The Kalnciema Quarter Christmas Market also has a vibrant atmosphere, with live music, traditional food stalls, and entertainment.
5. Central Market Christmas Fair:
The Central Market of Riga is one of Europe’s largest and oldest markets. It operates throughout the year, but during the holiday season, it transforms with festive vibes and is lit up with Christmas decorations.
You can explore various stalls selling fresh products and also buy famous Christmas specialties and treats like piparkūkas (gingerbread cookies) from the Central Market Christmas Fair.
6. Roam around the old town of Riga:
You can also take a stroll through the cobblestone streets of Old Town Riga and enjoy the lighting - almost every street, café, and restaurant gets into the holiday spirit and has Christmas decorations.
The Old Town looks absolutely beautiful, and you will find many spots to take pictures.
Ending note:
While you wander on the cobblestone streets of Riga's Old town, you can enjoy the beautiful Christmas decor with twinkling lights and the hustle and bustle of people in the Christmas markets enjoying holiday vibes. We would highly recommend visiting Tallinn & Vilnius and also experience the festivity of holidays there.
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