Germany and Austria might have the most famous Christmas markets, but they are also the most crowded. If you are looking for an authentic European holiday experience without millions of tourists getting in the way, head to the Riga Christmas Market! You’ll be charmed by the beautiful architecture and cozy atmosphere of this historic little city. And if you’re lucky, you might even get some snow!
TheĀ main Riga Christmas market is in Dome Square at the very heart of the old town. Dome Cathedral towers over the wooden chalets which are topped with festive candy-cane striped awnings. You’ll find an impressive array of local handicrafts for sale, such as wool scarves, beeswax candles, amber jewelry, and glass Christmas baubles with traditional Latvian designs.
Food and beverage options are just as enticing. You can dig into a the classic Latvian feast of smoked sausage, sauerkraut, and potatoes, or sample some of the city’s fabulous pastries. Warm your hands with a cup of karsts vÄ«ns (mulled wine), or try the more unique (and potent) Riga Black Balsam with black currant or sea buckthorn juice.
To see the market from above, pop inside the Riga Bourse Museum. A window on the second floor will give you a perfect birds-eye view! Bonus, you can warm up while enjoying some fantastic art.
The Riga Christmas market typically runs from the first day of Advent in early December, through Orthodox Christmas in early January. For the exact dates and opening hours, check the Riga Tourism website.
A secondĀ smaller market is set up in Esplanade Park, beside the golden-domed Nativity of Christ Cathedral. The highlight here is the “BunnyĀ Kingdom,” miniature village that’s home to dozens of rabbits. Men dressed as Santa walk around the perimeter carrying buckets of cabbage and carrots, which you can feed to the bunnies for a small fee. You can find the opening dates and hours for the Riga Esplanade Christmas market here.
Historically, a third market was set up in charming LÄ«vu Square near the main entrance to old town. But as of 2023, it has been relocated to the larger VÄrmanes Garden behind the University of Latvia. I haven’t had the chance to visit this new Riga Christmas market, but you can get the details here.
Another special feature of Riga’s holiday season is theĀ Christmas Light Trail. It started as a collection of unique Christmas trees, and now includes artistic light installations to brighten up the long, dark winter days. (If you are looking for more special Riga winter activities, definitely check out my guide!)
The city changes up its lights and decorations every year, so you never know what colorful and creative things you’ll find!
Lastly, you can tell all your friends that you’ve been to the city where Christmas trees were invented! According to local legend, members of the Blackheads guild decorated a pine tree outside their merchant house on Christmas Eve in 1510. Today, a similar tree stands in front of the beautifully restored House of the Blackheads, giving you a glimpse of Riga’s medieval past.
Are you ready to visit the Riga Christmas Market?
Save this guide for easy reference!
For more quaint Christmas experiences, check out my guides to the markets in Tallinn, Nuremberg, and Alsace.
What a great post! You are making me think I might want to come back again next year at this time. I love all the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Going to be a quiet one for us this year.
I can’t believe you came all this way and endured the cold and yet missed the glory that is Riga at Christmas. Who knew?! You might have some competition for the guest room come next Christmas š
What a beautiful old city and so clean and neat. The beautiful photos are amazing. You have some really neat shots which requires some good
imagination. Love the dance scene with you leading the group. I can tell you were the leader with your black gloves on. Smile..
Thanks, Dad š This city really is beautiful and I hope you will get to see it in person. I’d love to show you around!
Beautiful place. Seems every where is filled with pretty decorations and colorful lights. And the architecture is great, too.
Riga really is incredibly beautiful, any time of year!
So, are you officially Riga’s “Bunny Lady” now? Was just in a Saigon cafe this past weekend and they had a rabbit people could take out and play with. I guess it’s so used to being held that it would just sit quietly for the longest period of time. I WANT ONE.
Haha, I guess I am. They are just so darned cute, the way they chew that cabbage. You could probably get one pretty easily. Doesn’t someone ride around your neighborhood with a mobile pet store?
Till when you leave your Christmas decorations in Riga pls
Looks very festive! I might do a Baltic States Christmas markets tour next year. Should be fun although the weather might be a bit gloomy.
It snowed here Christmas day and now it’s bright and sunny – perfect for taking walks! I still haven’t made it down to Vilnius, but would like to see its Christmas market, too. Maybe I’ll meet you there next year š
You took such beautiful pictures! They are all so breath-taking! What was your favourite memory from the place? Wishing you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! XxX
Thank you, Agness! I hope you are having a very merry Christmas in Poland with your family!
The Christmas Tree Trail is such a cool idea, I love all the different materials they are made from and how unique they all are! And agree, I would LOVE to experience the Christmas Markets in Europe, I bet they are so special:-) Wishing you the very merriest Christmas, and a wonderful New Year, Heather!
I am continually amazed by the creativity and craftsmanship in this part of the world! Even the chocolate-covered apricots we bought at the Christmas market have “handmade in Latvia” on the label. Amazing!
I hope you are enjoying a very merry Christmas with your family!
What an edgy and hip place to celebrate the season … hope you are having a great holiday!
Thanks, Caroline! Happy holidays š
Wonderful!
Riga is my hometown and my the most favorite city. I am glad you enjoyed your time there!:)
Thank you for your beautiful photo-story! It made me smile and homesick in a good way ( currently I am exploring India)!
Happy Holidays!!
Thank you, Oksana! I love your hometown! I am actually living in Riga and am enjoying it very much. Have fun in India! š
I have to say your market sellers look much more cheerful than ours here in Warsaw! š The two stalls here where people were the friendliest were being run by Croatians and a Lithuanian guy. Enjoy the festivities!
Yeah Heather, did you spike them with something to make them smile like that?? š Great pics š
LOL, I’m telling you, everyone I meet here is so nice! Bridget, the older lady holding the doll, told me her whole life story. Granted, it was in Latvian, so I only caught about a third of what she said, but still š
A third isn’t bad at this stage! š
LOL! I had heard that the Latvians could be reserved and even a little cold, but I’m not finding that to be true at all. Of course, it probably helps that I’m forever walking around with a huge grin on my face exclaiming how beautiful everything is š
Yeah, they lap that shit up š
Hahaha! š
Heather, I’m SO glad you moved to Riga! š Totally loving all of these posts – I had no idea about the Xmas tree trail…that’s so cool. And – seriously – can we talk about major cuteness with the bunnies and cats?! Hope you had a fantastic Christmas!
I’m really glad I moved to Riga, too! š We had a wonderful Christmas and I can’t wait to see what adventures 2015 has in store. Happy new year, Daina!
I loved this blog when it was first posted and enjoyed it this time too. Brought back a lot of memories from my trip there. I always kick myself when I get home, cause I never buy enough of their crafts. Other than it being so cold, I really enjoyed this trip. Was so surprised by the rabbit village. I wanted to get in and play with them. Riga is just such a beautiful city. Anytime of the year is a good time to visit.
Riga is just amazing, especially at Christmas š Awesome city!
I completely agree! š
Hello Heather..! I always heard about the Riga and I always ignore it, but after I saw and finished reading your article about Riga, I was totally amazed; I never thought Riga is really excellent in about Christmas. Hopefully, someday I can see that place personally.