Before ringing in the New Year, we joined in on Latvia’s winter solstice celebrations at the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, a short distance outside Riga. According to local websites, the event would be marked with singing and dancing Latvians wearing animal masks and culminate with the burning of a yule log. I knew this was not to […]
Festivals and Holidays
A Guide to the Charming Riga Christmas Market
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 […]
A Magical Christmas in Tallinn, Estonia
Wooden stalls trimmed in evergreen boughs and white lights form a patchwork in Old Town Square. Shoppers bundled against the -12C temperature clutch steaming cups of Nordic glogg while perusing the colorful ornaments and winter accessories on display. Reindeer rustle quietly in their pens while awed children shove handfuls of hay between the slats. A dusting of […]
Staro Riga: A Fantastic Festival of Lights
For the past five years, the Latvian capital has been home to “Staro Riga,” a festival of lights akin to those held in European cities like Berlin, Ghent and Lyon. This year, the festival coincided with the city’s reign as the European Capital of Culture, and from what I’ve gathered, Riga pulled out all the […]
Happy Birthday Riga: Celebrating at the Riga City Festival
Founded in 1201 by Albert von Buxthoeven, the German crusader who brought the Christian faith to the Baltics, this resilient capital has managed to maintain its unique Latvian culture while adapting to outside influences. This is evident by the remarkable mix of architectural styles, cuisines and languages found on its streets. As an American, I […]