Your Winter Guide to Riga: Christmas Markets, Lights, and More

Riga may be a summer hotspot, drawing tourists to its beautiful balance of lush greenery, outdoor terraces, and nearby beaches in July, August, and September.

But after spending 5 months in the city, I’ve seen how it transforms into an enchanting winter wonderland as the temperature has droped. You might be wondering: What is there to do in Riga in winter?

Well, let me tell you!

Riflemen statue in Riga at dusk — Sunset at the Daugava river and Latvian Riflemen Monument.

Riga in winter dazzles with magical lights, steaming cups of mulled wine served at little outdoor stalls that seem to pop up out of nowhere in front of every cafe and restaurant, and a festive atmosphere that’s hard to resist (just read about my experiences at the Christmas Market and you’ll see I was affected for sure!).

I’m glad to see Riga get European-wide recognition like getting selected as Best Christmas Lights in Europe or having the Christmas Market featured in the Top 5 of Christmas Market in Europe. I hope this will get more people to come and experience the magic. (But not too many, I feel like the Christmas Market is crowded enough on weekend evenings as it is…)

Though it’s quieter than in summer, winter events like Latvian Independence Day celebrations on November 18th and Staro Riga festival (on the weekend before the Independence Day) bring both locals and tourists out to celebrate. Even if you miss those, there’s still plenty to enjoy – and a lot that doesn’t depend on the time of the year.

Here are my favorite things to do during Riga’s cold and dark months.

Table of Contents

1. Visit the Christmas Market

The Christmas Market next to the Dome Cathedral runs from late November until early January. The market might not be as big as many others in Europe, but in 2024 it was featured as number 4 on top 5 of Christmas Market in Europe by European Best Destinations.

You can find countless of variations of mulled wine, hot and cold drinks with Riga Black Balsam and different local treats at the stalls huddled around a big Christmas tree.

Looking for tips? I wrote a detailed guide to the Christmas Market.

Address: Dome Square (Doma laukums), Centra rajons, Riga

Christmas Market gate in Riga 2024 — Christmas Market next to the Dome Cathedral.

2. Explore the Garden of Lights in Mežaparks

If you are looking for a certainly magical visit for adults and children, you need to visit Garden of Lights in Riga’s Mežaparks. This year’s theme, Alice in Wonderland, runs from October 18, 2024, to March 2, 2025.

Gates to Alice in Wonderland light exhibition in Riga Mezaparks. — The entrance to the Garden of Lights in 2024.

There’s so much to see, so it’s worth reserving at least an hour to walk through the installations. You also need to put aside a couple of hours to get there and back: the public transport takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and the installations are about 1 km away from the bus/tram stop (Mežaparks/Zoo). You can get there by taking the bus numbers 9, 11 or 48, or the tram number 11 (fastest).

Flamingos at the Garden of Lights in Riga Mezaparks. — These flamingos were my favourites at the Garden of Lights.

Tickets are 9 € during the week, and 13 € during the weekend and holidays. You can get tickets online or at the gate. The Garden of Lights is only open after dark, with opening hours shifting earlier as the days grow shorter—around 18.00 in November and 16.00 in December. A silver lining to those dark winter evenings, I guess.

Also, remember to dress warmly!

Address: Mežaparks, Ostas prospekts 11, Ziemeļu rajons, Rīga

3. Enjoy Riga’s Light Trails

Take a stroll around the City Canal that surrounds the Old Town and soak in all the Christmas lights. This is by far not the only place to enjoy them, but I particularly like it here, because even the street lights create a warm, romantic ambiance.

The decorations extend across the entire city, especially in the Old Town, where businesses and restaurants add their own colorful lights. Wherever you go, Riga’s winter lights will make you feel festive.

Address: Best place to start is the Freedom Monument (Latvian: Brīvības piemineklis), at Raiņa bulvāris, Rīga

By the way, one of my favourite hostels in Riga is right around the corner from the Freedom Monument!

4. Go Ice skating

I’ve come to learn that Latvians are not only a basketball country, but they love their ice hockey too. (Apparently the whole country got a surprise national holiday when the ice hockey team came 3rd in the World Championships in 2023, beating USA – if you know anything about ice hockey, you know it’s a huge deal! ~~And best not to mention that Finland came 7th~~.) So you possibly can’t visit Latvia without strapping on a pair of skates, and this you can do at Esplanade by the Riga Nativity of Christ Orthodox Cathedral!

The skating rink actually opened on the day of writing this blog post! It’s open until March 1st, run by the city of Riga and is free to use. If you didn’t happen to bring your own skates on the plane, you can rent some onsite.

Address: Brīvības bulvāris 23, Centra rajons, Rīga (just a short trek from the Freedom Monument mentioned above)

The interior of St. Peter’s Church in Riga during a concert, with an audience seated in wooden chairs. The high brick walls, vaulted ceiling, and gothic-style architecture are illuminated by natural light. Ornate crests and historical decorations adorn the church's interior. — If you have a chance, there’s many donation-based concerts at St. Peter’s church!

5. Indulge in Concerts and Culture

Riga offers an impressive selection of cultural events during the winter, especially before Christmas. You can explore the city’s concert listings at kultura.riga.lv for up-to-date options. There are also some suggestions in the VisitRiga Facebook group and this Facebook page.

One highlight is St. Peter’s Church, which regularly hosts free or affordable concerts for fundraising. Their Facebook page seems to have more up-to-date information than their official website. You can also find a list of performances at the entrance of the church.

Town Musicians of Bremen statue at night. — Town Musicians of Bremen statue behind the St. Peter’s Church.

6. BONUS: Sledging by the Freedom Monument

When the city received some snow in early January, I stumbled across so many happy faces: families had come out to sled down the Bastion Hill next to the Freedom Monument!

It’s not a long ride, but I could tell from the professional-looking sleds that everybody was prepared and eagerly waiting for snow!

A snowy park in Riga, Latvia, with people sledding down a hill surrounded by tall, leafless trees. Several individuals are scattered across the hill, some with sleds, while others stand or walk along the snowy paths. The late afternoon light casts a warm glow on the treetops, contrasting with the bright white snow. — Remember to bring your own sled!

Final Thoughts About Riga in Wintertime

Riga in winter offers a magical blend of festive charm, outdoor fun, and cultural experiences. Whether you’re sipping mulled wine at the Christmas Market, marveling at the lights in Mežaparks, or gliding across the Esplanade skating rink, Riga is a winter destination you won’t forget.