Every winter the heart of Old Riga turns into a Christmas market. Wooden stalls fill Dome Square (Doma laukums) in front of Riga Cathedral, the smell of mulled wine and gingerbread drifts through the narrow streets, and in the evening the whole square is lit. Riga also claims the first decorated Christmas tree: the Brotherhood of Blackheads is recorded decorating a tree in the town square in 1510.
Dates and opening hours 2026
The Old Town Christmas market on Dome Square opens on 27 November 2026 and runs until 3 January 2027. Entry is free.
- Monday to Thursday: 11:00-21:00
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00-22:00
- Sunday: 10:00-21:00
- 24 and 31 December have their own hours, so check before you go.
The square is most beautiful after dark, from around 16:30 in December. Weekday evenings are the calmest; Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the busiest.
What to eat, drink and buy
- Karstvīns, Latvian mulled wine, and hot drinks made with Riga Black Balsam.
- Piparkūkas, thin spiced gingerbread biscuits, and roasted almonds.
- Grey peas with bacon, sauerkraut and sausages: Latvian Christmas food.
- Knitted woollen mittens and socks, beeswax candles, wooden toys, ceramics and amber.
Most stalls take cards, but a little cash is useful for the smaller ones.
Other Christmas markets in Riga
Dome Square is the main market. Smaller Christmas fairs often appear in the parks around the Old Town, such as Vērmanes dārzs and Esplanāde, with more handmade Latvian crafts. They change from year to year, so check the city programme on Live Riga before you go.
Getting there from Riga Airport
Riga Airport (RIX) is about 10 km from the Old Town, around 20 minutes by car. An AFA Transfer car meets you in the arrivals hall with a name sign, and the fixed price is €40 for the whole car, not per person. The driver follows your flight and waits up to 60 minutes after landing at no extra cost.
Cars cannot drive onto Dome Square itself, so we drop you at your hotel or as close to the square as the Old Town streets allow.
An evening of Christmas lights with a driver
For a family or a group, a car by the hour is an easy way to see the lights of Riga in the cold: the Old Town, the Freedom Monument, Esplanāde and Āgenskalns, with the driver waiting while you walk through a market. Chauffeur service starts from €45 per hour, for at least two hours.
Christmas markets in Tallinn and Vilnius
Tallinn and Vilnius have famous Christmas markets of their own, about four hours from Riga by car. See our guides to the Tallinn Christmas market from Riga and the Vilnius Christmas market from Riga.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Riga Christmas market in 2026?
On Dome Square in Old Riga from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
Is the Riga Christmas market free?
Yes. Entry to the market is free; you only pay for what you eat, drink and buy.
How do I get from Riga Airport to the Christmas market?
By car it is about 20 minutes to the Old Town. With AFA Transfer the fixed price is €40 for the whole car, with meet and greet in the arrivals hall.
When is the best time to visit?
On a weekday evening, after dark, when the lights are on and the crowds are smaller.
Dates and opening hours checked in November 2026 against Live Riga, the official Riga tourism website. They can change, so check before you travel.