The Riga Christmas Market sets up on Dome Square (Doma laukums), beside Riga Cathedral in the Old Town, from late November until early January. The 2026 dates haven’t been announced yet. In 2025 it ran from 28 November to 4 January, and the city usually follows a similar pattern, with the official opening on the first Sunday of Advent. It’s a compact market with about 80 traders, so you can see it all in an evening and spend the rest of your trip in the Old Town. Below you’ll find the expected dates, hours, food, how to get there and where to leave your bags.
Arriving by train, bus or plane? Drop your bags near Dome Square and walk around the market with your hands free.
Riga Christmas Market 2026: Key Facts
| Dates | Expected late November 2026 to early January 2027 (2025 edition: 28 November to 4 January) |
| Hours (2025) | Mon–Thu 11:00–21:00, Fri–Sat 10:00–22:00 (hot drinks until 23:00), Sun 10:00–21:00 |
| Holiday hours (2025) | 24–25 December 10:00–20:00, 26 December 10:00–22:00 |
| Location | Dome Square (Doma laukums), next to Riga Cathedral |
| Size | More than 80 traders (2025) |
| Entry | Free |
The 2026 schedule should be out in November. Check Riga City Council’s event page for the confirmed dates and the weekend programme.
Dome Square and the Old Town
Dome Square is the largest square in Old Riga, with the brick bulk of the cathedral on one side and Art Nouveau and older merchant buildings around it. The wooden stalls cluster around a big Christmas tree in the middle. The market has run every winter since 2000, and the 2025 edition was its 25th.
Riga says the first decorated Christmas tree on record went up in the city in 1510, when members of the Brotherhood of Blackheads decorated a tree, danced around it and then burned it. A plaque on Town Hall Square, a five-minute walk from the market, marks the story. Tallinn claims an earlier tree, so expect a friendly argument if you visit both cities.
What to See and Do
In 2025 children could meet Santa and his elves, ride a carousel, take a pony ride, visit the sheep and join craft workshops. Weekends brought folklore groups and live music, and Friday evenings had DJs. The 2026 programme hasn’t been published, but the market keeps a similar format from year to year.
For gifts, look for Latvian mittens with traditional patterns, linen, beeswax candles, amber, honey and Riga Black Balsam, the city’s herbal liqueur. In past years the Kalnciema Quarter and Āgenskalns Market, both across the river, have also held Christmas stalls at weekends.
Food and Drink at the Riga Christmas Market
- Karstvīns: mulled wine, often served alongside hot Black Balsam blackcurrant cocktails.
- Pīrāgi: small baked buns filled with bacon and onion, a Latvian Christmas staple.
- Grey peas with bacon (pelēkie zirņi), a traditional winter dish.
- Smoked meats and sausages from the grill, plus roast potatoes and sauerkraut.
- Piparkūkas: spiced gingerbread biscuits, and roasted almonds for the walk home.
Latvia uses the euro, and cards are widely accepted. To plan your spending, read our guide on what things cost in Riga.
Getting to the Riga Christmas Market
| From | How |
|---|---|
| Riga Airport | City bus or taxi to the centre, about 20–30 minutes |
| Riga Central Station and bus station | About 10–15 minutes on foot to Dome Square |
| Ferry terminal | About 15 minutes on foot along the river |
| By car | Old Riga is mostly pedestrian; park outside and walk in |
Long-distance buses connect Riga with Tallinn and Vilnius in about four to four and a half hours, so the three Baltic capitals make an easy December loop.
Tips for Visiting
- Visit on a weekday for the calmest atmosphere, or on Friday evening for the DJ sets.
- Hot drinks usually come in paper cups rather than deposit mugs, so there’s nothing to return.
- Dress for sub-zero temperatures and wear boots with grip on the cobbles.
- The market stays open over Christmas and into early January, which suits a New Year trip.
- Save time for the Art Nouveau buildings on Alberta iela, a 15-minute walk from the square.
Luggage Storage Near the Riga Christmas Market
If you land in the morning, stop in Riga between Tallinn and Vilnius, or check out before an evening flight, your bags have to go somewhere. The Old Town’s cobbles and narrow lanes are not made for suitcases.
Radical Storage works with verified local shops, cafés and hotels in Riga, including spots by the cathedral, St Peter’s Church and the railway station. Book online in a minute, drop your bags and pick them up later. Every bag is protected up to €10,000, cancellation is free, and travellers rate the service 4.8/5 across more than 16.5K locations in 2.3K+ cities.
- Luggage storage near Dome Square, right by the stalls.
- Luggage storage near St Peter’s Church in the Old Town.
- Luggage storage near Riga Central Station for train and bus arrivals.
Riga Christmas Market 2026 FAQ
The 2026 dates haven’t been announced yet. The market usually opens in late November and runs into early January. In 2025 it ran from 28 November to 4 January.
On Dome Square (Doma laukums) in Old Riga, next to Riga Cathedral.
In 2025 the market opened Monday to Thursday 11:00 to 21:00, Friday and Saturday 10:00 to 22:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 21:00. On 24 and 25 December it was open 10:00 to 20:00.
In 2025 it was, from 10:00 to 20:00 on both 24 and 25 December. Expect similar hours in 2026.
Riga says the first recorded decorated tree went up in the city in 1510, and a plaque on Town Hall Square marks the spot. Tallinn makes a rival claim for 1441.
Radical Storage has partner locations near Dome Square, St Peter’s Church and Riga Central Station. Book online, drop your bags at a verified local business and collect them later, with protection up to €10,000 per bag.