Riga events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Freedom Monument, Kalnciema Quarter, plus Rīga Central Market. December in Riga averages 1°C / 34°F highs, -3°C / 26°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Expect 1°C/34°F days and about 11 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Freedom Monument★ 4.7 · 12.0k reviewsKarlis Zale completed the 42-metre Freedom Monument in 1935 as a symbol of Latvian independence.
- Kalnciema Quarter★ 4.5 · 4.3k reviewsKalnciema Quarter preserves wooden architecture on the left bank and hosts markets, concerts, and design events.
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Riga in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
34°F / 26°F
1.2°C / -3.1°C
RainPrecipitation
11d
2in · 50mm
LightDaylight
6.5h
Sea
41.4°F
5.2°C
December is cold and festive, with Christmas markets around Old Town squares and icy winds near the Daugava.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 31
Riga Christmas Market
The annual Christmas Market held in the Old Town of Riga, featuring festive stalls, crafts, food, and entertainment throughout December.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 10 – Dec 24
St. Peter's Church Christmas Concerts
A series of classical and choral Christmas concerts held in the historic St.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 15 – Dec 18
Riga International Christmas Jazz Festival
An international jazz festival featuring local and international jazz musicians performing in various venues around Riga.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Show all 4 events for December
- Dec 20 – Dec 26
Latvian National Opera: Christmas Gala
Special Christmas gala performances featuring opera and ballet at the Latvian National Opera House.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 24Christmas EvePublic holiday
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 31New Year's EvePublic holiday
- Dec 24-Dec 27Long weekend
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
- Dec 31-Jan 3Long weekend with bridge day
About Riga
City overview
Rīga is a Daugava River capital where UNESCO-listed Vecriga, Centrs boulevards, and one of Europe densest Art Nouveau districts sit between the river bridges and the city canal. Travelers usually read the city through the Old Town around Town Hall Square, Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela in Centrs, and the left-bank wooden-house districts around Agenskalns and Kalnciema.
Food & drink
Rīga food is hearty and Baltic, with grey peas and bacon, rye bread, piragi, smoked sprats, cold beet soup, sklandrausis carrot-potato tart, and black balsam in bar cocktails. Rīga Central Market, Lido cafeterias, Āgenskalns Market, and Old Town restaurants cover the range from cheap dairy-and-fish halls to polished modern Latvian menus.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Rīga Central Market
- 2Latvian National Museum of Art
- 3Latvian National Opera
- 4House of the Blackheads
- 5Rīga Cathedral
- 6St Peter Church
- 7Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
- 8Alberta iela Art Nouveau district
1Rīga Central Market
4.4★ · 54,284outdoorOpen dailyThe market opened in 1930 inside and around five former Zeppelin hangars near the railway and bus stations. Fish, dairy, pickles, bread, flowers, and seasonal berries make it the most useful food stop in the city.
Wikipedia
2Latvian National Museum of Art
4.7★ · 5,668indoorClosed MonThe museum occupies a 1905 building by Wilhelm Neumann and reopened after a major restoration in 2016. Its collection is the clearest way to connect Rīga art, national identity, and the Centrs boulevards.
Wikipedia
3Latvian National Opera
4.7★ · 7,585indoorThe white opera house opened in 1863 as the German Theatre and now anchors the canal edge near the Old Town. It pairs well with the Freedom Monument and Bastejkalns park walks.
Wikipedia
Show 3 more sights
- 4House of the Blackheads
- 5Rīga Cathedral
- 6St Peter Church
Neighborhoods
1Vecriga
The UNESCO Old Town is compact and theatrical, with Town Hall Square, Rīga Cathedral, St Peter Church, Livu Square, city-wall remnants, bars, and hotel lanes packed together.
2Centrs and Art Nouveau district
Centrs feels grander and more residential, with Alberta iela, Elizabetes iela, the National Museum of Art, Esplanade, and embassies north of the canal.
3Moscow District and Spikeri
The southeast edge around Central Market and Spikeri has warehouses, market halls, railway infrastructure, Jewish heritage sites, and a rougher post-industrial texture.
Day trips
25km / 30min by train from Rīga Central Station to Majori
Jurmala
The resort strip adds wooden villas, pine-backed beaches, and the long Jomas iela promenade. It is the easiest warm-weather escape from the city.
53km / about 1h 15min by train or bus from Rīga
Sigulda
Gauja National Park, castle ruins, cable-car views, and autumn leaves make Sigulda the standard nature-and-castles day from Rīga.
90km / about 1h 50min by train from Rīga Central Station
Cesis
Cesis has a medieval castle complex, cobbled streets, parks, and a quieter old-town scale than Rīga. It works best as a full day rather than an evening add-on.
Getting around
Rigas Satiksme runs trams, trolleybuses, buses, and airport bus 22 under one ticket system, with e-talons or mobile tickets replacing cash on board. Vecriga is walkable, while tram lines are more useful for Centrs, Mezaparks, and left-bank market trips.
Planning a Riga trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Riga in December
- What to pack for Riga in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Riga checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 1°C / 34°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average -3°C / 26°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 11 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Riga
- 4 days covers the main Riga highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
- Is Riga worth visiting in December
- Yes. December in Riga averages 1°C / 34°F highs, -3°C / 26°F nights, and about 11 rainy days.
Ready to plan Riga?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Riga plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.