Double Christmas

Riga is known for its Double Christmas celebration. The Lutheran and Catholic Latvian population celebrate Christmas on December 24 and the Russian Orthodox community that still follows the Julian calendar celebrates Christmas on January 7. And some people like Christmas so much that they celebrate twice.

Every year there are cosy Christmas markets in the Old City of Riga in the weeks before Christmas. Hot wine, gingerbread figures (Latvian: piparkūkas), knitted gloves and much high quality hand-made arts and handicrafts are sold. Large, international shopping malls help make the Christmas Tree City of Riga into a very attractive Christmas destination where Christmas gifts can be bought at very friendly prices.

„Riga is the best place to buy Christmas presents, if you don’t get them from me.”
Santa Claus of the North