Riga Christmas market 2026: Dome Square opens on 27 November

Riga’s Christmas season starts in the last week of November this year. So far two big markets have been confirmed, in the Old Town and on Ķīpsala. Riga City Council’s website still shows last season’s information, so this guide covers only what the organisers have confirmed for 2026. We will update it when the opening programme and the dates of other markets are known.

Dome Square: 27 November to 3 January

The Old Town Christmas market on Dome Square (Doma laukums) will run from 27 November to 3 January this season, the organising company, SIA Vecrīgas Ziemassvētku Tirdziņš, said. It will have goods from Latvian home producers and craftspeople, a cultural programme and entertainment for children, and entry is free. Stallholder registration has closed; the time of the opening event has not been announced.

Opening hours published on the organiser’s and LiveRiga’s websites, without a season stated, are 11:00–21:00 Monday to Thursday, 10:00–22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and 10:00–21:00 on Sundays, with the market open until 02:00 on New Year’s Eve. They may still change for the new season, so check the organiser’s website before visiting on public holidays.

Ķīpsala: 11 to 13 December

The Baltic Expo Christmas fair at the International Exhibition Centre on Ķīpsala (Ķīpsalas iela 8, Hall 2) opens on Friday 11 December from 12:00 to 20:00, Saturday 12 December from 09:00 to 20:00 and Sunday 13 December from 09:00 to 19:00. The organisers promise more than 400 traders from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, a Baltic food area and free craft workshops for children; entry is free. Visitors are asked not to bring pets.

Christmas trees and Advent

The first Sunday of Advent falls on 29 November this year. The date for lighting the main Christmas tree has not been announced. According to city procurement documents, the tree on Dome Square is due to be put up on 19 November and the one on Town Hall Square on 23 November, though the dates may change. Last year Riga’s main tree on Town Hall Square was lit on 29 November.

Esplanāde, Līvu Square and Vērmanes Garden

There is no official information yet about Christmas markets on the Esplanāde, Līvu Square or in Vērmanes Garden in 2026. Last year the city planned to keep the public ice rink on the Esplanāde open for the 2026/27 season as well, but no opening date has been announced.

Getting there

Dome Square is in the Old Town’s pedestrian zone, so it is easiest to take public transport to the edge of the Old Town and walk the rest of the way. Ķīpsala is on the left bank of the Daugava, across the Vanšu Bridge from the Old Town.