New Year's Eve (Vecgada vakars) in Latvia
December 31 is a public holiday in Latvia, building to midnight fireworks across the country. In Riga the biggest display lights up the sky over the Daugava and the Old Town embankment.
Photo: Egor Zhuravlyov · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
- Dates
- December 31, 2026
- Where
- Nationwide
- Price
- Free
- Official link
- www.mfa.gov.lv ↗
What to expect
- Public holiday capping the festive season
- Midnight fireworks over the Daugava and 11 November Embankment in Riga
- Bars, clubs and restaurants run special New Year programmes
Planning tips
- The riverfront 11 November Embankment is the prime spot for Riga's fireworks
- Book restaurant and club tickets early — New Year's Eve sells out
- Dress warm; midnight temperatures in Riga are often well below freezing
Build a day around it
Riga event days feel best when you keep the schedule light: one event block, one food anchor, and one walking loop — with buffer so nothing feels rushed.
- If you have 2–3 hours: arrive early → event → short Old Town/canal walk.
- If you're making a full day: one architecture/market block + event + an easy evening plan.
- If the weather turns: keep walking minimal and use cafes/museums as your buffer.
Before you go
- Confirm the details: check the official link for last-minute schedule or venue updates.
- Arrive with buffer: 15–30 minutes early usually makes the whole experience calmer.
- Have a weather plan: keep one indoor “warm stop” in mind in case the day turns.