The traditions of the celebration of the Catholic Christmas revived in Riga almost immediately after Latvia left the Soviet Union . And it's no wonder: Christmas Riga is fabulously beautiful . Long before the holiday, Christmas bazaars are starting to be set up in the squares of the city, fluffy Christmas trees . The decoration of the city includes generous illumination in all the streets, squares and boulevards, and a special illumination of bridges and bridges, and special decoration of show-windows, each of which for the holiday turns into a masterpiece decorator and the embodiment of creativity . All this creates a special mood, which is called Christmas .

Christmas markets

Christmas bazaars offer buyers in large quantities those cute useless things that evoke memories of childhood: all kinds of Christmas decorations, traditional Christmas sweets, handicrafts, souvenirs . The most interesting Christmas The fair takes place at the Dome Square in the very center of Old Riga . The old good tradition of holding all sorts of cultural events during the Christmas days . It's festivals, exhibitions, concerts and celebrities . So far, Riga is proud of the simultaneous game played in 1913 by the world chess champion Raul Jose Capablanca .

Celebratory Divine Services

It is impossible not to mention that in all the churches of the city pass solemn celebratory divine service tions. They are a fascinatingly beautiful action, very attractive for tourists. But in no case should we forget that this event is not primarily festive, but religious, so behave in the cathedrals in such a way that does not hurt the feelings of believers.

Specificity of Riga is that there are a lot of Russians here. Therefore, Christmas holidays in the city usually last much longer than in the rest of Europe: until about 10 January. Accordingly, the Orthodox cathedrals are also happy to see their parishioners on services on January 6 and 7.

Christmas in Riga

Of course, all the delights of the Christmas meeting in Riga mean absolutely different prices: for hotels in the first place. It should be borne in mind that to spend the weekend or week in the period from the end of December to the middle of January will cost more than 20 percent of interest than in the rest of the winter months. In addition, it should be borne in mind that it is worthwhile to book hotels in advance, since those wishing to meet the warm marvelous Christmas holiday in one of the most beautiful capitals of Europe are enough.