Riga Christmas Market

The Riga Christmas Market (Latvian: Rīgas Ziemassvētku tirdziņš), is a Christmas market held every year in Riga, Latvia. Taking place from late November to early January in Dome Square beside the Riga Cathedral, it has become an annual tradition of the city.[1] It begins during the Advent season and extends through New Year's celebrations.[2]

History

Riga's history of Christmas celebrationsgoes back to the Middle Ages, beginning with a decorated Christmas tree as long ago as 1510, when members of the local merchants' guild Brotherhood of Blackheads adorned a tree with artificial roses, danced around it in the marketplace, and then set it ablaze, following a practice begun in Tallinn.[3] The modern Christmas market tradition in Riga was revitalized in 2000.[4] Since then the Riga Christmas Market has been recognised as one of the most authentic Christmas destinations in Europe[5] and as one of Europe's most affordable Christmas markets.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Riga Christmas Market". www.liveriga.com. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  2. ↑ "A winter guide to Riga, Latvia's petite, snow-dusted capital". Travel. 2025-06-02. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  3. ↑ Welscher, Alexander (2020-12-25). "Was the first ever Christmas tree put up in the Baltics?". lrt.lt. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  4. ↑ "Christmas Market in Rīga's Old Town opens this week". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  5. ↑ "Most Authentic Christmas Markets in Europe 2024". Europe's Best Destinations. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  6. ↑ Lancefield, Neil. "Riga ranked top spot for a bargain Christmas market trip". The Independent.
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