What is the best time to visit Latvia?

Best Time to Visit Latvia

The best time to travel to Latvia is during spring (April to May) and summer (June to August).

Spring in Latvia

Spring in Latvia is a beautiful time of year, with the snow melting and the flowers blooming. The temperature rises to a pleasant level, making it a great time to explore the outdoors. During this season, the days become longer and the sun shines brighter. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking, cycling, and camping. Nature lovers will be delighted by the vibrant colors of the wildflowers, and birdwatchers can spot many species of migrating birds. Popular festivals that take place in spring include the Easter celebration and the International Folklore Festival.

Summer in Latvia

Summer in Latvia is the perfect time to explore the country’s stunning landscapes. The days are warm and sunny, and the temperature rarely rises above 25°C. The countryside is lush and green, and the beaches are ideal for swimming and sunbathing. There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Nature lovers will be delighted by the vibrant colors of the wildflowers, and birdwatchers can spot many species of migrating birds. Popular festivals that take place in summer include the Summer Solstice Festival and the Latvian Song and Dance Festival.

Month-by-month guide for traveling in Latvia

Latvia in January

Weather

January is the coldest month of the year in Latvia, with temperatures typically ranging from -5°C to -2°C. The days are short and the skies are often overcast. Snow is common, with an average of 10-15 days of snowfall throughout the month.

Events

• The New Year’s Eve celebration is a popular event in Latvia, with people gathering in the main squares of cities and towns to celebrate the beginning of the new year. Fireworks are a common sight at midnight.
• The Latvian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7th. This is a major holiday in Latvia, with many people attending church services and spending time with their families.
• The Latvian National Opera and Ballet Theatre hosts several performances throughout the month, including classical music concerts, opera performances, and ballet shows.
• The Latvian Winter Festival is held in Riga in mid-January. This festival includes a variety of activities, such as ice skating, sledding, and snowman building competitions.
• The Latvian National Song and Dance Festival is held in late January. This event brings together thousands of singers and dancers from all over the country to perform traditional Latvian songs and dances.

Latvia in January

Weather

January in Latvia is a cold month, with temperatures ranging from -4°C to 2°C. Snow is common, and the days are short, with only 8 hours of daylight.

Events

• January 1 is New Year’s Day, which is celebrated with fireworks and festive meals.
• January 13 is Laima Day, a Latvian holiday that celebrates the goddess of fate, Laima.
• January 19 is the Day of the Barricades, a national holiday that commemorates the day in 1991 when Latvians stood up against Soviet rule.
• January 20 is the Latvian National Day, a day of celebration for the Latvian nation.
• January 24 is the Day of the Restoration of Independence, a day to commemorate the day Latvia declared its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Latvia in March

Weather

March in Latvia is a transitional month, with temperatures gradually increasing from the cold winter to the warmer spring. The average temperature in March is 2-4°C, with occasional snowfall and rain.

Events

• The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is held in March, with a variety of traditional Latvian music and dancing.
• The International Riga Marathon is held in March, with thousands of runners competing in the race.
• The Latvian National Opera hosts an annual opera festival in March, with performances of classic operas and modern works.
• The International Film Festival is held in March, with screenings of films from around the world.
• The Latvian National Ballet performs its annual spring ballet in March, with a variety of classical and contemporary works.

Latvia in April

Weather

April is the beginning of spring in Latvia, and the temperatures begin to rise. The average temperature during the month is around 10°C (50°F). Rainfall is common during this time of year, with April typically receiving around 70mm of rain.

Events

• Easter is celebrated in April. Many Latvians observe the holiday by attending religious services, decorating Easter eggs, and eating traditional foods.
• The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is held in April. It is a celebration of Latvian culture and music, featuring traditional Latvian songs and dances.
• The Latvian National Opera Festival is held in April. It is a celebration of Latvian opera, featuring performances by Latvian opera singers and musicians.
• The Latvian National Film Festival is held in April. It is a celebration of Latvian films, featuring screenings of new and classic Latvian films.
• The Latvian National Art Festival is held in April. It is a celebration of Latvian art, featuring exhibitions of Latvian artworks and performances by Latvian artists.

Latvia in May

Weather

In May, Latvia experiences pleasant weather with temperatures ranging from 10-20 degrees Celsius. The days are longer and the sun is more present, making it the perfect time to explore the outdoors.

Events

• The International Poetry Festival takes place in Riga in May, bringing together poets from around the world.
• The Latvian National Song and Dance Festival is held in Riga in May, showcasing the country’s traditional music and dance.
• The International Film Festival is held in Riga in May, featuring films from around the world.
• The International Music Festival is held in Riga in May, featuring performances by musicians from around the world.
• The International Music Festival is held in Liepaja in May, featuring performances by musicians from around the world.

Latvia in June

Weather

June in Latvia is typically mild and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 12-20°C (54-68°F). The days are long, with an average of 17 hours of daylight. Rainfall is usually minimal, averaging around 60 mm (2.4 in).

Events

• The Summer Solstice Festival is held on June 21st in Riga, Latvia’s capital city. This event celebrates the longest day of the year with traditional Latvian music, dancing, and food.
• The International Festival of Arts “Riga 2014” is held in June and July. This event features concerts, theater performances, and art exhibitions from around the world.
• The annual Baltic Beach Party is held in Jurmala, Latvia’s largest beach resort. This event features live music, DJs, and beach activities.
• The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is held in June. This event celebrates Latvian culture with traditional music, dance, and song.
• The European Music Festival is held in Riga. This event features performances from some of the best European musicians.

Latvia in July

Weather

July in Latvia is usually quite warm, with temperatures ranging from the mid-teens to the mid-twenties Celsius. The days are long, with the sun setting around 10pm and rising around 4am. Rainfall is usually moderate, with an average of 80-90mm of rain throughout the month.

Events

• The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is held in July, usually over the course of three days. This festival celebrates Latvian folk music and dance, with thousands of performers taking part.
• The city of Riga hosts the International Festival of Young Performers every July. This festival features performances from young musicians, dancers and actors from around the world.
• The Latvian Open Air Museum in Riga hosts a number of events throughout July, including traditional music and dance performances, craft workshops and open-air markets.
• The Latvian National Opera hosts the Riga Opera Festival every July, featuring performances from some of the world’s best opera singers.
• The city of Sigulda hosts the annual Latvian Grand Prix, a motorsport event featuring some of the world’s best drivers.

Latvia in August

Weather

August in Latvia is usually warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 13 to 20 degrees Celsius. The average rainfall is 70mm during the month, with an average of 15 days of rain.

Events

• The Latvian National Song and Dance Festival takes place in Riga, the capital of Latvia, from July 31st to August 8th. It is the largest cultural event in the country, and features performances of traditional Latvian music and dances.
• The Latvian Open Air Museum in Riga hosts the annual Summer Solstice Festival on August 23rd. The festival celebrates the summer solstice with traditional Latvian folk music, dance, and food.
• The Latvian National Opera hosts the annual Summer Opera Festival from August 1st to August 15th. The festival features performances of some of the most popular operas from the Latvian repertoire.
• The Latvian International Film Festival takes place in Riga from August 20th to August 30th. The festival showcases the best of Latvian and international cinema.
• The Latvian National Library hosts the annual Latvian Literature Festival from August 1st to August 15th. The festival features readings, discussions, and performances of Latvian literature.

Latvia in September

Weather

September is the beginning of autumn in Latvia, with temperatures ranging from 8-15°C (46-59°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 17 days of rain during the month.

Events

• The Latvian National Song and Dance Festival is held every five years in July and August, with the next one taking place in 2021.
• The Riga International Film Festival is held in September each year, showcasing the best of Latvian and international films.
• The Latvian Open Air Museum celebrates its annual Harvest Festival in September, with traditional folk music, dancing, and food.
• The Latvian National Opera and Ballet Festival is held in September and features performances from some of the best opera and ballet companies in the world.
• The Latvian National Library hosts its annual Book Fair in September, with authors, publishers, and booksellers from around the world.

Latvia in October

Weather

October in Latvia is typically a cool and wet month, with average temperatures ranging from 5-10°C. Rainfall is common, with an average of 11 days of rain throughout the month.

Events

• October 18th is the Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia, a national holiday celebrating the country’s independence.
• October 31st is Halloween, celebrated in Latvia with costume parties, pumpkin carving, and other activities.
• October 5th is the Day of the Fight for Freedom and Democracy, a national holiday commemorating the events of the Latvian Singing Revolution.
• October 24th is the United Nations Day, celebrated in Latvia with various events and activities.
• October is the month of the Latvian Food Festival, a celebration of the country’s traditional cuisine.

Latvia in November

Weather

November in Latvia is generally cold and wet. Temperatures range from an average low of -3°C (27°F) to an average high of 5°C (41°F). Rainfall is common, with an average of 73mm (2.9in) of precipitation throughout the month.

Events

• All Saints’ Day (November 1): All Saints’ Day is a religious holiday that honors the saints of the Catholic Church. It is celebrated with solemn processions and special church services.
• Ligo (November 23): Ligo is a Latvian midsummer festival that celebrates the summer solstice. It is marked by bonfires, singing, and dancing.
• Latvian National Opera Festival (November): The Latvian National Opera Festival is held every November and features performances of classical and contemporary operas.
• International Film Festival (November): The International Film Festival is held every November in Riga and showcases the best of Latvian and international cinema.
• Christmas Market (November-December): The Christmas Market in Riga is a popular event that takes place every year in November and December. The market features a variety of food, drinks, and handmade gifts.

Latvia in December

Weather

December in Latvia is generally cold and wet, with temperatures ranging from -2 to -7 degrees Celsius. Snow is common throughout the month, and the days are short, with an average of 6 hours of daylight.

Events

• The Christmas markets in Riga are a popular event in December. The markets offer a variety of traditional Latvian food, drinks, and crafts, and are a great place to find unique gifts.
• The Latvian National Opera puts on a variety of performances throughout December. These performances range from traditional operas to modern ballet and musicals.
• The annual Latvian Christmas Festival is held in December. The festival includes traditional Latvian folk music, dancing, and food.
• The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra performs a variety of seasonal concerts in December. The concerts feature a mix of classical and contemporary music.
• The Latvian National Ballet performs the classic ballet “The Nutcracker” in December. This is a great event for families to enjoy.