Public holiday in Latvia
Christmas Day in Latvia
Friday, December 25, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Christmas Day is a nationwide public holiday in Latvia on 25 December. It marks the Christmas season after the longer lead-in holiday on 24 December, and many people spend the day quietly with family.
About Christmas Day in Latvia
In Latvia, Christmas Day is the central public holiday of the Christmas period and is observed nationwide. It follows Christmas Eve, which is the more prominent family and ritual day in many Latvian homes, so 25 December is often a calmer day for visiting relatives, resting and continuing seasonal gatherings. The holiday sits within the broader winter break and is one of the main dates on the Latvian calendar at the end of the year.
History
Christmas Day became a public holiday in modern Latvia after independence was restored. During the Soviet period, Christmas was not publicly celebrated in the same way, but private observance continued in some families. After 1990, Christmas returned to the official holiday calendar.
Traditions
Latvian Christmas observances usually center on church services for those who attend, family meals, gift-giving and time at home. Traditional seasonal food in Latvia often includes dishes such as grey peas with bacon, piparkūkas (spiced gingerbread) and other winter foods served over the Christmas period.
How Christmas Day is celebrated in Latvia
On Christmas Day many businesses and public institutions are closed, and the day is generally low-key compared with Christmas Eve. People typically visit family, share food left over from the previous evening and spend the holiday in a quiet domestic setting.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 Dec 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.