National Day in Latvia

About National Day in Latvia

In Latvia, National Day is the central date of the autumn holiday season and a nationwide public holiday. It commemorates the declaration of independence made in Riga in 1918, and it is closely associated with expressions of national identity, remembrance and state ceremony. The day stands apart from later independence-restoration anniversaries and is the most prominent civic commemoration on the Latvian calendar.

History

On 18 November 1918, representatives of Latvian political organisations declared the independence of the Republic of Latvia in Riga. That proclamation became the basis for the modern state’s National Day observance. The date has remained the country’s principal national commemoration.

Traditions

A common symbolic tradition is wearing or displaying the Latvian colours, especially red and white. Homes, public buildings and event spaces are often decorated with the national flag, and public speeches and ceremonial honours are part of the day’s official character.

How National Day is celebrated in Latvia

National Day is marked by official ceremonies, cultural performances and evening events in towns and cities across Latvia. In Riga, the day is often associated with public gatherings and a visible national atmosphere, and many people attend concerts or watch televised events and the traditional evening programme.

Interesting facts

The holiday falls in late autumn, when Latvia’s independence-related commemorations are concentrated around November. It is one of the key occasions in Latvia for displaying national symbols in public.

Dates in published calendars

Import sources

• Generic ICS feed

An import is not an independent verification.

More public holidays in Latvia

• New Year's Day
• New Year's Holiday
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Labour Day
• Declaration of Independence Day