New year, new adventures! Are you ready to start 2025 with a lovely walk through the charming streets of Riga?
Riga in January is a tranquil and lovely place to spend your holiday or a weekend getaway. It’s particularly favoured by tourists for its beautiful buildings, snowy rooftops and stunning spas and saunas.
Let’s dive into the best events Riga has to offer this month!
- Go shopping for cosy traditional goodies
- Warm up in local cafes
- See art and exhibitions
- Attend theatre, opera and ballet
- Relax in SPAs
- Sports and outdoor leisure
- Riga—the place to be this January
Go shopping for cosy traditional goodies
Warm up this winter by stocking up on traditional Latvian clothing, such as knitted socks and mittens. Latvians are big on knitting, so finding quality knitwear will be a fun experience.
Photo source: Unsplash
Traditional clothing store “Senā Klēts”
This clothing store is famous for traditional wear, unique clothing items and quality materials. You’ll find many linen and woolen items, such as vests, skirts, socks, mittens, bags, scarves and even traditional crowns and blankets.
Photo source: Live Riga
Senā Klēts is conveniently located in the Old Town, in Rātslaukums.
See their offering – Senā Klēts.
Cosy handcrafted knitwear “Tīnes”
Tīnes offers a wide array of yarns as well as wool and linen clothing. Here you’ll find anything from ethnographic mittens to stylish hair ribbons, coats, capes and ponchos.
Photo source: Facebook
This store is located at 5 Riharda Vagnera street in the Old Town.
See their offering – Tīnes.
Knitwear and yarn store “Hobbywool”
This store has everything you need to make your own knitting passion projects come true. From educational books to quality wool, the Hobbywool store offers everything for crafts enthusiasts.
Photo source: Hobbywool
Or, if you’re merely looking for a shopping spree, you’ll be able to purchase mittens, fingerless gloves and socks here as well.
You’ll find Hobbywool in the Old Town, at 6 Mazā Pils street.
See their offering – Hobbywool.
Warm up in local cafes
January is a magical yet cold month that’s perfect for finding cosy cafes and have a warm chat with your friends or family.
Photo source: Unsplash
Parunāsim kafe’teeka
This cafe is hidden in the Old Town right next to the St. Jacob’s Catholic Cathedral of Riga. Here you’ll be able to get your hands on warm teas, coffee, and other beverages, including cocktails.
And, don’t forget to top your experience with a delicious piece of cake!
Photo source: Tripadvisor
You’ll find Parunāsim kafe’teeka at 4 Mazā Pils street.
Innocent Cafe
Innocent Cafe is one of Riga’s most popular coffee places. It has excellent Illy coffee and a welcoming atmosphere.
You’ll also be able to get a meal here, as well as other beverages.
Photo source: Facebook
You’ll find Innocent Cafe at 34 Blaumaņa street.
ONE Cacao
This coffee shop is unlike any other in Riga. As the name suggests, its main drink is cacao. In fact, their cacao drinks are made from raw, ceremonial-grade cacao from the jungle, providing a whole new experience for cosy November evenings.
Photo source: Live Riga
In fact, their cacao drinks are made from raw, ceremonial-grade cacao from the jungle, providing a whole new experience for cosy evenings.
You’ll find ONE Cacao on 21 Skolas street.
See art and exhibitions
January is a calm and thoughtful month, making it ideal for different exhibitions in Riga.
See what Riga has to offer this month and immerse yourself in new experiences!
Photo exhibition “Gleizds, Paper, Scissors”
Date: all month long
Explore the intricate world of photography with the “Gleizds, Paper, Scissors” exhibition. This event invites visitors to discover unique perspectives through the lens of art and storytelling.
Photo source: Live Riga
This exhibition is ideal for art lovers and is available throughout January, giving you plenty of time to visit and reflect.
Gunārs Binde photo exhibition
Dates: Until January 19
Step into the world of one of Latvia’s most renowned photographers, Gunārs Binde. This photo exhibition is a tribute to his artistic legacy, offering a glimpse into peculiar ways this photographer captures emotion and movement.
Photo source: Live Riga
Free admission to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
Dates: January 26
Don’t miss out this special opportunity to visit the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia for free! Dive into the country’s complex history through engaging exhibits that detail Latvia’s occupation during the 20th century.
Photo source: Live Riga
This museum provides an essential look at the resilience and spirit of the Latvian people throughout the times.
Attend theatre, opera and ballet
Riga’s cultural scene comes alive in January with spectacular performances in opera, ballet and theatre. Are you ready for it?
Opera “Macbeth”
Date: January 17, 19
Experience the dramatic intensity of Verdi’s opera “Macbeth“, which a masterpiece inspired by Shakespeare’s legendary play.
Photo source: Live Riga
This production combines powerful melodies and performances that tell a story of ambition, betrayal and tragedy. Whether you’re an opera fan or a first-timer, you can’t go wrong with “Macbeth”.
Ballet “Giselle”
Date: January 18
Only one night this January! Step into the world of “Giselle“, a timeless ballet that blends romance, heartbreak and a bit of the supernatural.
Photo source: Live Riga
Known for its breathtaking choreography and emotional depth, this performance is a must-see for fans of classical ballet.
Performance Tartuffe
Date: January 22
Enjoy a witty and engaging evening with the performance of Molière’s classic play “Tartuffe“.
Photo source: Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre
This satirical comedy mixes hypocrisy and deception with a sharp sense of humor. Plus, with its brilliant dialogue and memorable characters, this play promises to leave you laughing.
Relax in SPAs
After waddling the streets of Riga, take a break from the cold and indulge in the ultimate relaxation experiences offered by Riga’s top spas!
ESPA Riga
Enjoy the luxurious world of ESPA Riga, known for its five-star treatments and serene ambiance. Whether you choose a soothing massage, a revitalizing facial, relaxing in a thermal suite or swim in the outdoor pool, you’ll leave feeling completely recharged.
Photo source: ESPA Riga
Kempinski The Spa
Kempinski is located in the heart of Riga and offers many treatments. You’ll get to enjoy modern techniques with traditional rituals for all tastes. From tailored body therapies to hydrotherapy sessions, this spa is a great place to wave goodbye to the stress of daily life.
Photo source: Kempinski
Hedonic SPA
If you’re looking for a unique wellness journey, visit Hedonic SPA. It specializes in combining relaxation with innovative spa experiences.
Photo source: Grand Poet Hotel
Here you can experience a variety of procedures, from aromatherapy to advanced skin treatments. This spa is fantastic for anyone looking for personalized care.
Sports and outdoor leisure
You know how the saying goes: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” It’s always a good time to enjoy outdoor activities in Riga.
Photo source: Live Riga
No matter if you choose to play a round of disc golf or solve puzzles in a city-wide game, you’re guaranteed to have tons of fun.
airBaltic Disc golf park in Mežaparks
During your stay in Riga, visiting airBaltic’s very own disc golf park in Mežaparks is a must-have. Tucked away in beautiful, lush forests, it’s the perfect spot for both newcomers and seasoned players to come together for a round of disc golf.
P.S. If you become an airBaltic Club member, you’ll get to play for free once every month. Plus, if you’re an Executive or VIP member, or are a proud owner of our Planies NFT, you’re in luck—there’s no cap on free games at the airBaltic Disc golf park!
Roadgames
Explore all the nooks and crannies of Riga city and beyond with Roadgames, an engaging scavenger hunt game that combines exploration with puzzle-solving. This unique game is perfect for those eager to see the city from a different angle.
Photo source: Roadgames
Plus, you can play anytime you like – there’s no set date. And, you can explore the city on foot, by bike, or by car.
Pro tip: if you wish to explore in comfort, you can conveniently rent a car through our partner SIXT and collect airBaltic Club points.
Riga—the place to be this January
Riga in January offers something for every traveller.
Whether you’re enjoying markets, visiting community gatherings, exploring art exhibitions, relaxing in stunning SPAs or simply experiencing the charming Latvian culture and cosy winter feeling, the city’s vibrant energy will make your travels unforgettable.
Photo source: Unsplash
Pack your bags, book your tickets, and get ready for a wonderful trip to Riga!