For 38 days, from 28 November to 4 January 2025, the Old Town Christmas Market conjured up a Christmas fairy tale in the Doma Square. Latvian home producers and craftsmen, an extensive cultural programme, entertainment for the youngest visitors and a warm atmosphere of celebration – travellers from more than 50 countries have visited the 25th anniversary of the Market.
According to data collected by the organisers and participants of the Old Town Christmas Market, this season the market was visited by travellers from more than 50 countries, including Australia, Bali, Peru, Philippines, El Salvador, Singapore, Mexico, Venezuela, Namibia, Suriname, Malaysia, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, as well as from nearby countries – Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, France, Romania, Italy and others. In 2024, the Old Town Christmas Market attracted more than 200,000 visitors, while in 2025, organisers and participants expect the number of visitors to be 10% higher than last year.
As usual, special attention has been paid to the visual design of the Market, welcoming visitors and ensuring a festive atmosphere. Alongside the magnificent Christmas Tree in the centre of Doma Square, more than 65 Christmas Trees are placed in the market area, around 400 metres of festive ribbons are used for decorations and 42 market booths are decorated with more than 500 metres of natural conifer garlands. The largest ornamental wreath is 2 metres in diameter.
An extensive cultural programme at the weekends is also an integral part of the Market. In total, there were 13 dance evenings with DJs popular in Latvia, and 32 concerts by choirs, folklore groups, vocal ensembles, bands and soloists. Every evening since 1 December, the Old Town Christmas Market has brought the magic of the festive season outside the Doma Square, posting 26 new Christmas fairy tales created by playwright Klāvs Knuts Sukurs especially for the Market on social media accounts and on the website. They were read by the organisers of the Market and well-known public figures.
Younger visitors took part in creative workshops and met the elves, as well as had the opportunity to visit Santa's house, where they were greeted and listened to by Father Christmas. More than 4,200 children from 46 countries visited Santa's House in the Old Town, 205 letters were sent to Santa and more than 70 kg of sweets were distributed.
Over 38 days, the participants, the traders, have met visitors from all over the world. There has been genuine interest in Latvian products and dishes. Market visitors were particularly fascinated by the opportunity to watch craftspeople at work. There were also special, memorable moments – a seller was present when a tourist from Australia saw snow for the first time in his life – immense joy, every falling flake was photographed and the traveller immediately reported the miracle to his relatives.
A German buyer of Christmas decorations tattooed the bought ornament on his arm and then came to show it to the trader himself.
A particularly pleasant surprise was experienced by the seller, from whom several cakes were bought by a New Zealand writer – the seller is a fan of his books.
About the Old Town Christmas Market: In 2000, the first Christmas Market was held in the heart of Old Riga, and it soon became a favourite festive tradition for both residents and visitors from far away lands. Over the years, the Market has evolved into a herald of festive feelings, combining fragrant delicacies, handicrafts and the glow of Christmas Tree decorations in the light of string of lamps, filling hearts with the wonder of Christmas. For 25 years, the Old Town Christmas Market has been organised by businessman Andris Kreislers and his team.
Information was prepared by Linda Ertmane, e-mail:media@vzt.lv, market website: www.vzt.lv
