The Glow of Lights, the Aroma of Cinnamon, the Warmth of Family Togetherness—The Christmas Season is a Magical Time That Fills Us with Joy and Anticipation. But why wait until December 24th to enjoy the festive spirit? Here are 7 heartwarming and beautiful ways to immerse yourself in the joy of Christmas before the big day arrives.

Enjoy the Beautiful Winter

There’s no better way to catch the Christmas spirit than to experience the tranquility and beauty of nature. Take a walk through a snow-covered forest or climb a hill to capture the breathtaking winter scenery. Being outdoors allows you to relax, forget daily worries, and creates a wonderful pre-holiday feeling.

Visit Charming Christmas Markets

Savor the joy of holiday anticipation and support local artisans by visiting beautiful Christmas markets. Enjoy family strolls, admire handmade creations, and relish the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon while soaking in the surrounding beauty! A visit to a Christmas market is a perfect way to fill your heart with the joy of the season. Here are some of the most charming markets in Latvia to visit in 2023:

1. In Riga:

   • The Christmas market with local produce and treats at the Vidzeme Market will be open on Wednesdays—December 6th, 13th, and 20th, and December 21st and 22nd from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
   • The Domina Shopping Christmas Fair from December 14th to 24th, featuring nearly 100 artisans from across Latvia, including participants from the IMSA (Disabled and Low-Income Seniors) Foundation.
   • The largest three-day Christmas Fair in the Baltics from December 15th to 17th at the International Exhibition Centre in Ķīpsala, with 433 vendors from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.
   • The Riga Christmas Market at Dome Square will be available from December 3rd to January 8th.
   • The Vērmanes Garden Christmas Market from December 15th to 16th, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
   • The Kalnciema Quarter Christmas Market, running from December 2nd to 30th, every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
   • The Walking Market in Mežaparks from December 17th to 18th, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
   • The Walking Market at Vidzeme Market (formerly the dairy pavilion) from December 22nd to 23rd, Friday from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
   • The Āgenskalns Christmas Market will run from November 27th to December 30th.
   • The Esplanade Christmas Market will be open from November 30th to January 1st, from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
   • The Tallinas Street Quarter Advent Market in Riga will be open on December 3rd, 10th, and 17th from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
   • The Mārupes Christmas Market on December 17th from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

   Visit your nearest Christmas market in Riga and other events you can find at liverriga.com and gadatirgi.lv.

   Elsewhere in Latvia:

   • Jelgava Christmas Fair at the Zemgale Olympic Centre on December 16th, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
   • Christmas markets in Valmiera District.
   • Sigulda Christmas Market on December 23rd, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
   • Ādaži Evening Christmas Market at Līgo Square on December 22nd, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

   A December market map is available to help you find the nearest Christmas market.

   You can also take a short trip outside Latvia to experience one of Europe’s top Christmas markets in Tallinn, which is open until January 7th, or visit Lithuania’s largest winter festival, the “Christmas Space Station” at Pakruojis Manor, open until January 14th. Enjoy a universe of culinary delights and surprises, including a spectacular light and laser show, cosmic-sized light lanterns, flying stars, ice sculptures, and many more discoveries (spanning 15 hectares!).

Enjoy Christmas Movie Nights with Your Loved Ones

Prepare a list of the best Christmas movies in advance and find them on popular streaming sites. Treat yourself to seasonal, delicious, and healthy snacks and drinks—local markets offer dried apples as a great healthy snack, or you can make baked apples with cinnamon, another tasty Christmas treat. Don’t forget the drinks—prepare mulled wine, apple cider, or other hot beverages and enhance their flavor with seasonal spices like cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and cardamom. If you want to warm your heart, consider classic films like It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street, or opt for comedies like Home Alone 1 & 2, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Christmas with the Kranks.

Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself!

Pamper yourself and also find joy in preparing for the coziest time of the year! Visit a spa or create a home spa evening using only natural products to stay close to nature during this beautiful holiday anticipation period. Naturetty.com offers 100% natural beauty and wellness products, perfect for your home spa! Welcome Christmas comfortably and take care of yourself as well as those around you.

Get Creative

Making handmade decorations and ornaments, crafting personalized cards, and preparing festive treats will not only be a fantastic way to feel the upcoming holidays but also provide wonderful activities to enjoy with children and other family members!

Listen to Holiday Music and Decorate Your Home

Let beautiful Christmas music fill your home! Music has a unique ability to evoke various emotions and create a beautiful festive atmosphere. While enjoying your favorite Christmas melodies, engage in creative activities and decorate your home!

Give Joy to Others

Christmas is a time for giving, and the best way to warm your heart and experience the joy of giving is to participate in charity events or organize your own! Prepare gifts for a local animal shelter, create care packages for elderly care homes, donate money to charity, or contribute anything useful to someone else—perhaps you have a pile of clothes you’ve been meaning to donate? Maybe you want to refresh your dish collection and donate the old ones to someone who needs them more? This will not only be a heartwarming, selfless act but also a great way to embrace a Less-Waste lifestyle. Giving joy to others will fill your heart with warmth and brightness as you await these beautiful, snowy holidays!

By enjoying these various experiences, you will not only greet Christmas with warmth in your heart and soul but also create beautiful and lasting memories for years to come. Perhaps some of these activities will even become new traditions for you and your family!