Though Latvia celebrates Christmas on December 25, this holiday is closely linked with pagan winter solstice celebrations. Latvians mark the 12 days up until Christmas with gifts. If you're in Riga during the month of December, you can purchase traditional decorations and sample Latvian Christmastime foods at the Riga Christmas Market.
Festivities to celebrate the New Year begin in the evening of December 31 In recent years, both the President and Prime Minister address the people on national TV. While champagne toasts are common, many Latvian families partake in a variety of traditional rituals to ensure good luck and prosperity in the New Year.
Anyone who likes beer and is thinking of visiting Latvia may consider to try some of the local brews that Latvia has to offer and let me tell you, there is no shortage of great tasting Latvian beers waiting to be drunk! Beer in Latvian is known as Alus an important word to know!