✈️ Riga weather by month: when to go to avoid overpaying

June and July give Riga almost round-the-clock daylight and packed terraces along the Old Town streets. But warmth also brings high prices and museum lines. The best time to visit Riga depends on what you want from the city: hot days by the Baltic, a quiet shoulder season, or the Christmas market.

May and September offer the same city at a noticeably lower cost. Daytime is comfortable, there are fewer tourists, and daylight still lasts long. According to weather statistics (as of 09/2026, World Bank), May daytime temperatures are around 18 °C, and September still holds the warmth.

In short: plan your trip from mid-May through September. Choose July for the weather, not for the budget.

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When to visit Riga

💡 In short:

Best time to visit: mid-May through September.
Peak season brings warmth and long days, shoulder season brings lower prices and fewer people.
Weather and event dates: 09/2026, verified against World Bank climate data and the Riga City Council calendar.

The season in Riga splits into three parts. Peak season covers June, July, and August. Shoulder season includes May and September. The remaining months fall into the low season with cold and short days.

In summer the Baltic warms up, and Jūrmala becomes a full-fledged beach destination half an hour from the center. The city lives outdoors: terraces, concerts, late-night walks through the Old Town. In June it stays light almost around the clock, so evening plans need no limits.

Shoulder season suits those coming for architecture, museums, and calm. Crowds thin out, hotels get cheaper, and the weather still works for long walks. Bring a rain jacket: precipitation falls here in any month of the year.

In winter the city switches to dark mode, and the short December day is offset by the Christmas market. January and February are the coldest, so warm layers and waterproof shoes are essential.

Riga weather by month

Month	Daytime, °C	Nighttime, °C	Precipitation, mm	Season
January	-2	-7	38	low
February	0	-8	30	low
March	5	-4	30	low
April	12	2	40	low
May	18	7	48	shoulder
June	22	11	60	peak
July	24	13	75	peak
August	23	13	72	peak
September	18	9	65	shoulder
October	11	4	55	low
November	5	0	56	low
December	0	-5	44	low

The table shows average climate normals for 1991-2020 (as of 09/2026, World Bank). Check your month in the rows, and you will see that the difference between neighboring months within a season is small.

What each month means for your trip

Weather in January

The coldest and darkest month. There are almost no tourists, and hotels are at their lowest. Daylight is short, so build your plans around museums and cafes.

Weather in February

The cold persists, but daylight starts to grow. Snow and ice stay on sidewalks for a long time. Bring shoes with good tread and do not plan much walking.

Weather in March

Technically spring, in reality still winter. Snow melts slowly, and the weather is changeable. Prices are low, and there are no lines.

Weather in April

The air warms up, but the Baltic is still cold. The first terraces open on sunny days. A good time for museums without crowds.

Weather in May

The start of the real season. The city turns green, terraces are open, and there are still few tourists. The best month for price-to-weather ratio.

Weather in June

The longest days of the year, with light almost around the clock. Beach season opens in Jūrmala. Prices are already climbing toward the peak.

Weather in July

The warmest month and the peak of the season. Hotels are at their most expensive, and Old Town streets are crowded. Book accommodation in advance.

Weather in August

Warmth holds, and the Baltic water is at its most comfortable. There are plenty of people, but evenings are long. A good time for a trip to Jūrmala.

Weather in September

A warm and bright month, with crowds thinning out. The second best option after May on price. Bring a light jacket for the evening.

Weather in October

The weather turns worse, and rain becomes frequent. Autumn in the Old Town is beautiful, but walking is better in dry weather.

Weather in November

The grayest month. Little light, dampness, almost no tourists. You can wait it out in indoor museums.

Weather in December

Dark and cold, but the city comes alive thanks to the Christmas market.

How much a trip costs and when to book

Prices in Riga follow the season. In July and August hotels are at their peak, and the best options in the Old Town get booked long before the date.

The difference between peak and shoulder season is noticeable for any budget, so check prices on Trip.com for your dates.

It is better to book in advance, especially around holidays. Dates around Jāņi and the Christmas market fill up first.

Events and festivals

Riga's calendar rests on a few events. Some are tied to the summer solstice, others to winter. If you are planning a trip around a specific event, check the calendar in advance.

Jāņi (Līgo)

The main Latvian summer solstice holiday. In the city it passes quietly, but outside the city people light bonfires, sing, and eat caraway cheese (Jāņu siers). If you are traveling on these days, book countryside accommodation in advance.

House of the Blackheads in Riga with evening lighting

Latvian song and dance festival

Held once every five years. The next edition is scheduled for June 30 to July 9, 2028 (according to LSM, 04/2026). Thousands of choir singers in traditional costumes fill the streets, and the closing takes place at the Mežaparks amphitheater.

2ANNAS short film festival

An international short film festival. In 2026 it ran April 10-16, and the next program is scheduled for April 2-8, 2027 (according to 2annas.lv). A good reason to visit in the shoulder season.

Panoramic view of Old Riga and the Daugava River from above

Old Town Christmas market

The old town market on Dome Square (Doma laukums). It opens in late November and runs through the first days of January (according to the Riga City Council). Riga calls itself the birthplace of the first public Christmas tree. People come here for ceramics, mulled wine, and light on the facades.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is Riga warmest?

The peak falls in July, when daytime averages around 24 °C (as of 09/2026, World Bank). Warm days last from June through August. If you want warm Baltic water, the best time is late July and August.

Is Riga worth visiting in winter?

In winter Riga is dark and cold, with daytime temperatures around zero or below. December makes sense, when the Christmas market is running. In January and February the city is empty and gloomy, so it is worth going only for calm and low prices.

When are there the fewest tourists?

Shoulder season covers May and September: the weather still works, and crowds thin out. The emptiest months are November, January, and February. The beach season in Jūrmala is closed then, but hotels are cheap and the choice is wider.

What to do on a rainy day?

Precipitation in Riga falls in any month, so rain does not cancel a walk. The Old Town is compact, and museums and galleries stand close to one another. Take a rain jacket rather than an umbrella: on narrow streets the wind breaks umbrellas.

When do festivals take place in Riga?

The main events of the year: Jāņi on the summer solstice night, the Christmas market from late November, and the 2ANNAS festival in April. The Song and Dance Festival takes place once every five years, with the next edition planned for 2028. Check dates in the Riga City Council calendar.

In short: what to book

If you have a free week in July: take a hotel in the Old Town and a separate day for Jūrmala. If you want it quieter and cheaper: choose May or September. If you are coming for the holidays: book accommodation for Jāņi and the Christmas market in advance.

Book accommodation and a couple of tours in advance: Trip.com hotel prices and city tours on GetYourGuide.

When to go to Riga in 2026: weather, prices and holidays