Riga in winter is cold and dark early – and for a stag do it is surprisingly good. The bars and clubs run all year, and the cold brings activities you cannot do in summer, like ice drifting and the bobsleigh.
Riga in winter at a glance
≈1 °C
average daytime high in December
~16:00
when it gets dark in December
~1 h
drive to the Sigulda bobsleigh track
Nov–Jan
Christmas market season in the Old Town
All year
bars, clubs and saunas
What to do on a winter stag do
🛷 Bobsleigh in Sigulda
A 1,200 m competition track with 16 turns, about an hour from Riga. In winter you can ride with a professional pilot at over 100 km/h (16+ only).
🚗 Snow & ice drifting
Driving sideways on snow and ice is a classic Latvian winter thrill – only possible when there is proper frost.
🥌 Curling
Easy to learn, competitive within minutes and played indoors, so the weather never matters.
🧖 Sauna and hot tub
The Baltic way to warm up after a cold day – book it for the afternoon before the big night.
🎄 Christmas market
From late November to early January, Dome Square in the Old Town has a Christmas market with hot drinks and food stalls.
A winter weekend that works
Friday
Arrive and warm up
Airport transfer, dinner in the Old Town and a pub crawl through bars that are warm, busy and open all year.
Saturday
Snow day
Bobsleigh in Sigulda or ice drifting in the morning, sauna and hot tub in the afternoon, then the main night out.
Sunday
Slow start
Late breakfast, a walk through the Christmas market (in season) and the airport transfer.
Good to know in winter
🧥 Dress for the cold
December to February averages around 0 °C by day and below freezing at night. Bring proper jackets and shoes for icy cobbles.
🌙 Plan for early darkness
In December it is dark by about 4 pm, so do outdoor activities before lunch.
❄️ Snow is likely, not guaranteed
Snow-only activities like ice drifting are confirmed closer to the date, with an indoor plan B.
🛒 Alcohol shop hours
Shops sell alcohol only until 20:00 (Sundays 18:00). Bars are not affected.
📅 Holiday dates
24–26 December and 1 January are public holidays in Latvia. 31 December is a normal working day.
Winter activities in Riga
FAQ
Is Riga good for a stag do in winter?
Yes. The nightlife runs all year and winter adds activities like the bobsleigh, ice drifting and curling. Just plan outdoor activities for daylight.
How cold is Riga in winter?
December to February averages around 0 °C during the day and −2 to −5 °C at night. Some days are much colder.
Can we do the bobsleigh in winter?
Yes. The Sigulda track is about an hour from Riga, and the winter rides usually run from November to March, depending on the weather.
What if there is no snow?
Bobsleigh, curling, sauna, shooting and most other activities do not depend on snow. Snow-only activities can be swapped for an indoor alternative.
