Introduction to Bank Holidays in Latvia 2026
Bank holidays in Latvia, known locally as ‘svētki’ or public holidays, are days when most businesses, schools, and government offices close. For 2026, there are 11 official public holidays, many aligning with Christian and national traditions. Unlike the UK’s bank holidays, which vary by nation and include substitute days, Latvia’s are fixed dates with no automatic substitutes for weekends.
This guide is tailored for UK audiences—whether you’re a British traveller planning a trip to Riga or the Baltic coast, an expat living in Latvia, or a business owner trading with Latvian partners. We’ll list all 2026 dates, explain their significance, and compare them to UK bank holidays for seamless planning. With Easter in early April 2026, now’s the perfect time to review (context: April 2026).
Complete List of Latvia Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s the full calendar of Latvian public holidays for 2026. Note that Good Friday and Easter Monday are movable, based on the lunar calendar. Banks, post offices, and supermarkets typically close, though some tourist areas in Riga may stay open.
January
- 1 January (Thursday): New Year’s Day – A nationwide celebration marking the start of the year. Fireworks light up Riga’s Old Town.
- 6 January (Tuesday): Epiphany (Three Kings’ Day) – Religious holiday commemorating the Magi’s visit to Jesus. Church services and family gatherings.
April (Easter Period)
- 3 April (Friday): Good Friday – Introduced as a public holiday in 2023, observed with solemn church services.
- 6 April (Monday): Easter Monday – Continuation of Easter festivities with egg painting and family meals.
May
- 1 May (Friday): Labour Day – Honours workers with parades and picnics, rooted in international socialist traditions.
- 4 May (Monday): Constitution Day – Celebrates the 1922 adoption of Latvia’s constitution, a key independence milestone.
June (Midsummer)
- 23 June (Tuesday): Līgo (Midsummer Eve) – Bonfires, folk songs, and wreath-making. A cultural highlight.
- 24 June (Wednesday): Jāņi (St. John’s Day) – The biggest Latvian festival with cheese, beer, and countryside parties.
November
- 18 November (Wednesday): Independence Day – Marks the 1918 proclamation of Latvian independence from Russia and Germany. Parades in Riga.
December
- 25 December (Friday): Christmas Day – Family time with Latvian traditions like nine types of food on the table.
- 26 December (Saturday): Second Christmas Day – Extended holiday for rest and visits.
| Date | Holiday | Day of Week | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day | Thu | Nationwide closure |
| 6 Jan | Epiphany | Tue | Religious |
| 3 Apr | Good Friday | Fri | Newer holiday |
| 6 Apr | Easter Monday | Mon | Movable |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Fri | Parades |
| 4 May | Constitution Day | Mon | Patriotic |
| 23 Jun | Līgo | Tue | Cultural |
| 24 Jun | Jāņi | Wed | Festival peak |
| 18 Nov | Independence Day | Wed | Riga events |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day | Fri | Family-focused |
| 26 Dec | Second Christmas Day | Sat | Extended rest |
Latvia vs UK Bank Holidays 2026: Key Comparisons
Latvia’s holidays differ from the UK’s, which are ‘bank holidays’ with regional variations. For reference, here’s the official-style UK 2026 list (sourced from gov.uk projections):
- New Year’s Day: Thursday 1 January 2026 (all UK).
- Scotland: 2 January 2026 (Friday) bank holiday.
- Good Friday: Friday 3 April 2026 (all UK).
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April 2026 (England, Wales, Northern Ireland; not statutory in Scotland).
- Early May bank holiday: Monday 4 May 2026 (all UK).
- Spring bank holiday: Monday 25 May 2026 (all UK).
- Summer bank holiday (Scotland): Monday 3 August 2026.
- Summer bank holiday (England, Wales, Northern Ireland): Monday 31 August 2026.
- St Andrew’s Day: Monday 30 November 2026 (Scotland).
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December 2026; Boxing Day: Saturday 26 December 2026; substitute Monday 28 December 2026 where applicable.
Overlaps and Differences:
- Easter (3-6 April): Identical dates for Good Friday and Easter Monday across both. Ideal for UK-Latvia Easter breaks.
- May: Latvia has 1-4 May (Fri-Mon long weekend); UK Early May on 4 May (Mon). Perfect alignment for expats.
- Summer: Latvia’s unique Līgo/Jāņi (23-24 June) vs UK’s Spring (25 May) and Summer (Aug) holidays. No direct match—plan around Latvian midsummer travel rushes.
- End of Year: Both have 1 Jan, 25-26 Dec. UK adds Boxing Day substitute (28 Dec Mon), while Latvia’s 26 Dec falls on Sat.
Scotland has extra days like 2 Jan and St Andrew’s, absent in Latvia. No Latvian equivalents to UK’s August bank holidays.
Impacts on Travel from the UK to Latvia
British Airways, Ryanair, and airBaltic offer direct flights from London, Manchester, and Edinburgh to Riga. Book early for holidays:
Easter 2026 (3-6 April)
Expect crowded churches and higher hotel prices in Riga. UK Easter Monday matches, so combine for a four-day trip.
Midsummer Jāņi (23-24 June)
Rural areas buzz—rent a car for countryside festivals. Flights may spike; avoid if seeking quiet.
Christmas (25-26 Dec)
Riga’s markets glow, but closures mean plan dining ahead. UK substitute on 28 Dec extends your holiday.
Tips for UK Travellers:
- Use Rome2Rio for trains/buses.
- EU roaming applies; no visa for UK citizens (up to 90 days).
- Weather: Mild summers (20°C), cold winters (-5°C).
- Currency: Euro (€). Cards widely accepted.
Business and Remote Work Considerations
For UK firms with Latvian suppliers:
- Long Weekends: 1-6 Jan (Thu-Tue, 6 days off), 1-4 May (Fri-Mon), 23-24 Jun (Tue-Wed), 25-28 Dec (Fri-Mon with UK sub).
- Emails unanswered; schedule calls outside these.
- Remote workers: Coworking in Riga (e.g., TechHub) open limited hours.
Latvian law requires double pay for holiday work. Compare to UK: Similar closures, but UK’s regional tweaks affect supply chains.
Regional Notes and Exceptions
Latvia has no regional variations like UK nations. All 11 holidays apply nationwide, including Daugavpils and Liepāja. Some private firms may open partially.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are Latvian bank holidays paid for employees?
Yes, standard under Latvian labour law, similar to UK statutory holidays.
Do shops open on Latvian holidays?
Major supermarkets close; convenience stores may open limited hours.
How do 2026 dates affect UK-Latvia trade?
Alignments in April/May/Dec minimise disruptions; watch June/Nov.
What’s the biggest Latvian holiday?
Jāņi—think Glastonbury meets pagan roots.
Can UK citizens work in Latvia on holidays?
Freelancers note closures; Schengen rules apply for longer stays.
This guide ensures you’re prepared for bank holidays in Latvia 2026. For updates, check likumi.lv or UK FCDO. Safe travels!
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