1. Latvia's National Holidays, Remembrance and Festive Days

2. January 1 New Year's Day

3. 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.

4. March-April (in accordance with the Western Church calendar) Easter

5. In Latvia, the Easter holiday consists of three special days: Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. In addition to the practices of the Christian Church, many Latvians observe older pre-Christian traditions as well to welcome the rebirth of nature and the arrival of spring.

6. May 1 Convocation of the Constituent Assembly of the Republic of Latvia Labour Day

7. While many in the world celebrate this as Labour Day, in Latvia May 1 has an additional meaning. On this date in 1920 the Constitutional Assembly, the first democratically elected Parliament of the Republic of Latvia, convened for its first session to draft and pass the state constitution.

8. May 4 Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia

9. On May 4, 1990 pro-independence members of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia (the highest legislative body in then occupied Latvia) passed a Declaration on the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia. This vote launched a transitional period until full independence was restored in August 1991. This date is now observed as as Latvia’s “second independence day”.

10. The 2nd Sunday in May Mothers' Day

11. Prior to the Second World War in Latvia, this day was devoted to a celebration of the family and its values. Since 1992 Latvia has joined others in the world recognising this as Mother’s Day. Since the mother is the central figure of traditional Latvian families, the essence of this holiday has not changed.

12. A Sunday in May or June (in accordance with the Western Church calendar) Whitsunday

13. While Whitsunday is generally associated with Christian religious practices, in Latvia it also includes earlier pre-Christian Latvian traditions.

14. June 23-24 L ī go Day and J āņ i

15. The celebration of the summer solstice is Latvia’s oldest and most beloved holiday. While some like to begin this holiday on June 21st, (the longest day of the year), the Latvian Līgo-Day takes place on June 23rd and continues with Jāņi on the following day – June 24th. Most Latvians leave the cities to gather around ceremonial bonfires in the countryside to engage in a colourful array of ancient rituals. To celebrate the arrival of the summer sun, they gather wild flowers, make oak leaf wreaths and decorate houses, animals and themselves. They also prepare special foods and brew barley beer, while singing and dancing traditional folk songs with the 'līgo' refrain.

16. November 18 Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia

17. The Republic of Latvia was proclaimed an independent state on this day in 1918 in the building that today houses the National Theatre in Rīga. Latvia’s first period of independence lasted until June 17, 1940, when Soviet forces occupied the country. The independence of the Republic of Latvia was restored on August 21, 1991. Many festive events take place through the country on this day, including a nationally televised address to the people by the President of the Republic of Latvia. In recent years this speech is given before large crowds in the square by the Freedom Monument in Rīga.

18. December 24 – 26 Christmas

19. Christmas is another important family celebration for Latvians. Many Latvians attend church services, decorate Christmas trees and exchange gifts on Christmas Eve - December 24. Celebrations continue on Christmas Day and the day after. For many Latvians this time of the year is also associated with pre-Christian traditions and rituals reflected in ancient folk songs and observed in a variety of colourful ways.

24. Remembrance Days

25. January 20 Commemoration Day of Defenders of the Barricades in 1991

26. After establishing a pro-independence government in Latvia in May 1990, the Soviet government in Moscow increased pressure to block Latvia’s peaceful mass movement toward freedom. In January 1991 the Soviet Union mobilized its security forces in an attempt to remove Latvia’s elected leaders. In response, people from all over Latvia brought trucks, tractors, and heavy equipment to Rīga to build barricades around the government buildings and parliament. The face-off culminated on January 20th when Soviet special forces initiated a gun battle and temporarily seized the Ministry of the Interior. Although several people were killed, the barricades held and pro-democracy forces prevailed to restore full independence in August 1991.

27. March 25 Commemoration Day of Victims of Communist Terror

28. On this day in 1949 (see also June 14), the Soviet occupation regime deported over 43 000 people from Latvia to Siberia. They were mainly prosperous peasants, intellectuals and others that Moscow viewed as hostile to communism and Soviet rule in Latvia. In the coming years the homes and farms of these deported Latvians were taken over by Soviet citizens brought in from other Soviet republics and collectivized.

29. June 14 Commemoration Day of Victims of Communist Terror

30. June 14 is referred to as ‘The Day of Terror’, for on this day in 1941 the Soviet occupation regime deported over 15 000 people from Latvia to Siberia. Entire families, including women, children and the elderly, were seized without warning in their apartments and loaded onto trains bound for Siberia. Many died en route, or in the concentration camps located throughout the Gulag Archipelago.

31. November 11 Latvian Freedom Fighters' Remembrance Day - L āč pl ē sis Day

32. On this date in 1919, the Latvian Army won a decisive battle against Russian and German forces led by Pavel Bermont- Avalov. This victory successfully ended the Latvian War of Liberation (1918-1920) and enabled the people of Latvia to realize their dream of an independent state. The day is named in honour of Latvia’s legendary warrior-hero, Lāčplēsis (The Bearslayer).

33. Festive Days

34. September 1 Knowledge Day (First Day of School)

35. In Latvia, September 1 is the first day of school in all educational institutions. In most schools it is a day of festivities, speeches and special events. Parents often accompany younger schoolchildren who wear their best clothes and bring flowers to honour their teachers and school directors. By evening it’s easy to identify Latvia’s schoolteachers – they are loaded down with flowers.

36. The 1st Sunday of October Teacher’s Day

37. In addition to being honoured on September 1, teacher’s also have a special day in October. A variety of activities take place – schoolchildren take the role of teachers, the best teachers are honoured and special performances are given by children. Each school has its own traditions on this day, making for a colourful and varied event throughout Latvia.