Latvia’s readers get the Vilnius Christmas dates early

Latvian portal Otkrito.lv has already marked 28 November for its readers: the day Vilnius lights its main Christmas tree and opens the market on Cathedral Square.

Otkrito.lv, a lifestyle portal in Latvia, published its announcement in mid-September, well ahead of the first frost. The season opens with the tree lighting, and the market beside it runs until 27 December. The tree’s design is still under wraps. The portal recalls that earlier years brought fairy-tale motifs, a festive cake and a giant clock, and that Vilnius was named European Christmas Capital in 2025.

The rest of the programme is in the details. Last year the market had 48 wooden huts, and visitors can expect gingerbread, hot drinks, candles, amber jewellery and wooden toys again. A Christmas train will loop through the decorated Old Town until 6 January. A two-storey carousel and an ice rink on Town Hall Square are also listed, along with the Design Square fair of local designers (15–20 December) and the Slowest Marathon, a leisurely festive route through the city on 12 December.

The portal also points out that Vilnius is courting travellers who would rather skip the biggest, most crowded Christmas markets. It cites Skyscanner’s 2026 report, which says 34% of travellers choose quieter destinations. For readers in Riga, the direct LTG Link train runs daily and takes about four hours.