Public Holiday Calendar Guide for Latvia
Latvia's public-holiday calendar combines Christian observances, statehood commemorations and traditions connected with the seasonal cycle. Līgo and Jāņi are among the country's most distinctive celebrations, while the restoration of independence and the proclamation of the Republic are marked by nationally significant holidays. Latvian law also contains specific rules for work on public holidays and for substitute days off in a limited set of cases. [1][2][3]
How Public Holidays Are Defined
Latvia's Law on Public Holidays, Commemoration Days, and Celebration Days identifies the country's official public holidays. The list includes New Year observances, the Easter period, Labour Day, the Day of the Restoration of Independence, Mother's Day, Pentecost, Līgo Day, Jāņi Day, the final day of the Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Celebration, the Day of the Proclamation of the Republic, and the Christmas period. [1]
Not every commemorative or celebration day listed in Latvian law is a public holiday. This distinction matters when using a Latvian calendar for employment or business planning: a nationally recognised remembrance day should not automatically be treated as a statutory day off. [1]
Employment Rules for Public Holidays
The Labour Law provides that employees generally must not be required to work on public holidays established by law. Work can nevertheless be required when continuity of the work process makes it necessary. In that situation, the employee must receive either rest on another day of the week or the remuneration required by the Labour Law. [2][3]
The State Labour Inspectorate explains that this compensation rule applies regardless of whether an employee works full time or part time and regardless of the working-time arrangement. If paid rest is provided on another weekday, the separate public-holiday supplement is not paid for the holiday work. [3]
Weekend Holidays and Substitute Days
Latvia does not automatically move every public holiday that falls on a weekend to the following weekday. The holiday law instead provides a specific substitute-day rule for the Day of the Restoration of Independence, the final day of the Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Celebration, and the Day of the Proclamation of the Republic: when one of these falls on Saturday or Sunday, the next working day becomes a day off. [1]
This limited rule is important for calendar planning because it differs from systems in which every weekend public holiday produces a weekday substitute. For other Latvian holidays, readers should not assume an additional weekday off unless another applicable rule or official arrangement provides one. [1]
Līgo and Jāņi: Latvia's Midsummer Celebration
Līgo and Jāņi form Latvia's major traditional midsummer celebration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes it as the country's biggest traditional festival, with customs rooted in the summer solstice. Celebrations include gathering wild flowers and greenery, making wreaths from flowers and oak leaves, decorating homes, lighting ceremonial bonfires and singing songs with the characteristic līgo refrain. [4]
Food and drink are part of the tradition as well. Jāņi cheese seasoned with caraway and beer are closely associated with the festivities. The celebrations are therefore more than ordinary days away from work: they are a prominent expression of Latvian folk culture and seasonal tradition. [4]
Statehood Holidays
Two public holidays have particular importance in Latvia's modern statehood. The Day of the Restoration of Independence commemorates the declaration that began the process of restoring Latvia's independence after Soviet occupation. The Day of the Proclamation of the Republic commemorates the establishment of the independent Latvian state and functions as Latvia's National Day. [1][4]
These holidays should not be confused with Latvia's numerous remembrance days. The legislation separately recognises occasions connected with freedom fighters, victims of occupation and terror, European cooperation and other historical events, but their commemorative status does not by itself make them public holidays. [1]
Easter, Christmas and Other Observances
Christian traditions account for several holidays in the Latvian calendar. Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Pentecost are public holidays, as is the Christmas period. Because Easter and Pentecost are movable observances, their Gregorian dates vary and should be checked against the official calendar for the relevant year. [1][2]
Latvian law also recognises the religious calendars of Orthodox Christians, Old Believers and members of other denominations for Easter, Pentecost and Christmas. This provision reflects the country's religious diversity, although it should not be read as creating a second universal set of public holidays for the entire population. [1]
Practical Planning Around Latvian Holidays
For employment planning, use the statutory holiday list together with the Labour Law rather than assuming that every named celebration on a Latvian calendar has the same legal effect. The limited substitute-day rules are especially worth checking when one of the qualifying state holidays or the Song and Dance Celebration finale falls on a weekend. [1][2]
Visitors should verify opening hours directly with museums, shops, restaurants, transport providers and other services. The law establishes public holidays but does not imply that every commercial business must follow an identical opening schedule. Around culturally important periods such as Līgo and Jāņi, advance checks are particularly useful because celebrations are widespread and normal routines may change. [1][4]
Frequently Asked Questions about Holidays in Latvia
Does Latvia move every weekend public holiday to the following Monday?
No. Latvia has a limited statutory substitute-day rule rather than a general rule covering every public holiday. The next working day becomes a day off when certain specified state holidays or the final day of the Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Celebration falls on a Saturday or Sunday. [1]
Can an employee be required to work on a public holiday in Latvia?
Yes, when work is necessary to ensure continuity of the work process. In that case, the Labour Law requires compensation through rest on another day of the week or the applicable additional remuneration. [2][3]
Are Līgo and Jāņi official public holidays?
Yes. Both Līgo Day and Jāņi Day are expressly designated as public holidays in Latvian law. Together they form Latvia's major traditional midsummer celebration, associated with bonfires, wreaths, singing and traditional foods. [1][4]
Are all Latvian remembrance days also days off work?
No. Latvian legislation distinguishes public holidays from commemoration and celebration days. A date can have official commemorative status without being a statutory public holiday. [1]
Do shops and restaurants have to close on Latvian public holidays?
The public-holiday legislation does not establish a universal rule requiring every shop, restaurant or visitor attraction to close. Operating arrangements vary by business and holiday, so visitors should check the relevant establishment directly rather than assume either normal hours or complete closure. [1][2]
Sources
- On Public Holidays, Commemoration Days, and Celebration Days- Likumi.lv
- Labour Law- Likumi.lv
- Break time- State Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Latvia
- 11. National Hollidays and Remembrance Days- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia