Visiting Riga in November 2026
“Cool and moody. Best paired with warm rooms and long lunches.”
Roughly 13 rainy days across the month, on average.
November in Riga stretches grey and dim as the calendar approaches midwinter. Daytime highs slip to 5.4C/42F, nights hover just above freezing at 1.5C/35F, and precipitation totals 59mm across 13.4 wet days that increasingly arrive as sleet rather than rain. Sunshine collapses to 2.6 hours per day, and by month-end sunset arrives before 4pm as the city drapes itself in Advent lights along Kalku iela.
The Ziemassvetku tirdzins Christmas market at Doma laukums opens in the final week of November and runs through early January with black balsam glogg and grey pea sausages, drawing early Advent crowds. Latvian National Independence Day on November 18 fills 11. novembra krastmala with candles and fireworks, and the Static Riga art event lights Old Town facades with projection installations. Restaurant menus shift toward game, root vegetables, and warm sea-buckthorn drinks.
Ten-year November trends show Riga warming 1.7C, with 2024 recording the mildest November since 1930s station records began. The Latvian Environmental Agency logged 2025 as the darkest November on record with just 1.9 sunshine hours per day. Baltic Sea surface temperatures for November 2025 ran 2.4C above the 1991-2020 baseline, delaying the first coastal ice significantly. Forecasts for 2026 lean warm and wet with reduced snow-cover potential.
Travelers arriving in November 2026 catch pre-Christmas market opening, Independence Day fireworks, and the year's lowest hotel pricing outside January. Bring waterproof outerwear rated for sleet, plan generous cafe breaks, and treat November 2026 as Riga's introspective bridge into full winter.
Skip Old Town restaurants after 7pm and head to Miera iela in the Central District for craft beer at Alkohol Bar and Georgian food at Rukola. Latvians expect strangers to nod hello in bakeries but never small-talk on trams. The 24-bus night route to Mežaparks reveals Soviet-era wooden districts most tourists never see.
What to pack for Riga in November
November wardrobe handles cold sleet, wind, and early darkness:
- Insulated waterproof coat with cinching hood
- Merino base layer under jeans or wool trousers
- Waterproof boots with grippy soles
- Wool hat, scarf, and warm gloves
- Small torch or headlamp for early evening walks
What to pack for Riga in November
- →Lightweight fleeceAmazon · shop this
- →Merino travel socksAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Universal travel adapterAmazon · shop this
- →Compression packing cubesAmazon · shop this
- →Anti-theft crossbody bagAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in Riga
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Compare hotels on Booking.com→Estimated November trip to Riga
Off-season pricing — good value if the weather works for you. Rule-based estimates from a couple based in London — actual prices vary.
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Delayed flight to Riga?
Flights to Riga in November can be delayed by storms. Claim up to €600 if yours is 3+ hours late. EU regulations cover flights departing from or arriving in the EU/UK.
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Things worth doing
Join Independence Day candle-laying at 11. novembra krastmala on November 18, catch the Ziemassvetku tirdzins Christmas market's opening weekend at Doma laukums, tour Static Riga projection installations across Old Town facades, and warm up over sea-buckthorn tea at Central Market cafes.
November vs. the rest of the year
How this month compares in Riga. Tap any month to read more.
highlighted months are among the best time to visit.
Best time to visit Riga
While November has its own character in Riga, the data-backed best months to visit Riga are May, June, July, August. These months combine the most favourable temperatures, rainfall, and sunshine across an 11-year climate record (2015–2025).
See the full best-time-to-visit guide for RigaOther places with a similar climate right now
Read more about Riga
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The stalls are similar everywhere. Weather, crowds and prices are not. Twelve European Christmas markets compared with 11-year December data.
Riga in November — FAQ
Q01Should I visit Riga in November?
Should I visit Riga in November?
It is a fair time to visit — expect variable conditions and plan flexibility. In November, Riga averages a high of 5°C (42°F) and a low of 2°C (35°F), with 59mm of rainfall across roughly 13 rainy days. Late May to early June brings peak Vecrīga cobblestone weather before the Baltic Song and Dance Festival draws crowds and Līgo bonfires light the Daugava.
Q02What temperatures should I expect in Riga during November?
What temperatures should I expect in Riga during November?
The average high temperature in Riga during November is 5°C (42°F), with an average low of 2°C (35°F). These figures are averaged from 11 complete years of daily records (2015–2025, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03Is November a rainy month in Riga?
Is November a rainy month in Riga?
Riga averages approximately 13 rainy days in November, with a total monthly rainfall of about 59mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04How should I dress for Riga in November?
How should I dress for Riga in November?
For Riga in November, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on 11 complete years of weather averages for this specific month. A merino base layer for the ferry to Stockholm — Baltic crossings drop 5°C at night even in July.
Q05Is November a busy travel month for Riga?
Is November a busy travel month for Riga?
Tourist crowds in Riga during November are typically moderate. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely. Skip Old Town restaurants after 7pm and head to Miera iela in the Central District for craft beer at Alkohol Bar and Georgian food at Rukola. Latvians expect strangers to nod hello in bakeries but never small-talk on trams. The 24-bus night route to Mežaparks reveals Soviet-era wooden districts most tourists never see.