As December begins, the countdown to the New Year starts. This year, the city’s decorations and lights will bring a new spirit, while events and festive activity will take place not only in cultural institutions, but all over the city.
In the run-up to Christmas, Daugavpils city invites both big and small Daugavpils residents and visitors to indulge in the joys of winter. To fill every day of December with an activity and use it as a source of inspiration in your everyday life, take a look at the calendar where we have written down ideas for a fulfilled December!
The festive spirit in Daugavpils
This year, in Latvia’s second largest city, Daugavpils, you can experience a real Christmas miracle! When the festive season comes, it will be lit up with the tale of a Christmas train, which has left behind scattered presents, sweets and even a small Christmas tree as it makes its way from Daugavpils train station to the city’s main festive tree. Riga Street will be filled with these glittering surprises, as will the centre of the Unity Square, where the big Christmas tree will be dressed in colourful Christmas bow. Events, a market and creative workshops will held in Unity Square throughout December.
For the first time at Daugavpils Fortress, the Santa Claus Residence will open its gates to visitors, where the elves and Santa Claus will have prepared many surprises for visitors big and small. On Advent Sundays, 3rd, 10th and 17th December, the Santa’s Residence will host Christmas readings, creative workshops and activities for adults and children. In addition, on 25th December, Santa invites everyone to a disco under the stars.
Winter’s offer at tourist and leisure attractions
Don’t miss the opening of the Winter Exhibition Season in Rothko Museum’s on 8th December, which will complement the previously opened projects – the exhibition of the international contemporary ceramics competition “Martinsons Award” and the solo exhibition of Lithuanian ceramicist Agnes Šemberaitė “Fear whispering. A journey within”. Also visit the Centre of Technics and Industrial Design “Engineering Arsenal”, where a new unique car has just been added to the retro technical and industrial design exhibition. In the same fortress, visit the exhibition “Medical exhibition with an exposition of birth control items”, dedicated to the history of medicine. In the Salon Antique “Housevintage” showroom, you can see and buy historic furniture and other interior elements from the late 19th and 20th centuries. The World War I Museum “Pie Komendanta” offers to see the objects and documents reflecting everyday military life in the First World War. The “RetroGaraž-D” exhibition will enrich your horizons with a private collection of retro cars and Soviet-era objects. In addition, the fortress will look back into the past with the exhibition “Nicholas Gate – Door to the Past”, a small historical exhibition with a large number of artefacts.
In the city centre, visit the Latgale Zoo, home to tropical and various other animals. At the Daugavpils Innovation Centre, located near the zoo, you can learn about different technologies, attend classes and watch experiments that will help you explore the world around you in a fascinating way. In the museum “Jews in Daugavpils and Latgale”, accompanied by local guide and local historian Josifs Rocko, you can learn about Jewish culture, Jewish life and traditions in Latgale and Daugavpils since 1935. Discover the hospitality and culinary traditions of Latgale at the Latgale Culinary Heritage Centre “Šmakovka” in Daugavpils. The Daugavpils Museum of Regional History and Art offers an insight into the history, culture, art and nature of Daugavpils and the region. The museum houses permanent exhibitions of history, nature and an art hall. The Daugavpils Clay Art Centre offers information about the cultural heritage of Latgale – the traditions of ceramics and pottery, and the works of potters.
Active recreation
If you are a fan of active recreation, visit the Stropu Active Recreation and Sports Track, where you can rent the necessary equipment for winter activities and enjoy the winter delights. Meanwhile, the Daugavpils Ice Hall offers ice-skating sessions throughout the year. Enjoy winter walks by visiting Daugavpils squares, parks and promenades, which in the evenings are lit up with festive decorations.
Get in the festive spirit by attending performances and events
Exciting productions, premieres and masterful acting characterise Daugavpils Theatre, where every performance is emotionally charged. If you want to spend your evenings in an entertaining way, head to the Daugavpils Palace of Culture or the concert hall of The Unity House, where a wide variety of musical concerts and performances take place.
Experience the variety of tastes
Daugavpils restaurants and cafés offer a wide variety of food, and of course, in winter you can’t do without a warm cup of tea or coffee to warm you up after a stroll around the city. Restaurants and cafés offer music nights during the holidays and at weekends, so book early to enjoy an evening in great company.
Take care of your health and well-being
As the thermometer dips below zero in winter, you’ll want to enjoy spa treatments and the warmth that restores energy and inner balance. Take a look at the range of offers in the Beauty and Health section of our website and treat yourself!
Calendar of ideas for December
It’s easy! This December 2023 calendar can be downloaded kids calendar, adult calendar printed (or saved in digital format only) and used as a source of inspiration throughout the month.
You can find out more about the December events organised in Daugavpils on the visitdaugavpils.lv website and follow the news on the Daugavpils.Events Facebook page.
See you in Daugavpils
Happy holidays in Daugavpils! The above are just a few of the ideas for things to do in Daugavpils. Get more inspiration at www.visitdaugavpils.lv. We will be happy if you share this year’s winter photos taken in Daugavpils on social media with the hashtag #visitdaugavpils and #winterindaugavpils, so we can enjoy the magic of winter together! If you have any further questions about recreational opportunities in Daugavpils and the region, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Information was written by:
Daugavpils State Municipality
Department of Public Relations and Tourism
Tourism Department
E-mail: turisms@daugavpils.lv
Tel. 26444810
www.visitdaugavpils.lv
