Winter festivals in the Baltic countries - Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia - celebrate old ways and modern life with folk traditions, film, Christmas markets, and fireworks.
1. Estonia Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn - November
Tallinn's Black Nights Film Festival is an important event in Estonia. Running the month of November, it features live action and animated films from around the world.Riga's Old Town is bedecked with Christmas spirit as a traditional Christmas Tree is erected, market stalls are set up, and tents are pitched. Christmas market visitors can shop for folk crafts and decorations, enjoy a warm beverage, and sample traditional foods.
3. Latvia Martini Festival - November
The Martini Festival (or Martin's Festival) marks the beginning of winter in Latvia. The winter Martini Festival in Latvia goes hand-in-hand with Latvia's agricultural heritage because it symbolizes the time when farmers cease to work the fields and instead turn to other tasks integral to rural life.4. Lithuania All Souls' Day - November
All Soul's Day in Lithuania is a day to remember the dead. Candles are lit at gravesite memorials and in churches on this day.5. Christmas Market in Tallinn, Estonia - End of November/December
Tallinn's Christmas Market is set up in Old Town at the end of November and runs through Christmas. Folk crafts, refreshments, and entertainment are a part of the festivities.6. Latvia Winter Solstice Celebration - December 22
The Winter Solstice celebration in Latvia is marked by the decoration of a Christmas Tree and the eating of certain foods. Old traditions - like caroling and dragging of the Yule log - may still exist in some form.7. Lithuania New Year's Eve in Vilnius - 31 December
Vilnius is the capital city of Lithuania, and like other capital cities, has the largest New Year's Eve celebration in the country. The main square is filled with celebrants who count down until midnight. Afterwards, the crowd disperses and individuals fill up Vilnius' bars and clubs.8. Estonia New Year's Eve in Tallinn - December 31
Tallinn celebrates New Year's Eve with fireworks and parties. Bars, clubs, and restaurants are packed full as the city's denizens celebrate.9. Latvia New Year's Celebration in Riga - December 31
Old Town Square is crowded come December 31st, where locals and visitors count down until midnight and wait for the fireworks display. Celebrations continue into the morning.10. Lithuania Usgavenes Festival - February
Lithuania's welcome of springtime takes the shape of the Usgavenes festival, which occurs before Lent. Traditional foods, like pancakes, are prepared and eaten, and young people dress up in costume. Traditionally, this festival has also been accompanied by folk songs and dances.
