Lights and colours in winter’s darkness: Riga in Christmas/New Year 2009/2010

Several things made these Christmas and New year celebrations in Riga better than in previous years. Firstly, it’s the best (or – the first) winter in the last 10 or so years. Secondly, Christmas decorations in the city this year were significantly more & better than in previous years. Because of Orthodox Christmas, the city was still decorated all the last week and I used this chance to take some photos of Christmas/New Year Riga. I will add a few daylight winter photos too.

Despite of quite frequent snowfalls and temperature well below zero, the snow cover in Riga doesn’t remain thick for too long.

Riga canal is frozen and ducks are forced to reside on snow. And that is like a magnet to people of all ages…

Valdemara street

OK, let’s switch to night shots.

Evening snowfall…

Riga Canal. Where are those light beams coming from? We will find out soon…

Raina boulevard.

Kalpaka boulevard

Vermanes park has became a "battlefield" of 2 leading mobile operators in Latvia. While in light festival "Staro Riga" time Tele2 decorated this park, now LMT has made their "Winter Garden" here – with great decorations and music in non-stop 24 hours a day. It looks and feels amazing.