Second Day of Christmas in Latvia

Date and Recognition: In Latvia, the Second Day of Christmas, also known as otrais Ziemassvētku diena, is celebrated on December 26th. This day is an official public holiday in Latvia, following the First Day of Christmas.

History: The tradition of celebrating two consecutive days of Christmas has roots in the Christian faith, extending the festivities and reverence for the birth of Jesus Christ. In Latvia, as in many other European countries with Christian heritage, this practice has been observed historically and continues to be a part of modern celebrations.

Traditions:

• Family Time: Continuing from Christmas Day, families spend time together, often enjoying meals and relaxing after the more formal celebrations on December 25th.
• Visiting Relatives: It is common for people to visit relatives who they did not see on the First Day of Christmas.
• Mummering: Although less common nowadays, some regions still practice mumming (Latvian: maskošanās), where people dress in costumes and masks visiting neighbors to bring luck and chase away evil spirits.
• Religious Services: For those who are devoutly religious, attending church services remains an important part of the holiday.

Activities:

• Rest and Leisure: Many take advantage of the public holiday to rest at home or engage in leisure activities such as walking in nature or playing games.
• Cultural Events: Some cultural events may be organized by communities or municipalities including concerts or plays that celebrate Latvian heritage.

The Second Day of Christmas serves as a continuation of festive activities from Christmas Day allowing Latvians to extend their holiday time with family and friends.