Latvia's Independence Day: Celebrating 18 November with the Latvian Flag

Latvia Independence Day is 18 November, the anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia in Riga in 1918. It is the country's main national holiday, and Latvians at home and in the UK mark it with the distinctive carmine-red and white flag, candles and music. This guide covers the history, the November traditions and how to fly the Latvian flag correctly.

The proclamation of 18 November 1918

On the evening of 18 November 1918, a week after the armistice that ended the First World War, Latvia's People's Council proclaimed an independent republic at a ceremony in a Riga theatre, the building that is now the Latvian National Theatre. Independence had to be secured in a war that lasted until 1920, and Latvia was recognised internationally in the early 1920s.

After decades of Soviet rule, the Supreme Council adopted a declaration restoring independence on 4 May 1990. That date is now a second national holiday, and in recent years it has been marked with the "White Tablecloth" tradition: families and neighbours sit down together at a table laid with a white cloth to honour the founders of the state.

A November of remembrance and celebration

Latvia's national month has two moods. 11 November is L??pl?sis Day, which remembers those who fought for independence, especially in the 1919 defence of Riga. Thousands of candles are placed along the wall of Riga Castle and beside the Daugava, a striking sight on a dark autumn evening. It shares a date with Armistice Day in the UK, so it sits naturally alongside Remembrance.

A week later, 18 November is a celebration: a wreath-laying at the Freedom Monument, a military parade in Riga, concerts and, in the evening, fireworks over the river. Many people pin a small ribbon in the national colours to their coat.

Next Independence Day: Wednesday 18 November 2026.

Latvians in the UK

The UK has a sizeable Latvian community, and the Embassy of Latvia in London traditionally hosts celebrations around 18 November. Latvian Saturday schools, choirs and Lutheran congregations often hold concerts or services, and some families light candles at home on 11 November in step with Riga. Check community groups and the embassy for this year's events rather than assuming a fixed programme.

Latvian red: the flag and its legend

The flag is a broad white stripe between two stripes of a deep, brownish red known as carmine, sometimes simply called "Latvian red". Two details set it apart:

• Proportions: the stripes are in a 2:1:2 ratio, so the white band is narrower than the red ones, and the flag as a whole is 1:2. Austria's flag also has red-white-red stripes, but they are equal and a brighter red.
• Legend: a red-white-red banner is mentioned in the 13th-century Rhymed Chronicle of Livonia. Tradition says a wounded leader was wrapped in a white sheet, and the cloth was stained with his blood on either side. It's a legend rather than recorded fact, but it is the story most Latvians know.

There's no separate state or civil version for everyday use; the plain flag is used by everyone. Because the design is symmetrical it can't technically be flown upside down, but it should never be hung with the white stripe running vertically on a horizontal flagpole.

A practical note on sizes: standard 5ft x 3ft flags are a 3:5 shape rather than Latvia's longer 1:2, so the stripes are slightly taller than on an official flag. For a display that follows the official proportions exactly, a custom flag can be made to any size.

Displaying the flag beside the Union Flag

Use two poles of equal height and flags of equal size, with the Union Flag in the position of honour, on the left as viewed, in the UK. Never place one national flag above another on the same pole. For more than two flags, such as all three Baltic states, see our order of precedence guide; Lithuania's dates are in our Lithuanian Independence Day guide.

Decorating for 18 November

• Flagpole: a 5ft x 3ft Latvia flag for a home pole, or the Latvia DuraFlag if it will fly from 11 to 18 November in late-autumn weather.
• Halls and windows: Latvia bunting brightens a community room or a shop front.
• Table settings: Latvia table flags suit a reception, or a White Tablecloth meal in May.
• Candle evening: pair small hand flags with tea lights in a window for 11 November.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Latvia have two independence days?

18 November marks the 1918 proclamation of the republic; 4 May marks the 1990 declaration restoring independence. Both are public holidays in Latvia.

What is the difference between the Latvian and Austrian flags?

Latvia's red is a darker carmine and its white stripe is narrower (2:1:2). Austria has three equal stripes in a brighter red.

What is L??pl?sis Day?

Held on 11 November, it honours those who fought for Latvia's freedom, particularly in 1919. Candles are lit along the wall of Riga Castle.

Can the Latvian flag be flown upside down?

Not really, because it's symmetrical. Just make sure the stripes run horizontally when flown from a flagpole.

Find every Latvian flag we stock, or browse world flags for other communities, and see the year at a glance in our European national days calendar.