Arts and Entertainment Events in Latvia
April 25-May 1
Welcome to your weekly guide to concerts, exhibitions and festivals in the Latvian capital! it's published every Friday morning - follow on Facebook for regular updates.
Learn more about my tours in Riga and Latvia.
Highlights of the Week
Try your hand at all sorts of traditional crafts at the Meet Your Craftsman weekend in Riga.
There are activities all over the city. Learn about Easter traditions and decorations at the Riga Latvian Society House. Make pottery on a potter's wheel at VEF Palace of Culture. Learn to make lace and traditional mittens, and enjoy a beginner's class in playing the kokle at the Ritums Culture and Folk Art Centre.
May 26 & 27. Most events are free, while some charge for materials used. Many require booking your place in advance. More details here.
For something more contemporary, pick up unique clothes, accessories and interior objects from over 80 Baltic designers at the Spring Design Market at VEF Quarter. April 26 & 27, 11:00-17:00, free entry.
I'm your guide for walks around Old Riga, marvellous Art Nouveau architecture, and the highlights of the Latvian capital.Or for a blast from the past on a Soviet history tour.
Live Music
classical
Diāna Jaunzeme-Portnaja plays works by notable French composers on the grand organ of Riga Cathedral. Friday April 25, 19:00, tickets from 15 euros.
Soprano Monta Martinsone and Māris Kupčs on harpsichord perform arias from Italian operas at Collegium Musicum Riga. Friday April 25, 19:00, tickets are 10 euros.
Be entranced as a beautiful Baltic trio plays a concert of chamber music on the theme of "Elegant France" at the Museum of Riga's History and Navigation. Saturday April 26, 19:00, tickets from 18 euros.
Pupils of Jāzeps Mediņš Riga Musical Secondary School Vocal Department perform works by Western European composers in St. Peter's Church. Tuesday April 29, 18:00, free entry.
jazz & folk
DJ Mixmaster AG plays together with live instruments at a groove jam session at M/Darbnīca. Friday April 25, 20:00, tickets for 10 euros.
Rihards Lībietis on guitar and Ēriks Miezis on vibraphone play ambient fusion Masa gallery and culture bar. Saturday April 26, 20:00, tickets cost 10 euros.
Pay homage to International Jazz Day at Masa gallery and culture bar, with a talented local and international quintet playing a concert titled "Breath of Life." Wednesday April 30, 20:00, tickets for 15 euros.
rock & blues
Help Ksenija the founder of Masa gallery and culture bar celebrate her birthday, with music by "Baltic fusion" band Fun COOLio and DJ Funk. Friday April 25, 19:00, free entry.
Get a lot of different vibes at Old Riga Festival, with music ranging from DJs to lounge legend Žoržs Siksna to bluesy Very Cool People with the amazing Daniela Mase. The event is organised by three veteran bars - B-Bārs, Garāža and Cuba Cafe - and is to be held in the bank-turned-arts-venue at Pils iela 23. Saturday April 26, 18:00-03:00, tickets from 15 euros and some change.
Enjoy a sunny stroll in Jurmala, a daytrip to Kemeri National Park, a drive to beautiful Kurzeme or a tour to spectacular Sigulda.
Fun and Games
Get your fingers green at the Spring Garden Festival at Bulduri Technical College, Latvia's top horticultural school.Get expert advice on fruit trees and roses and pick up plants from dozens of stalls.There's a competition under professional supervision for climbing a tree and building a tree house, as well as folk dancing, a mini zoo and floristics classes for youngsters. Saturday April 26, 9:00-16:00, free entry.
Time travel to the Open Air Ethnographic Museum for the season opening festival "A Day in Our Home." Museum staff will don period costumes and demonstrate ancient skills including pottery, weaving fishnets and blacksmithing nails, all to the beat of live folk music. Thursday May 1, 11:00-15:00, entry with museum tickets.
* Please note that May 1 and 2 are public holidays in Latvia. Most tourism-related businesses will be open but public transport will run on weekend schedules.
Food and Drink
Sizzle over to Āgenskalns Market for Grill Day. The pavilion cafes will serve burgers, steaks and other treats, while in the courtyard experts will give advice on attaining the perfect juicy shashlik. Sunday April 27, 11:00-17:00 free entry.
Travel easy in Latvia and Riga with my disabled accessible tours.
Exhibitions
Move "Up, Down and All Around" at an exhibition by porcelain art tandem Ingūna Skuja and Melissa Braden. Riga Porcelain Museum, until June 8.
Ride over to "Galloping through thee Clouds," a show where more than 60 artists from the 19th century to today depict horses. At Art Platz, until May 11.
Warm up with an exhibit of early 20th century radiators and other central heating equipment. Riga Art Nouveau Centre, until May 11.
Ponder a retrospective of three late Soviet-era Baltic artists - Malle Leis, Maija Tabaka and Marija Terese Roženskaite in "Beyond the Frame." Contemporary Art Centre Zuzeum, until May 18.
Discover the career of architect Gunārs Birkerts, creator of Riga's "Castle of Light," at "Birkerts. Libraries. Light." National Library of Latvia, until January 17, 2026.
Examine paintings, sculptures, graphics and installations nominated for the Purvītis Prize. National Art Museum of Latvia, Until June 8.
Tread gently through "Layers", a new exhibition by 24 Baltic glass artists at Riga's Museum of Decorative Art and Design. Until May 18.
Explore paintings, drawings and murals by contemporary artist Diāna Adamaite in "Frequencies in Space", as well as music by Kristaps Pētersons composed for Diāna's art. At Dubulti Art Station, until May 4.
Delight in "The Garden of Past Pleasures," a retrospective for Latvian contemporary master Līga Purmale. National Art Museum of Latvia, until August 10.
Get outside the box at "Painting: From Rational to Virtual. 1966-2024", a retrospective of French conceptualist Bernar Venet. Museum of Foreign Art, until April 27.
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