Arts and Entertainment Events in Latvia
Christmas and New Years edition - December 19-January 2
Your guide to concerts, exhibitions and festivals in the Latvian capital! Published every Friday morning - follow on Facebook for regular updates.
Highlights of the Fortnight
Another year just flew by! Yes, it's time again to savour the aroma of gingerbread, the rustle of gift wrapping, and the eternal optimism of new year's resolutions.
Below you'll find a sleigh-full of info for the festive week - Christmas concerts, winter solstice rituals, family events, new year parties, and much more.
Priecīgus svētkus! Happy holidays! And see you again in 2025.
Live Music
christmas CLASSICAL
Almost every evening until the new year, concerts by outstanding musicians accompanied by the mighty organ are held in Doma Cathedral. Be enthralled by the Riga Cathedral Boys' Choir, piano maestro Vestards Šimkus, bell ensemble Primus and much more. More information and tickets.
There's a bunch of free concerts in St. Peter's Church. Enjoy the Bank College mixed choir Monēta on December 20 at 18:00, a singalong concert on December 21 at 18:00, youth brass band Auseklītis on December 23 at 18:00, and the Riga Stradins University mixed choir on December 27 at 18:00.
The Latvian Radio Choir sings a spiritual concert as part of the Winterfest Festival in St. John's Church (Skārņu iela 24). December 20, 19:00, tickets from 20 euros.
Also in St. John's, Soprano Ilze Grēvele and the church choir perfoem Bach and Vivaldi. December 21, 17:00, tickets are 10 euros.
The Latvian Radio Choir, Sinfonietta Riga chamber orchestra and talented soloists perform Bach's Christmas Oratorio at Martin Luther Church (Tornkalna ieela 3). December 28, 19:00, tickets are 20 euros.
Hear the Riga Sackbut Consort blast out Christmas melodies from the balcony of Riga City Council (opposite the House of Blackheads). December 24, 14:00 & 16:00.
christmas with a beat
Latvian pop stars take to the stage to raise money for children's medical treatment in the Angels Over Latvia concert. The concert is free but please donate. On Rātslaukums, December 22, 19:30.
Riga Big Band plays Christmas jazz in the beautiful Splendid Palace cinema (Elizabetes iela 61). December 20, 19:00, tickets from 15 euros.
Delight in three days of solstice entertainment at the Winter Festival in Kaņepes Culture Centre (Skolas iela 15) .
On December 20 at 19:00, pianist Rūdolfs Macats gives gospel/folk/jazz vibes, then Jakob Noiman Festival Band warms the dancefloor, after which fire artist Kristaps Krolls fires up the courtyard, before DJs lay on the grooves till late.
On December 21, from 16:00, four top choir singers will each perform "espresso" concerts lasting 20 minutes each.
On December 22, from 12:00, dig into brunch and kids' gingerbread-making classes, then be serenaded by classical cellist Pauls Ēriks Skujiņš.
Winter Solstice Celebrations
Latvians were latecomers to Christianity, so they've kept lots of pagan traditions. To mark the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, folks don animal costumes, drag logs through the streets as a way of welcoming fresh energy, and sing and dance to their heart's content.
On December 19 in Old Riga, the log drag will start from Doma laukums at 18:00 culminating in it being burned on Rātslaukums at 20:00, accompanied by by folk bands.
On December 22 from 13:00, enjoy the rituals with folklore groups Zvīgzna and Kokle at the Open Air Ethnographic Museum.
In Jūrmala, on December 21 at 16:00, head to the Open Air Fishing Museum to frolic with folklore ensemble Skance.
Below, pagan performers Maģie Suiti show how they do it on the Kurzeme coast.
Christmas Fun
Go wild at Winter Nights at Riga Zoo. The paths are festively lit and you can see the giraffes fed at 15:00, alpacas at 18:15 and reindeer at 18:30. Entry till 20:00, December 20-January 11.
Every Sunday, meet Santa in Jūrmala's tourist information centre (Lienes iela 5). December 1, 8, 15, 22, 13:00-15:00, free entry.
The Saturday fairs at Riga's Kalnciems Quarter will have Christmas vibes all December. Take selfies with Santa, grab a Christmas tree, and score handmade gifts like dog-wool mittens, black garlic soap or musical copper bowls. Every Saturday, November 30-December 28, 10:00-16:00, free entry.
Grab wonderful gifts from local artists and artisans at the Kuldīga Art and Design Fair. In Kuldīga Artists' Residence (Pils iela 2, Kuldīga), December 14, 15, 21 & 22, more information.
Circus, theatre and music mingle in the family spectacular Snow Sparks at Riga Circus (Mērķeļa iela 4). Shows from December 19-January 12, tickets from 5 euros.
Enjoy classic Latvian dishes, pick up handicrafts, and let the elves entertain the little ones at Riga's big Christmas market on Doms laukums. Mon-Thu 11:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-22:00, Sun 10:00-20:00, free entry.
Have family fun at Riga's Torņkalns Church (Torņkalna iela 5), with lit-up artworks, a fir tree forest, a baby Jesus crib, plus markets on Advent Sundays. Daily 9:00-22:00, free entry.
New Year's Eve
If you're invited to a Latvian new years party, expect abundant booze and rosols (Olivier salad), divining your fortune from the shapes of melted led ingots, a zodiac dress code (whip out the snake costume), singing and dancing.
The biggest outdoor party will be in Old Riga, with DJs, video projections and hot drinks in the streets and squares from 21:00.
Riga won't have official fireworks, but Pārdaugava explodes with private displays at midnight, so find a spot south of the river for a spectacular free show.
Getting home, there will be night buses on selected routes, details to be announced a few days before. Bolt drivers tack on a surcharge, but don't start the year as a scrooge and tip them anyway.
Below are some suggestions on where to party, sorted by damage to your pocket.
For a cheap and cheerful night out, head for the bars on the eastern edge of Old Town. Thirsty Bulldog (Vecpilsētas iela 8A-8), Armoury Bar (Vecpilsētas iela 11) and My Beer (Alksnāja iela 10/12) have no entry fees and happy crowds.
For good value fun, the Rock Cafe (Mārstaļu iela 2/4) has Latvian pop band Dzels vilks and DJs for 15 euros (table reservations extra). The amusement park Players Club (Kr. Barona iela 31) has a 70s&80s disco night for the usual 15 euros entry fee. The unhitched must head to the Singles Only Party at the Tallinas ielas kvartāls hipster quarter (Tallinas iela 10). DJs, games, prizes, snacks and a glass of bubbly for around 80 euros (early birds cheaper). For a great dinner before hitting the bars, medieval restaurant Lāsīte (Anglikāņu iela 2, entrance from Aklā iela) is open till 22:00 (last seating 21:00) - see also Food and Drink.
To blow your budget, Blues House (Alunāna iela 2) offers a welcome drink, a three-course dinner, plus entertainment by the Latvian Blues Band and virtuoso pianist Gints Žilinskis for 130 euros.
Indulge in a seven-course banquet for 220 euros at Three Chefs Restaurant (Torņa iela 4).
Or head to Jūrmala for the Masquerade Ball at Baltic Beach Hotel, where 280 euros gets you a cabaret, luxury buffet and activities for the kids (they party for 120 euros).
Food and Drink
Looking to dine out Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? We can confirm that these good restaurants will be open Christmas Eve and Day.
- Charming medieval cellar restaurant Lāsīte (Anglikāņu iela 2, entrance from Aklā iela) and its resident ghost await you.
- Veteran Czech-themed pub Sveiks, Šveik! (Stabu iela 23) will be dishing out the knedliky and beer. Best to call and reserve, +371 67314674.
- Nosh down on Latvian bistro grub at Lido Leisure Centre (Krasta iela 76).
- And Old Town brewpub Two More Beers (Kalēju iela 11) will be sizzling steaks and burgers.
What's on in Riga and Jurmala - Venues
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