Arts and Entertainment Events in Latvia
February 28-March 6
Your weekly guide to concerts, exhibitions and festivals in the Latvian capital! Published every Friday morning - follow on Facebook for regular updates.
Highlight of the Week
Marking the midway point between Christmas and Easter, the Meteņi festival was historically a way of letting off steam before Lent fasting.
The fun comes to the streets of Riga this week, with traditional masks, games, singing, dancing and fire rituals. And there will be music by ethno folk crew Tā kā pērn, old school folksters Olas and folky hipsters Rahu the Fool. In Rātslaukums and with a procession through Old Riga, Sunday March 2, 12:00-16:00, free entry.
Live Music
classical
The Music Academy of Latvia Symphony Orchestra performs fragments from Mozart operas at the Music Academy of Latvia. Friday February 28, 18:00, tickets are 10 euros.
Savour classics by Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla performed by soprano Ilona Bagele backed by a chamber orchestra in the show "Oblivion." In St. Paul's Church (Grīziņkalns neighbourhood), Saturday March 1, 19:00, tickets from 14 euros.
A trio of Swiss musicians including Latvian-Swiss soprano Gunta Smirnova perform a concert of both secular and religious Baroque pieces. In Riga Cathedral, Saturday March 1, 18:00, tickets are 20 euros.
jazz & folk
Talented jazz vocalist Diāna Lielmane and piano prodigy Dāvis Balandiņš strut their stuff at Masa gallery and culture bar, Friday February 28, 20:00, tickets are 7 euros.
Join folklore group Lāns for an evening of Latvian folk songs about birds. At Ritums Culture and Folk Art Centre (entry from Jauniela 29A), Friday February 28, 18:00, tickets are 3 euros at the door, please book a place.
Danish double bass maestro and composer Albert Reinholdt Østergaard performs with a trio of top Latvian jazz musicians, Edgars Cirulis (piano), Kaspars Kurdeko (drums) un Kārlis Auziņš (saxophone) at M/Darbnica. Thursday March 6, 20:00, tickets from 15 euros.
blues & rock
Catch quality music at a charity concert in support of Ukrainian paramedics at Vagonu halle. The lineup includes the mixed Latvian-Ukrainian choir Tavi draugi, "dark folk" band Juuk, French-Latvian punk rockers Les Spectrales and post metal ragers Tesa. Friday February 28, entry from 17:00, tickets from 15 euros.
Energetic Latvian rock trio Indygo play the final ever gig at Depo (the club is looking for new premises after the landlord wouldn't extend the lease on the legendary basement). Friday February 28, 21:00, entry 7 euros at the door.
Rock 'n' roll/rockabilly/funk outfit Vectēva papirosi play Folk Club Ala. Saturday March 1, 21:00, free entry.
Exhibitions
Be entranced by the sculptural installation and paintings in diverse materials by Pēteris Sidars in the exhibition "The Real Place in the Real Place." Riga Art Space, until March 23.
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.
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.
Tread gently through Layers, a new exhibition by 24 Baltic glass artists at Riga's Museum of Decorative Art and Design. Until May 18.
View stunning Art Deco artworks by pre war Latvia's master of the style Ludolfs Liberts at the National Art Museum of Latvia. The exhibition The Hypnotic Brilliance of Art Nouveau showcases Liberts' stunning stage designs for the national opera. Until March 16.
Discover beautiful works by 20th century master porcelain artist Ilga Vanaga at Riga Porcelain Museum. Until April 6.
Enjoy more of Ludolfs Liberts' landscapes, portraits and still lifes at the Rietumu Bank Gallery. Until March 16, free entry.
Fun and Games
Explore the joyful world of contemporary Latvian artist Diāna Adamaite in her new ehibition "Frequencies in Space" at Dubulti Art Station, Europe's only gallery in a working railway station. The show feature's Diāna's latest paintings, drawings and a wall mural, with music written by composer Kristaps Pētersons specially for Diāna's art playing in the background; hear another work by Kristaps below. Come to the exhibition opening on Friday February 28 at 17:00, and meet Diāna Adamaite and curator Inga Šteimane on Sunday March 2 at 14:00.
Food and Drink
Explore the world of made-in-Latvia beverages, from gins and home-made wines to kombuchas and ciders, at the Āgenskalns Market Drinks Fare. Sunday March 2, 9:00-17:00, free entry.
contact me
I'm a veteran tour guide in Latvia - always wearing my orange hat!
I can take you on walks around Old Riga, the city's marvellous Art Nouveau architecture, and show you all the highlights of the Latvian capital. We can enjoy a sunny stroll in Jurmala, or a daytrip to Kemeri National Park. Or come on a drive to beautiful Kurzeme or spectacular Sigulda.
Send me a message today, and see you in Latvia!
Write a comment