Arts and Entertainment Events in Latvia
January 24-30
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
Nosh down al fresco on top local food at the Sigulda Gourmet Festival in Sigulda's Livonian Order Castle (Pils iela 18. Sigulda),.
Chefs from fine restaurants from the Gauja River region, including Kungu rija, Mr. Biskvīts and Ferma, will cook on open fires, delivering warm flavours in the January chill.
This year's festival pays tribute to raspberries, and patrons are invited to come dressed in red.
Diners will also enjoy sculptures by ice artist Kārlis Īle and music by country rockers Ducele.
Saturday January 25, 12:00-16:00. Free entry but cash only for food.
Live Music
classical
Soloists of the Baroque orchestra Collegium Musicum Riga play 18th century instrumental works at the Collegium Musicum Riga concert hall (Vaļņu iela 9-3). Friday January 24, 19:00, tickets are 10 euros.
Concert by pupils of Music Academy of Latvia Professor Juris Švolkovskis at Riga Latvian Society House (Mērķeļa iela 13). Saturday January 25, 17:00, entry by donation.
Gunta Gelgote (soprano), Aija Kuzmane (piano) and Kārlis Rērihs (French horn) perform works by Schubert in St. Peter's Church. Thursday January 30, 18:00, free entry.
jazz & folk
Strum over to folk jam night at Folk Club Ala (Peldu iela 19). Friday January 24, 21:00, free entry.
blues & rock
The Anastasia Bagrade Band brings pop, blues, funk and French vibes to Blues House (J.Alunāna 2). Friday January 24, 21:00, tickets at the door 20 euros. The same venue has an open mic night every Thursday at 19:00, free entry.
Country star and "whiskey salesman" Andis Retējums plays a late show at Distillers Republic (Vecpilsētas iela 8a). Friday January 25, 22:00, free entry.
Exhibitions
Admire late 19th and early 20th century art and icons by various artists at the open day of the private museum Nellija (Dzelzceļa iela 16, Asari). Saturday January 24, 12:00-18:00, free entry.
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 (Kungu iela 3), January 23-March 23.
Be astonished as colour maestro Aleksejs Naumovs captures the mood of Venice, Paris, Riga and other cities in the exhibition "Birthday." Gallery Daugava (Ausekļa iela 1), until February 15.
Admire the magnificent 16th century tryptic altarpiece "The Holy Family with a Musical Angel, Saint Catherine and Saint Barbara" at the Museum of Foreign Art (Doma laukums 6). On loan from Madrid's Prado Museum. Until March 1.
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 (Lāčplēša iela 101), January 24-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.
View rare landscapes, portraits and still lifes from the Latvian collection of Malmo Art Museum. The works were gifted to the Swedes in 1939. At the National Art Museum of Latvia (Jana Rozentāla laukums 1). Until February 23.
Peruse journalist Ilona Jahimoviča's collection of antique mirrors, graphics and postcards at the Riga Art Nouveau Centre (Alberta iela 12), Until February 23.
Enjoy stunning Art Deco artworks by pre war Latvia's master of the style Ludolfs Liberts at the National Art Museum of Latvia (Jaņa Rozentāla laukums 1). The exhibition The Hypnotic Brilliance of Art Nouveau showcases Liberts' stunning stage designs for the national opera. Until March 16.
History
A new attraction on Riga's northern outskirts offers a gritty glimpse into Cold War paranoia.
This fallout shelter in industrial Vecmīlgrāvis was originally built in the late 1960s in anticipation of Armageddon. It was intended to serve as a command post for the evacuation of the nearby strategic shipyard, accommodating 39 marine experts and KGB agents.
The bunker is located across the road from Augusta Dombrovska iela 2. Currently it is open one day every weekend from 12:00 to 17:00, including Saturday January 18. Tickets cost 8 euros per adult including a guided tour in Latvian or Russian. Tours in English can be arranged with prior booking. More information on their Facebook page.
Films
Latvians purr as the ground breaking animation movie Flow continues picking up international awards. The Golden Globe recently won by the feline flick is on display at the National Art Museum of Latvia until January 28. Go with the Flow at Splendid Palace and Forum Cinemas.
Food and Drink
From the wine to the mountains, Latvians have a longstanding love affair with the Caucuses. And grilled meat skewers are such a staple at barbecues that shashlik has become part of the national cuisine.
Dubbing itself as a "contemporary shashlik restaurant," Iesmi Bistro (Blaumaņa iela 9) takes the relationship to new heights. This recent central Riga project by celebrity chef Mārtiņš Sirmais grills skewers from a slew of cultures with mouth-watering results. Order at the counter then watch the chef in the open kitchen conjure up your art on a plate. The Chicken Trio delivers Indian curry, Japanese yakitori and a mild Latvian marinade with an array of fries, dips, vegies ad even a bowl of miso soup for 14.95 euros, great value for a spread that could easily feed two.
Though we still found room for a yummy pistachio-vanilla cream (2.05 euros) and a cherry plum-ginger soda from Kuldīga brewhouse Duna, one of a wide selection of local craft beers, ciders and soft drinks.
contact me
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