Arts and Entertainment Events in Latvia
April 4-10
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.
Highlight of the Week
Spread your wings for the Spring Bird Days!
Across Latvia, excursions, art shows and other events will be held this weekend to celebrate and learn about our feathered friends.
Enjoy a birdwatching excursion in Ķemeri National Park, a chance to spot woodpeckers, various songbirds and Latvia's Bird of the Year for 2025, the common starling. Saturday April 5, 10:30-13:00, meet at Ķemeri Railway Station, free of charge, more info and reservations.
Join biologist Viesturs Vintulis at the Lake Kaņieris observation tower. Sunday April 6, 10:00-14:00, free of charge, bring binoculars.
Explore a virtual bird trail near Ķemeri National Park Nature Centre. April 5 & 6, 10:00-17:00, free of charge, bring a connected smart device.
There's another birdwatching walk in the National Botanical Gardens in Salaspils. Saturday April 5, 10:00-12:00, free of charge, bring binoculars more info and reservations.
At the Līgatne Nature Trails, learn all about owls with veterinarian Arno Klevinskis, get crafty at a birdhouse making workshop and discover the calls of various birds at an audio demonstration. Saturday April 5, 11:00-14:00, included in price of entry.
Enjoy a sunny stroll in Jurmala, a daytrip to Kemeri National Park, a drive to beautiful Kurzeme or a tour to spectacular Sigulda.
Live Music
classical
Choirs from 12 countries perform in the Third Choir Competition Rīga Dzied, seeking to win a prize named in honour of legendary choir conductor Imants Kokars. Held in Ave Sol concert hall, Mary Magdalene Church and the Small Guild. April 3-7, free entry to all events, programme here.
Maestro Ruta Kaprāne plays Bach on the grand organ in Riga Cathedral. Friday April 4, 19:00, tickets from 15 euros.
Women's choir Balta and soloists perform "My Prayer,"the premier of a six-part sacral work by composer Rihards Zaļupe. Riga Cathedral, Sunday April 6, 19:00, tickets from 10 euros.
jazz & folk
An international big band composed of student orchestras from Siena, Ferrara, Barcelona and Hamburg perform works by six Latvian jazz composers in Ethno Jazz Vol. 7. Part of the contemporary music festival Decibels. Music Academy of Latvia, Friday April 4, 19:00, tickets are 10 euros.
Ecuadorian jazz-folk masters Pies en la Tierra get down at M/Darbnīca on their 20th anniversary European tour. Saturday April 5, 19:00, tickets for 15-20 euros.
blues & rock
Guitarist Jānis Bukovskis (the bald dude in the video) plays "One man Blues," a concert of his own compositions and blues classics from the Delta to Chicago. At Masa gallery and culture bar, Friday April 4, 20:00, tickets are 10 euros.
Blast off with Billy B and His Sonic Rockets at Folk Club Ala. Saturday April 5, free entry.
Instrumental group Cita dimensija play funk and jazz-rock at Masa. Saturday April 5, 20:00, tickets are 10 euros.
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.
Exhibitions
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.
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.
Discover beautiful works by 20th century master porcelain artist Ilga Vanaga at Riga Porcelain Museum. Until April 6.
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Theatre
NN Theatre company from Lublin, Poland, stages the performance "Tales from the Gate" at the Museum "Jews in Latvia." Based on stories by Isaac Bashevis Singer and Jewish folklore, the troupe tells stories in music and words from the landmark Grodzka Gate in Lublin. Sunday April 6, 18:00, free entry. In Polish with translation into Latvian and English.
Films
Grab your popcorn for the 29th 2 Annas Short Film Festival. April 4-10, programme and tickets. A highlight of 2 Annas will be "A Wall is a Screen," a walking tour of Riga with stops at seven "screens" in the urban landscape where short films will be played. Meet at the National Art Museum of Latvia on Wednesday April 9, 21:00, more information.
Food and Drink
Get lucky and healthy with Healthy Speed Dating. To mark World Health Day, a dozen experts from Riga Stradiņš University will be on hand on the 2nd floor of Āgenskalns Market to answer all your questions about keeping well. There will also be a market with healthy and super foods all day. Sunday April 6, 11:00-15:00
Gobble down great value gourmet treats during Spring Riga Restaurant Week (actually a fortnight). Over 50 top eateries are offering set three-course menus for 30, 35, 40 or 45 euros. Indulge in Rye sandwich with slow-cooked catfish and dill mayonnaise at Barents Cocktail and Seafood Bar, Veal cheeks cooked in red wine at B-Bārs, and Baked rhubarb cheesecake at Cafe Annas dārzs. March 31-April 13, more information.
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