What's on in Riga
Festivals, markets and the holidays that close the shops across the Riga calendar — the whole year ahead, in date order. Filter it down and plan a trip around the city's rhythm.
Every date ahead
22 events
July 20265
LAMPA Conversation Festival 2026
LAMPA is Latvia's biggest public discussion festival, with around 400 events across dozens of open-air venues in Cēsis — talks, debates and interviews on social and global issues, some in English. The 2026 edition's theme is 'About what must we not talk?'.
Jūrmala Festival 2026
A week-long international classical music festival at the open-air Dzintari Concert Hall in Jūrmala, featuring chamber music, choral art, opera arias, tango and symphonic programmes. It is one of the Baltic seaside's marquee summer cultural events.
Cēsis Art Festival 2026
Cēsis Art Festival runs from 18 July to 30 August across the medieval town, with contemporary art, concerts and other cultural programming. Cēsis is about 1.5 hours from Riga by train or car.
Laima Rendezvous Jūrmala 2026
An international summer music festival at Jūrmala's Dzintari Concert Hall gathering world-famous stars and leading Latvian performers for orchestral concerts in popular and crossover styles. It is one of the seaside resort's most glamorous July events.
Sigulda Opera Music Festival 2026
The International Sigulda Opera Music Festival stages opera and classical concerts in the dramatic open-air setting of the Sigulda Castle Ruins and Castle Quarter, featuring leading Latvian and international singers. Sigulda, in the Gauja National Park, is about an hour from Riga.
August 20263
Rīgas vasara (Riga Summer) cultural programme
A month of city-run concerts and cultural events across Riga—perfect for building an easy evening plan without overthinking it.
Riga’s Birthday celebrations (Rīgas dzimšanas diena)
Riga marks its 825th anniversary with a citywide programme from 14 to 16 August, centred on 11 November Embankment and other central venues. The municipality also runs neighbourhood events throughout August.
UniCon 2026 (Latvian Comic Con)
Latvia's biggest pop-culture and fan convention — cosplay, anime, manga, K-pop, gaming, esports, comics and tabletop — fills the Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre across three days in August.
September 20265
White Night Riga 2026
Riga's contemporary-culture forum fills the city with free installations, performances, exhibitions, multimedia work and concerts from the evening of 5 September into the early hours.
Riga Food 2026
The Baltics' largest food-industry exhibition draws ~22,000 visitors to the Ķīpsala expo centre for three days of tastings, trade displays, chef demos and competitions spanning local and international cuisine.
The Rīga Conference 2026
A major Baltic-region foreign policy and security conference—worth knowing about because it brings a ‘big week’ atmosphere (and full hotels) in early September.
Rīga Pours Craft Beer Festival 2026
One of the Baltics' biggest craft-beer gatherings, with around 30 regional and world-renowned brewers pouring rare and small-batch beers for unlimited tasting in a single September session.
Michaelmas Market at Dome Square 2026
Riga's municipal calendar schedules the traditional Miķeļdiena autumn market at Dome Square on 26 September, bringing regional crafts and seasonal produce into the Old Town.
October 20261
November 20264
Lāčplēsis Day (November 11) in Riga
A significant remembrance day in Latvia. In Riga, it’s often marked with commemorations and a more reflective city mood—useful context if you’re visiting in early November.
Staro Rīga Light Festival 2026
Riga’s citywide light festival: installations and projections across central spots—perfect for crisp November nights and purposeful evening walks.
Latvia Independence Day (November 18) in Riga
Latvia’s national day. In Riga, expect a ‘city in ceremony mode’ feeling, possible commemorations, and adjusted opening hours—useful if you’re planning a November trip.
Riga Old Town Christmas Market 2026
The Old Town Christmas Market is scheduled at Dome Square from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with Latvian crafts, seasonal food and a programme in the heart of Old Riga.
December 20262
Christmas (Ziemassvētki) in Latvia
Latvia observes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the Second Day of Christmas (December 24–26) as public holidays — a midwinter celebration rooted in both Christian and older winter-solstice traditions. Riga's Christmas market and decorations run through the period.
New Year’s Eve in Riga (Jaungada vakars)
Riga's municipal calendar reserves 31 December through 1 January for New Year celebrations, while Latvian law makes 31 December a public holiday. Exact city venues and programme details should be checked once published.