Rīga is offering a diverse program of festive events throughout the solstice and Christmas season, including concerts, traditional celebrations, and family-friendly activities.
Bluķa Vakars and Winter Solstice Traditions
On December 19th, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums), Bluķa vakars, a traditional log-pulling night, will offer an experience of winter solstice traditions. The program includes lighting a bonfire, ritual activities, dancing, singing, and a masked parade through Old Riga with folklore groups from Riga and other regions of Latvia.
Events for Families
The Riga Art Nouveau Center, located at Alberta Street 12, will host “A Christmas Fairy Tale” on December 20th at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. The event introduces children aged 3 to 10 to holiday traditions through games, songs, and stories. An exhibition, “Christmas Fairy Tale,” will be on display until January 11th, showcasing early 20th-century Christmas traditions, interiors, and decorations.
Budēļu Carnival and Concerts
M/Darbnīca, at Aristida Briāna Street 9, will host the Budēļu Carnival on December 21st from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The event will feature a Budēļu mask workshop led by textile artist Emma Sofija (€5 participation fee), a solstice feast, games, dances, and a bonfire. The program also includes a concert by the vocal ensemble “Kalmes,” log pulling, a parade in collaboration with cultural bar “Labietis” and Miera Street Republic, and a concluding concert by the group “Zāle.” Admission is free.
Concert Schedule
Ave Sol Concert Hall, located at Citadeles Street 7, will host a series of concerts during the Christmas season:
- December 17th at 7:00 p.m., concert “The Meeting” (mixed choir “Sonante”)
- December 20th at 4:00 p.m., concert “Winter Sparkles”
- December 21st at 4:00 p.m., concert “This Strange Feeling”
- December 22nd at 7:00 p.m., concert “Before Christmas”
- December 25th at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., concert “Christmas Spirit”
Additional Concerts and Performances
On December 21st at 7:00 p.m., the Small Guild (Amatu Street 5) will host the Fourth Advent concert with singer Annika Lanka. The Anglican Church of the Holy Savior will host concerts by the group “Sigma” and the youth choir “Balsis” on December 22nd and 23rd at 8:00 p.m., and on December 25th at 11:00 p.m., offering meditative and contemporary sounds.
Dixieland Music in Parks
The Dixieland band “Sunny Groove Dixie” will perform their concert program “Čiekurs Čikijs” with special surprises for young listeners in Bastejkalna Park on December 21st (3:00-3:45 p.m.) and in Līvu Square on December 24th (12:00-12:45 p.m.).
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