Festivals & events
35 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.
- New Year's Day (1 January · All regions · National) — The nationwide celebration of the new year, marked with fireworks over the Daugava River and public gatherings. Many Latvians welcome the y…
- International Ice Sculpture Festival (All February · Jelgava · Latgale) — Sculptors from around the world carve elaborate works from ice blocks in the town of Jelgava, drawing large winter crowds. The illuminated…
- Meteni (Latvian Shrovetide) (All February · Various towns · Vidzeme) — An ancient Latvian folk festival marking the turn toward spring, celebrated with sledding, masked processions and pancakes. It reflects dee…
- Riga Fashion Week (All March · Riga · Riga) — Baltic and international designers present their collections in the Latvian capital, a hub for regional fashion. It showcases emerging tale…
- Good Friday (All April · All regions · National) — A Christian public holiday observed with church services throughout the country. It marks the solemn start of the Easter weekend.
- Easter (Lieldienas) (All April · All regions · National) — Latvia celebrates Easter with egg-dyeing, swinging on large wooden swings and traditional folk songs. The public holiday blends Christian a…
- Restoration of Independence Day (4 May · All regions · National) — Commemorates the 1990 declaration restoring Latvia's independence from the Soviet Union. Celebrated with concerts, flags and open-air event…
- Labour Day (1 May · All regions · National) — A public holiday also marking the convening of the first Latvian Constitutional Assembly in 1920. It is observed with rest and family gathe…
- Rīga Museum Night (All May · Riga · Riga) — Museums across the city stay open late into the night with special exhibitions, performances and free entry. It transforms Riga into a vibr…
- Cēsis Medieval Festival (All June · Cēsis · Vidzeme) — Held at the historic Cēsis Castle, this festival brings knights, craftsmen and medieval music to life. It celebrates the town's rich Livoni…
- Līgo and Jāņi (Midsummer) (23–24 June · All regions · National) — Latvia's most beloved and ancient celebration of the summer solstice, marked with bonfires, oak wreaths, cheese, beer and all-night singing…
- Positivus Festival (All July · Salacgrīva · Gulf of Riga Coast) — The largest music festival in the Baltics, held near the seaside town of Salacgrīva with international headliners. It draws thousands of fa…
- Jūrmala Summer Season Concerts (All July · Jūrmala · Gulf of Riga Coast) — The resort town of Jūrmala hosts a series of pop and classical concerts at the Dzintari Concert Hall. The seaside setting makes it a summer…
- Sabile Wine Festival (All July · Sabile · Kurzeme) — Sabile is home to one of the world's northernmost vineyards, celebrated with tastings, music and craft stalls. The festival honors the town…
- Rīga City Festival (All August · Riga · Riga) — The capital celebrates its founding with concerts, street performances, markets and fireworks over the Daugava. The whole city becomes a st…
- Sea Festival (All August · Liepāja · Kurzeme) — Coastal towns like Liepāja and Ventspils honor fishermen and the Baltic Sea with parades, concerts and seafood. It is a lively celebration…
- Bauska Beer Festival (All August · Bauska · Zemgale) — Craft brewers gather in Bauska to showcase Latvian beer traditions alongside food and music. It celebrates the region's brewing culture in…
- Rundāle Palace Garden Festival (All August · Rundāle · Zemgale) — The baroque Rundāle Palace opens its grand gardens for a festival of flowers, music and courtly elegance. Visitors enjoy the palace's resto…
- Baltica International Folklore Festival (All July · Riga · Riga) — A rotating festival celebrating Baltic folk traditions with singers, dancers and craftspeople. When hosted in Latvia it fills streets with…
- Rēzekne Days (All August · Rēzekne · Latgale) — The cultural capital of Latgale celebrates its regional identity with concerts, folk performances and local crafts. It highlights the disti…
- Aglona Assumption Pilgrimage (15 August · Aglona · Latgale) — Tens of thousands of Catholic pilgrims travel to the Aglona Basilica for the Feast of the Assumption. It is Latvia's most important religio…
- Riga International Film Festival (All October · Riga · Riga) — The country's premier film event screens international and Baltic cinema across the capital. It attracts filmmakers, critics and cinephiles…
- Riga Marathon (All October · Riga · Riga) — Thousands of runners take to the streets of Riga in one of the Baltics' largest running events. Routes pass the capital's landmarks and cro…
- Miķeļi (Autumn Harvest Festival) (All September · Various towns · Zemgale) — An ancient Latvian harvest festival marking the autumn equinox with markets, feasts and folk rituals. It celebrates the season's bounty and…
- Staro Rīga (Festival of Light) (All November · Riga · Riga) — Artists illuminate Riga's buildings, parks and monuments with dazzling light installations. The multi-day festival transforms the dark Nove…
- Lāčplēsis Day (11 November · All regions · National) — Commemorates Latvian soldiers who fought for independence, with candles placed along the Riga Castle walls. Thousands gather in a moving pr…
- Independence Day (Proclamation of the Republic) (18 November · All regions · National) — Marks the 1918 proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, the nation's most important patriotic holiday. Celebrated with military parades, con…
- Riga Christmas Market (All December · Riga · Riga) — The Cathedral Square fills with festive stalls, mulled wine and a towering tree, reputedly where the first decorated Christmas tree stood.…
- Christmas Day (25 December · All regions · National) — A public holiday celebrated with church services, family feasts and traditional foods like grey peas and gingerbread. Latvians blend Christ…
- Ziemassvētki Winter Solstice (Ziemassvētki) (21–22 December · Various towns · Latgale) — An ancient celebration of the winter solstice with log-dragging rituals, masked processions and songs. It marks the return of the sun in th…
- New Year's Eve (31 December · All regions · Riga) — Latvians see out the year with fireworks, parties and gatherings on Riga's riverside. It is one of the liveliest nights of the year across…
- Ventspils City Festival (All August · Ventspils · Kurzeme) — The seaside city of Ventspils celebrates with concerts, cow parade sculptures and family activities along its clean beaches. It highlights…
- Dziesmu un Deju Svētki (Song and Dance Festival) (All July · Riga · Riga) — A UNESCO-recognized event held roughly every five years, gathering tens of thousands of singers and dancers in massive choirs. It is the pi…
- Sigulda Opera Music Festival (All July · Sigulda · Vidzeme) — Open-air opera performances staged among the ruins of Sigulda Castle in the scenic Gauja Valley. The dramatic setting makes it a highlight…
- Kuldīga Town Festival (All July · Kuldīga · Kurzeme) — The charming UNESCO-listed town of Kuldīga celebrates with events near Europe's widest waterfall, Ventas Rumba. Cobblestone streets host cr…