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Events and festivals in Latvia: 2026-2027 guide
Latvia has a dependable annual rhythm: indoor culture in winter, public celebrations in May, Midsummer in June, city festivals in summer, and film, theatre and concert seasons in autumn.
This guide separates recurring anchor events from confirmed 2026 dates and live official calendars. The confirmed list was checked on 27 July 2026; organisers and venues remain the final source for times, tickets, access and changes.
- Next major event weekend
- 31 July-2 August 2026
- Main Riga Birthday date
- 15 August 2026
- Autumn festival window
- September-October
- Winter 2027 anchors
- Opera, concerts and Sigulda luge
- Next Song and Dance Celebration
- 30 June-9 July 2028
This guide is independently written and checked against official organiser, municipal, venue, federation and public-law sources.
Recheck the live event page
The dated shortlist was reviewed on 27 July 2026. Confirm the programme, venue, ticket status, access rules, transport and any late changes with the organiser before travel.
Three layers for planning
Start with the annual pattern to choose a month. Use the dated list to identify a real 2026 or early 2027 anchor. Before paying, open the organiser or venue calendar again because a festival name can stay the same while its venue, timetable and ticket rules change.
Layer 1
Recurring anchor events
Stable annual periods such as Easter, 4 May, Midsummer, summer city festivals, the autumn performance season and Christmas markets.
Layer 2
Confirmed 2026 and 2027 dates
A curated snapshot of dates already published by organisers, municipalities, venues or sports federations.
Layer 3
Official live calendars
The final check for the exact programme, start time, venue, ticket status and late changes.
Sources: Riga Culture Department: major events in 2026 , LiveRiga: current events , Riga City Council: events
1. Recurring anchor events through the year
These are useful planning anchors rather than a promise that every event will return on the same weekend. Fixed public holidays are set by law. Festivals, markets and sports organisers publish each edition separately.
| Period | Recurring anchors | Best base | Planning effect | Final check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January-February | Opera, ballet, symphonic concerts, theatre and international sliding sport in Sigulda when scheduled | Riga or Sigulda | Strong indoor programme; winter-sport weekends can tighten rooms in Sigulda | Venue and federation calendars |
| March-April | Easter services, family programmes, seasonal markets and changing museum hours | Riga or a regional city | Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are public holidays | Municipality, church and attraction pages |
| May | 1 May, 4 May public celebrations, Museum Night programmes and the Riga Marathon period | Riga | Street events, closures and race routes can affect the centre | Riga municipality and organiser pages |
| June | Riga Opera Festival, regional city festivals, Līgo and Jāņi on 23-24 June | Riga plus one regional base | Midsummer changes normal transport, shopping and attraction patterns | Municipality, venue and transport pages |
| July-August | Music festivals, coastal events, regional city festivals and Riga Birthday | Liepāja, Ventspils, Rēzekne or Riga | Popular weekends can create local accommodation pressure | Festival and city calendars |
| September-October | Homo Novus, White Night, film festivals and the return of theatre, opera and concert seasons | Riga | Several programmes can overlap; some venues sell out by performance | Organiser and venue calendars |
| November | Lāčplēsis Day on 11 November and National Day on 18 November | Riga or a regional city | Public ceremonies, concerts and traffic arrangements vary by city | Municipal programme |
| Late November-early January | Christmas markets, Advent concerts and New Year programmes | Riga | Weekend rooms and central restaurants can be busier; 24-26 December and 31 December are public holidays | Market, venue and attraction pages |
Sources: Likumi.lv: public holidays, commemoration days and celebration days , Riga Culture Department: major events in 2026 , Latvian National Opera and Ballet: season calendar , International Luge Federation: 2026-2027 calendar
January and February 2027: confirmed winter programmes
Winter does not require waiting for a last-minute city calendar. The Latvian National Opera, LNSO, Latvijas Koncerti and International Luge Federation already publish forward schedules. The examples below are confirmed planning anchors, not a complete programme.
| Date | Event | Place | Why plan around it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-10 January | FIL Luge World Cup event period; races listed for 9-10 January | Sigulda | A rare international outdoor winter-sport anchor; check the final spectator timetable |
| 6-31 January | Latvian National Opera and Ballet repertoire | Riga | Published performances include Dracula, Carmen, The Birds' Opera, Macbeth, La bohème and The Sleeping Beauty |
| 22 January | LNSO and PĒRKONS programme | Riga Congress Hall | A published orchestral programme with daytime and evening performances |
| 30 January | Sinfonietta Rīga and Olari Elts | University of Latvia Great Hall, Riga | A fixed Saturday evening concert for a winter city break |
| 13 February | Sinfonietta Rīga and Adrien Perruchon | University of Latvia Great Hall, Riga | A confirmed orchestral programme in the February calendar |
| 20 February | LNSO family concert LeneSOn celebrates love | Riga Congress Hall | A published family concert that suits an indoor weekend plan |
Sources: Latvian National Opera and Ballet: season calendar , Latvian National Symphony Orchestra: calendar , Latvijas Koncerti: calendar , International Luge Federation: 2026-2027 calendar
Easter and May public events
Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are public holidays, but Easter moves each year. Churches, open-air museums, markets and municipalities publish separate programmes, and attraction hours can differ across the holiday weekend.
May has two fixed public dates close together: 1 May and the Restoration of Independence celebration on 4 May. The latter commonly brings civic ceremonies, concerts and White Tablecloth gatherings. Museum Night and the Riga Marathon are strong May planning anchors, but their dates must be checked for the year of travel.
For an Easter trip
Confirm the exact year's dates, church access, attraction hours and intercity timetable before fixing day trips.
For 4 May
Use the municipal programme for concerts, ceremonies, street arrangements and any free museum access.
For May 2027
The Rimi Riga Marathon is confirmed for 15-16 May 2027; central routes and accommodation will need an early check.
Sources: Likumi.lv: public holidays, commemoration days and celebration days , Riga Culture Department: major events in 2026 , Ministry of Culture: Museum Night , Rimi Riga Marathon 2027
Jāņi and Līgo: the fixed Midsummer anchor
Līgo Day on 23 June and Jāņi Day on 24 June are public holidays and the most important fixed dates in Latvia's traditional summer calendar. Public celebrations can include markets, wreath making, songs, fires and dancing, while many people leave the cities for family or countryside gatherings.
Treat 23-24 June as a different operating pattern, not an ordinary sightseeing break. Shops, museums, food service and public transport can run reduced or special hours. Rural, coastal and lake accommodation can fill earlier than an ordinary June week.
Choose the celebration first
Build the route around one published municipal or venue programme rather than expecting spontaneous public access everywhere.
Protect the return journey
Check the final bus or train and do not assume a late-night regional connection.
Plan food and opening hours
Buy essentials before the holiday and verify each attraction directly.
Sources: Likumi.lv: public holidays, commemoration days and celebration days , Riga Culture Department: major events in 2026
Riga Birthday and regional city festivals
City festivals are not interchangeable. Riga spreads its birthday programme across August, while regional festivals often concentrate parades, markets, concerts and family events into one weekend. That concentration is exactly why a city festival can be a good route anchor and an accommodation risk.
Riga
Riga Birthday
The 2026 anniversary programme runs through August, with the main celebration on 15 August and additional theatre, sport and waterfront events on other weekends.
Latgale
Daugavpils City Festival
The 2026 edition ran 5-7 June. Use the city calendar for the next edition rather than assuming the same dates.
Kurzeme
Ventspils City Festival
The 2026 edition runs 31 July-2 August, with its main festival day on 1 August.
Latgale
Rēzekne City Festival
The 2026 edition runs 31 July-2 August, overlapping with major events in Ventspils and Liepāja.
Sources: Riga City Council: Riga 825 anniversary programme , Daugavpils City Festival 2026 , Ventspils City Festival 2026 , Rēzekne City Festival 2026
Major music, theatre and film festivals
Use these as examples of established anchors, not as a complete festival ranking. Each organiser controls the edition dates, programme, language information, admission and accessibility details.
Music
Summer Sound
A large ticketed music festival on the Liepāja coast. The 2026 edition is confirmed for 31 July-1 August.
Opera and ballet
Riga Opera Festival
The Latvian National Opera's June festival closes the main season with new productions, repertoire performances and a gala.
Contemporary theatre
Homo Novus
The 2026 festival runs 4-12 September in Riga and regional locations; the full programme is released by the organiser.
Film
Riga International Film Festival
RIGA IFF is confirmed for 15-25 October 2026, with screenings and industry events published through the festival site.
Sources: Summer Sound Festival , Latvian National Opera: Riga Opera Festival , Homo Novus 2026 , Riga International Film Festival 2026
Opera, theatre and concert seasons
The strongest indoor performance period runs from early autumn through spring. The Latvian National Opera and Ballet, LNSO and Latvijas Koncerti publish schedules well ahead, making them more dependable winter anchors than a generic events listing.
Theatre language and surtitles vary by production. Check the performance page, not only the venue name. For concerts, confirm the hall because orchestras and ensembles can appear at several Riga venues or travel to regional concert halls.
Opera and ballet
Use the production page for cast, running time, interval, surtitles and age guidance.
Symphonic and chamber music
Compare the LNSO and Latvijas Koncerti calendars, then confirm the exact hall and seat plan.
Theatre
Look for language and surtitles before buying; do not assume an international title means an English-language performance.
Sources: Latvian National Opera and Ballet: season calendar , Latvian National Symphony Orchestra: calendar , Latvijas Koncerti: calendar
Sporting fixtures worth planning around
Sports calendars are especially date-sensitive because kickoff times, arenas and competition rounds can change. Use the federation or organiser calendar after selecting a fixture.
Running
Rimi Riga Marathon
The 2027 race weekend is confirmed for 15-16 May. Expect central road closures and unusually high participant demand.
Winter sport
Luge World Cup in Sigulda
The international calendar lists 4-10 January 2027 as the event period, with races on 9-10 January.
Football
League and national-team fixtures
Use the Latvian Football Federation calendar for the latest date, venue and competition status.
Ice hockey
Club and national fixtures
Use the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation calendar and the named arena before building an evening around a match.
Sources: Rimi Riga Marathon 2027 , International Luge Federation: 2026-2027 calendar , Latvian Football Federation: 2026 events , Latvian Ice Hockey Federation: fixture calendar
The Song and Dance Celebration cycle
The Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Celebration is not an annual festival. Latvian law sets the general celebration on a five-year cycle, and the next edition is confirmed for 30 June-9 July 2028 in Riga.
This is a long-lead planning event. Accommodation, major performance tickets and transport around the largest venues will require much earlier preparation than an ordinary summer visit. Regional choir and dance events continue between national editions, but they should not be presented as the main Celebration.
Next national edition
30 June-9 July 2028.
What to watch for
Official programme, ticket sales, venue access and participant transport arrangements.
Why it matters early
The event gathers large numbers of performers and spectators in Riga over several days.
Sources: Latvian National Centre for Culture: 2028 Song and Dance Celebration , Likumi.lv: public holidays, commemoration days and celebration days
2. Confirmed 2026 events
This is a curated forward-looking list checked on 27 July 2026. It is not a replacement for the live feeds below. An organiser may add programme details, change a venue or update admission rules after this review.
| Date | Event | Location | Status at review | Planning note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 July-1 August | Summer Sound | Liepāja | Dates and programme published | Major ticketed coastal festival; search accommodation before committing |
| 31 July-2 August | Ventspils City Festival | Ventspils | Municipal programme published | Main day is 1 August; expect concentrated activity around the centre and promenade |
| 31 July-2 August | Rēzekne City Festival | Rēzekne | City visitor programme published | Parade, concerts and family programme across the weekend |
| 1-31 August; main day 15 August | Riga Summer and 825th Birthday | Riga | Month programme and main dates published | Several August weekends have separate theatre, sport and public events |
| 4-12 September | Homo Novus | Riga and regional locations | Dates and first programme published | Full programme announced in August; check each location and access note |
| 5 September | White Night 2026 | Riga | Date confirmed by Riga municipality | Contemporary culture programme; wait for the location schedule before routing the night |
| 15-25 October | Riga International Film Festival | Riga | Dates and ticket information published | Check screening language, subtitles and the exact cinema |
| 27 November-3 January 2027 | Riga Christmas Market | Dome Square, Riga | Dates and opening pattern published | Holiday-day hours differ; central weekends can be busier |
Sources: Summer Sound Festival , Ventspils City Festival 2026 , Rēzekne City Festival 2026 , Riga City Council: Riga 825 anniversary programme , Homo Novus 2026 , Riga Culture Department: major events in 2026 , Riga International Film Festival 2026 , LiveRiga: Riga Christmas Market 2026
Events that create accommodation pressure
Pressure is local, not nationwide. A festival can reduce choice in one city while another region remains normal. Search the exact nights before arranging transport, especially when several events share a weekend.
The 31 July-2 August 2026 weekend is a clear example: Summer Sound in Liepāja overlaps the Ventspils and Rēzekne city festivals. Moving between them is not a sensible substitute for booking late in the city you actually want.
Book earliest
Song and Dance Celebration dates, the Riga Marathon, major coastal music festivals and regional city-festival weekends.
Check before a day trip
The final bus or train after an evening programme, road closures and parking restrictions.
Keep the right cancellation terms
A flexible room is useful when the detailed programme or venue has not yet been released.
Compare current stays
Search the exact location and nights after choosing the event.
Open guideSources: Summer Sound Festival , Ventspils City Festival 2026 , Rēzekne City Festival 2026 , Riga City Council: Riga 825 anniversary programme , Rimi Riga Marathon 2027 , Latvian National Centre for Culture: 2028 Song and Dance Celebration
3. Official live calendars
Use these live pages as the final source. City calendars are best for public programmes and traffic-sensitive events. Venue and federation calendars are better for ticketed performances and fixtures.
LiveRiga events
Filter current Riga listings by date and event type.
Best forConcerts, festivals, exhibitions, sport and markets
Open the LiveRiga calendarRiga City Council events
Check civic celebrations, public programmes and location-specific notices.
Best forPublic holidays, city celebrations and municipal culture
Open the Riga calendarLatvian National Opera schedule
Search the season by month and production type.
Best forOpera, ballet, concerts and family performances
Open the Opera scheduleLNSO and Latvijas Koncerti
Compare orchestral, chamber, choral and family programmes, then confirm the venue.
Best forForward-planned indoor culture
Open the concert calendarDaugavpils events
The city calendar is updated with culture, family and sports listings.
Best forLatgale city stays and Fortress-area events
Open the Daugavpils calendarVentspils events
Use the municipal calendar for festival programmes and current city listings.
Best forCoastal weekends and city-festival dates
Open the Ventspils calendarLatvian Football Federation
Confirm the competition, date, kickoff time and stadium.
Best forLeague, cup and national-team fixtures
Open the football calendarLatvian Ice Hockey Federation
Search the current fixture calendar by date, tournament and arena.
Best forClub and national-team matches
Open the hockey calendarSources: LiveRiga: current events , Riga City Council: events , Latvian National Opera and Ballet: season calendar , Latvian National Symphony Orchestra: calendar , Latvijas Koncerti: calendar , Daugavpils: live events calendar , Ventspils: live events calendar , Latvian Football Federation: 2026 events , Latvian Ice Hockey Federation: fixture calendar
Before building the trip around an event
A confirmed festival date is only the first check. Open the individual event or performance page and verify the practical details that affect the rest of the day.
Date and venue
Confirm the year, exact address, entrance and whether the venue changed after the first announcement.
Tickets and admission
Check whether entry is free, timed, seated, standing or sold through an authorised ticket page.
Language and access
Verify performance language, subtitles, age limits, bag rules and step-free access.
Finish and return
Check running time, road closures and the last realistic public-transport connection.
Weather plan
For outdoor events, read cancellation, re-entry and shelter information rather than relying on a generic forecast.
Sources: LiveRiga: current events , Riga City Council: events , Latvian National Opera and Ballet: season calendar
Frequently asked questions
What is Latvia's biggest traditional annual celebration?
Jāņi and Līgo on 23 and 24 June are the most important fixed traditional summer dates. Public programmes vary by city and venue, while many celebrations are private or rural.
When is Riga City Festival in 2026?
Riga's 825th birthday programme runs through August 2026. The main Riga Birthday celebration is on 15 August, with additional events on other August weekends.
What major events are confirmed for late 2026?
Confirmed anchors include Summer Sound, the Ventspils and Rēzekne city festivals, Riga Birthday, Homo Novus, White Night, RIGA IFF and the Riga Christmas Market. Recheck the organiser page before booking.
Are there events in Latvia in January and February 2027?
Yes. Opera, ballet, orchestral and family concert programmes are already published, and Sigulda is listed for a Luge World Cup event period from 4 to 10 January 2027.
When is the next Latvian Song and Dance Celebration?
The next Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Celebration is confirmed for 30 June to 9 July 2028 in Riga. It is a five-year-cycle event, not an annual festival.
When is the Riga Christmas Market in 2026?
LiveRiga lists the Dome Square market from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Opening hours differ on public holidays, so check the live market page for the day you plan to visit.
Which events should be booked earliest?
Prioritise accommodation for the Song and Dance Celebration, Riga Marathon, major coastal music festivals and regional city-festival weekends. Buy limited-capacity performance tickets after verifying the exact production and venue.
Where should I check last-minute event changes?
Use the organiser, venue, municipality or sports federation page. LiveRiga is useful for discovery in the capital, but the individual event page remains the final source.
Sources: Likumi.lv: public holidays, commemoration days and celebration days , Riga City Council: Riga 825 anniversary programme , LiveRiga: current events , Latvian National Centre for Culture: 2028 Song and Dance Celebration , LiveRiga: Riga Christmas Market 2026 , International Luge Federation: 2026-2027 calendar
Check the primary information
Official sources and review information
This guide was last reviewed on 27 July 2026. Official public-law and municipal sources support the annual framework. Organiser, venue and sports-federation pages support the confirmed dates and live planning links.
Annual framework and public dates
Likumi.lv: public holidays, commemoration days and celebration days
Official law defining Easter holidays, 1 and 4 May, Līgo, Jāņi, National Day and the Song and Dance Celebration cycle.
Riga Culture Department: major events in 2026
Official municipal date list for Easter, May, Midsummer, Riga Summer, White Night, Lāčplēsis Day and National Day programmes.
Live official calendars
LiveRiga: current events
Live official visitor feed for current Riga festivals, concerts, sport, markets and exhibitions.
Riga City Council: events
Official municipal calendar for civic celebrations and public events in Riga.
Confirmed 2026 events
Riga City Council: Riga 825 anniversary programme
Official August 2026 programme and confirmation of the main Riga Birthday celebration on 15 August.
Summer Sound Festival
Official dates, location, programme and ticket information for the 2026 Liepāja festival.
Ventspils City Festival 2026
Official municipal confirmation of the 31 July to 2 August festival period and main day.
Rēzekne City Festival 2026
Official city visitor page for the 31 July to 2 August festival programme.
Regional city festivals
Daugavpils City Festival 2026
Official city record of the 5 to 7 June 2026 festival and programme.
Confirmed 2026 events
Homo Novus 2026
Official dates and programme-release information for the 4 to 12 September contemporary theatre festival.
Riga International Film Festival 2026
Official 15 to 25 October 2026 festival dates, programme and visitor information.
LiveRiga: Riga Christmas Market 2026
Official Dome Square market dates from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 and published holiday opening hours.
Performance seasons
Latvian National Opera: Riga Opera Festival
Official description and 2026 programme for the established June opera and ballet festival.
Latvian National Opera and Ballet: season calendar
Official monthly performance calendar, including published January and February 2027 opera and ballet dates.
Latvian National Symphony Orchestra: calendar
Official LNSO programme, including published January and February 2027 concerts.
Latvijas Koncerti: calendar
Official concert calendar with forward dates for Sinfonietta Rīga and other national ensembles.
Sporting fixtures
Rimi Riga Marathon 2027
Official confirmation of the 15 and 16 May 2027 race weekend and registration information.
Annual framework and public dates
Ministry of Culture: Museum Night
Official confirmation that Museum Night is an annual May programme across Latvia and details of the 2026 edition.
Sporting fixtures
International Luge Federation: 2026-2027 calendar
Official confirmation of the 4 to 10 January 2027 Sigulda event period and World Cup race dates.
Latvian Football Federation: 2026 events
Official national and club football date list for 2026.
Latvian Ice Hockey Federation: fixture calendar
Official searchable calendar by date, tournament and arena.
Song and Dance Celebration
Latvian National Centre for Culture: 2028 Song and Dance Celebration
Official confirmation of the next national celebration from 30 June to 9 July 2028 and its five-year cycle.
Live official calendars
Daugavpils: live events calendar
Official live city listings for culture, family and sports events.
Ventspils: live events calendar
Official municipal calendar for current city and festival events.
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