The most interesting events in Latvia in 2026
Every year, events are held in Latvia that attract local and foreign visitors alike, offering unique opportunities to enjoy varied musical genres, unforgettable performances and heartfelt seasonal events that will tempt you to visit our country.
Are you ready to discover new talents, experience magnificent shows and meet people who are fascinated by all things creative and interesting, all while combining it with getting to know charming Latvia? Enter this colourful whirlwind of sensations, where each event promises to leave a lasting impression, from Church Night to the Riga Marathon.
In 2026, you can visit Latvia in all seasons, but the best time is the one that matches your preferences. Spring and early autumn are a great time for those who want to enjoy culture, architecture and long walks without the hustle and bustle of summer. In addition, annual events such as the Night of Museums and the biggest concerts and theatre productions often take place during this time, which allows you to combine the cultural and historical setting with new content in one trip. The long, bright evenings of summer enhance festivals and city celebrations and make them last longer. Be sure not to miss the Midsummer celebration, open-air concerts by the sea and various music festivals throughout Latvia. In late autumn and winter, a different Latvia is revealed – festive, peaceful and rich with nationally significant holidays and illuminated sights. Annual film festivals, literary events and national holiday concerts are especially popular during this time. It is the change of seasons, together with annual events, that tempts you to return to Latvia again.
In this article, you will find information about interesting annual events in Latvia, about cultural destinations, and about the largest festivals that often become the main reason for your trip.
Start planning your trip right now – find an event you like in Latvia, choose the sights, book a hotel, buy a ticket with our national airline airBaltic for a direct flight to Riga and get ready for an unforgettable trip!
Latvian cities with a wide range of cultural events
Riga is the destination with the widest range of cultural events. Here, you can combine performances, cinema and contemporary cultural events with exploring the Old Town and Art Nouveau architecture in one trip. The Riga Opera Festival stands out in particular, which usually takes place in June and offers the opportunity to enjoy top-class opera and ballet performances and world-famous performers. For film lovers, a good spring travel destination is the short film festival 2ANNAS, which usually takes place in April and offers bold, high-quality cinema. If you want something creative, then the contemporary art forum White Night 2026 offers a one-night programme in September with urban installations, performances, exhibitions, multimedia projects and concerts at various venues in Riga. Cinema lovers are also welcome in the autumn season – the Riga International Film Festival will offer a selected European and world auteur cinema programme, premieres, special thematic selections and talks with filmmakers after screenings at the end of October.
Liepāja is an attractive cultural destination on the Baltic Sea – concert life, theatre and exhibitions take place here in one place, and the city’s rock music tradition is felt in the programmes and atmosphere offered. At the very beginning of the year, there is the Liepāja International Star Festival – a cycle of classical music concerts with the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra and guest artists. The concerts, which take place over several days, allow you to experience symphony. The repertoire of the city’s theatre and the exhibitions of the Liepāja Museum can help you get deeper into the cultural life of Liepāja.
Cēsis is one of the Latvian cities rich in history and cultural monuments. It offers diverse opportunities for active recreation and cultural events. Every spring, at the end of April, the Cēsis concert hall invites you to the Pēters Vasks Music Festival, which has become an important event in the life of Latvian music. This is a special year – Pēters Vasks celebrates his 80th birthday in April. In July 2026, the Lampa Conversation Festival will take place in Cēsis with discussions, interviews and talks in several open-air venues, including on current and global topics in English. In turn, in nearby Sigulda, opera lovers will be invited to the International Sigulda Opera Festival, which will take place on the Sigulda Castle Ruins Stage and attract world-famous artists.
Jūrmala is not only a popular resort, but also known as the capital of Latvian summer music life. The Amber Concert Hall, which in itself is an architectural gem with a historic indoor hall and a modern open-air stage, is becoming a destination for many world-class music events. The Jūrmala Festival has become a tradition of good music, annually bringing together outstanding Latvian and foreign artists. The special event of this festival is the Sunrise Concert on the beach. This summer, you will also be able to enjoy a piano music festival with the outstanding pianists of the Osokin family – The Three Osokins. The most beautiful repertoire of piano music and masterpieces of classical music in original arrangements for two and even three pianos are to be heard here. Every year, the international ballet festival Ballet Stars in Jūrmala is held in Jūrmala, where spectators can enjoy the performance of world-famous ballet soloists in the open air. In turn, at the end of the summer, a project of the Inese Galante Foundation – the festival Baltic Awards is held. The goal of these concerts is to attract a diverse audience without compromising on high standards and elegance.
City festivals – the key to versatile recreation
City festivals usually feature a diverse and exciting entertainment programme, from concerts to artisan fairs and sports competitions. In Riga, events are expected throughout August not only in Old Riga, but also on the 11th of November embankment and in parks, as the capital city celebrates its 825th birthday this year.
Jelgava is famous for its Ice Sculpture Festival in February and the Sand Sculpture Festival in May, thus ringing in the Jelgava City Festival. Along with this, there are usually concerts, fairs and various sports activities and, of course, a festive procession. In Daugavpils, the city festival is usually in June, and celebrations take place in various parts of the city for a week with fairs, activities for children and concerts. Be sure to visit the Rothko Museum – one of Eastern Europe’s most ambitious cultural projects of the 21st century, located in the Daugavpils Fortress complex. In Valmiera and Cēsis, the city festivals are usually held in July, and they are significant events for the immediate and distant surroundings with a diverse programme. In the summer, you should go to Kuldīga, where the Old Town Festival events allow you to feel the ancient aura of the UNESCO heritage site – the historical centre of Kuldīga. But in Ventspils, the city festivals are usually held in early August, and visitors are delighted with countless concerts, creative workshops, a festive procession and even fireworks.
Traditionally significant holidays and events
In Latvia, the travel experience is certainly enriched by holidays in which the whole society is involved, as they create a sense of community. Easter plays a special role in spring, which in Latvia is usually a bright, peaceful and harmonious holiday with traditional swinging, egg painting and spring markets. This time is definitely worth combining with cultural offerings in churches, leisurely visits to museums, walking nature trails and exploring cities.
Midsummer’s Eve and Jāņi, celebrated on June 23 and 24, are a special event of the summer – celebrating the solstice with a bonfire, songs and wreaths. For every traveller, these holidays are a great way to feel the Latvian culture and spirit, but it should be taken into account that during this time locals holiday outside the cities, so rural accommodation is booked well in advance, and traffic on the highways increases.
Autumn is the time for Latvian holidays. November 11 – Lāčplēša Day – the day of remembrance of Latvian heroes, when national unity is especially felt. In the evening hours, candles are lit in many places, commemorating those who fell for Latvia. November 18 – the Day of the Proclamation of the Republic of Latvia – is a solemn and emotional time, when city centres become livelier and festive concerts and military parades are held in many places. Riga also hosts the Staro Rīga light festival at this time, which fills the city with radiant evening walking routes.
Christmas is usually a peaceful holiday, where travel is more about good cheer, family and enjoying the silence. This time is complemented by various concerts, as well as the famous Old Riga Christmas Market.
Outdoor music for summer lovers
Summer in Latvia is unimaginable without outdoor music. One of the most popular music festivals is Summer Sound. It has become the largest festival in Latvia and one of the most important summer outdoor events in the Baltics. Over the course of two days, festival visitors can enjoy concerts by more than 70 local and international artists, participate in various attractions and shows, as well as relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. The music festival Positivus should also be mentioned, attracting thousands of visitors every year, bringing together world-renowned artists and new, lesser-known music stars. Jazz lovers, meanwhile, are invited to the Saulkrasti jazz festival Saulkrasti Jazz, which has been held in Saulkrasti since 1997 and has gained wide recognition and popularity both in Latvia and abroad.
Operetta also has a special significance in Latvian culture, which is why every summer lovers of this genre gather in Ikšķile for the Operetta Festival, where listeners are offered an unforgettable experience of operetta, musicals, opera, chamber music and jazz.
