Riga

Arena Riga

An indoor sports arena and concert venue. Notable as the home rink of the city's ice hockey team Dinamo Riga, playing in the KHL, the arena is also where the world's greatest pop and rock artists and bands hold their Riga concerts.

Bastion Hill

A small, pleasant park surrounding Brivibas Bulvaris. Sites in the Bastejkalns include a Chinese and a Japanese building, and the Bridge of Love over the Pilsetas Canal. The Bridge of Love has several locks on the railings put up by recently married couples. There is also a memorial to the two people killed here in the tumultuous events of 1991.

Esplanade Park

Designed by Georg Kuphaldt, who was expelled by Germany in 1915 as a spy because he had a telescope in his garden.

Koncertzāle Ave Sol

Ave Sol Concert Hall

Hosts the renowned choral ensemble Ave Sol. The hall also plays host to a range of other concert activities.

Latvian National Opera

A pretty building in its own right, this is also a nice place to see an opera or ballet.

€5-65, depending on seat and show

Latvian National Symphonic Orchestra

It is a team of highly professional musicians with strong traditions, generous sound and devoted performance.

€2-70, depending on seat and show

Jāņi

On June 24, Latvians celebrate the summer solstice with the midsummer festival called Jāņi. Before the celebration, flea markets are held in many places.

Latviabeerfest

Takes place annually at the end of May. The largest international beer festival in the Baltics.

Latvian Song and Dance Festival

Latvian Vispārējie latviešu Dziesmu un Deju svētki

One of the key cultural events in Latvia, which started in 1873 as a singing festival. This festival has become an important facet of Latvian culture and has been held 25 times since then. There are smaller Song and Dance Festivals between 5-year time spans. About 30,000 people from every corner of the country participate, with choirs and dance groups at the heart of the celebrations. Brass bands, folk ensembles, players of the zither-like kokle, amateur theatrical troupes, and foreign guests also perform at the festival. The traditional procession through the street of Riga is not to be missed, as the participants invoke plenty of enthusiastic audience participation.

Takes place once every 5 years, at the beginning of July

Playground

Youth sport festival that encourages and enables every visitor to try to explore inspiring sports and culture on water, land and air (e.g. longboarding, SUP, wakeboarding, hydro-cycles, mountain bikes, slack line).

Mid-July·€15/day, €35/3 days

Rīga City Day

Rīgas svētki

Traditional weekend of celebrating a city. Many cultural events take place all around the city.

Takes place the whole of August

Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theater

Oldest Russian theatre in the world outside Russia.

the booking-office is open daily from 12:00 till 19:00·€10-50, depending on seat and show

Riga Zoo

The Riga Zoo is small, but fairly popular.

€4-6

Theater-Club "Hamlets"

Riga Theater-Club in heart of old city.

Occasional events·Costs varies

Count of May

Maija Grāfs

Medieval festival. Takes place annually in mid-May.

Easter

Lieldienas

Egg fights!

GUNS Funnel

International Baltic Ballet Festival

April

Lattelecom Marathon

Lattelecom Rīgas maratons

The biggest sport marathon held since 2007 in Latvia.

Held in the middle of May

Riga Rhythms Festival

Rīgas Ritmi festivāls

Takes place annually, at the end of June/start of July; 18:00–00:00·Some events cost €10-45, some are free

Rīgas Lāzertags

White Night

Baltā nakts

Annually, in the beginning of September

Wolftrike Drift Hall