On Sunday, 27 November, at 5 p.m., Riga’s main Christmas tree will shine brightly in Doma Square and the traditional Old Town Christmas Fair will be opened after a two-year pause. During the First Advent, festive concerts will also take place in several locations in the city.
Brightest Christmas tree lighting ceremony and Old Town Christmas Fair
There will be musical surprises and festive miracles for families with children during the brightest Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Doma Square on the First Advent. In addition, a tree decorated with the motifs of the city keys will be lit up in Riga Town Hall Square.
The opening of the Old Town Christmas Fair will take place alongside the Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Not only will you be able to purchase products sold by various craftsmen, home producers, and handicraftsmen, but also to enjoy various musical performances during weekends. Old Town Christmas Fair will be open until 1 January 2023.
Advent concerts from the balcony of Riga Town Hall and musical entertainment at Vērmanes Garden
On Sunday, at 2:00 p.m. and at 4.00 p.m., the ensemble TrombonsLV will perform musical works by world-renowned composers as part of the Advent Concert from the balcony of the Town Hall. At 3.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m., the Sunny Groove Dixie and soloist Marta Monta Zūdiņa will perform at Vērmanes Garden.
At 5.00 p.m., the Riga vocal jazz ensemble “Assambly singers” and the Art Academy of Latvia mixed choir “Senais kalns” will perform at the Ave Sol concert hall, and the First Advent Concert featuring the Orchestra RIGA and soloist Marlēna Keina will take place at the Riga City Council, at 7.00 p.m. At 7.00 p.m., guitarists Gints Smukais and Rihards Lībietis will perform at the concert in the Culture Centre “Mazā ģilde”.
Artist’s illustrations and light design objects in city environment
This year, the visual image of Christmas and holiday greetings have been created by Latvian artist, illustrator, and architect Anna Vaivare. The artist’s festive motifs and images adorn the city’s outdoor billboards and posters which invite visitors to experience the wonders of Christmas in Riga. In early December, some advertising pillars will be decorated with Christmas hats inspired by the artist’s illustrations.
Previous city decorations in shades of blue this year are supplemented with new decorations, i.e. warmly illuminated keys of Riga. They are placed on the lighting poles of Vanšu Bridge and Kalnciema Street overpass.
In December, 20 parks, squares, and playgrounds in Riga will be decorated with strings of electric lights. The festive atmosphere will be brought to these parks not only with LED strings of energy-efficient light bulbs, but also with illuminated 3D stars, snowmen and other light design objects.
From 17 December, everyone in the city will be able to experience the glittering wonders of Christmas lights in the Christmas light trail along the city’s canal promenade.
The Christmas Gate of Honour will also highlight the special festive programme at Vērmanes Garden.
Until 6 December, 18 Christmas trees will also be placed at culture centres, parks, and squares throughout the city. Meanwhile city neighbourhood residents will decorate trees donated by the municipality in 20 locations throughout the city.
Further information:
You will soon be able to find out more about the events organised by the Riga City Council to celebrate the Christmas season on the website svetki.riga.lv and also to follow the news on the Facebook page “Rīgā notiek”.
Next week, printed booklets with the programme of the celebrations will be available in Riga municipal libraries, culture centres, customer service stations in Neighbourhood Centres, and also the Riga Tourist Information Centre.
Information was prepared by: Rita Plūme, Riga City Council Communication Administration Strategic Communication Division project coordinator, e-mail: rita.plume@riga.lv.