Everyone, big and small, is invited to a moment of true joy on 29 November at 04:00 p.m. in Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums), where Riga’s Christmas tree will be lit up and that begins the most beautiful and wonderful time of the year – the Christmas waiting time.
Artists beloved by children and families will take care of a special festive mood. The musical group Brīnumskapis will perform on stage with well-known and beloved songs, as well as Tuta and Fox, who will sing popular songs from the programme “Tutas lietas” together with the children. The audience will also be entertained by the children's and youth vocal ensemble “Kolibri” from the Culture and Folk Art Centre “Mazā ģilde (Small Guild)”.
At the moment of lighting the Christmas tree the Chairman of the Riga City Council Viesturs Kleinbergs will address the audience and, together with all those present, will light the city’s main festive tree in Town Hall Square (Rātslaukums) in joyful lights. The evening will be hosted by actor and TV presenter Oskars Florencs-Vīksne.
On the Friday before the First Advent, the big Christmas tree in the Cathedral Square (Doma laukums) will be lit up and, for the first time during the Christmas season, the facade of Riga Cathedral (Doma baznīca) will be illuminated.
Everyone is also welcome to participate in the First Advent events organised by the municipality– the dwarf procession and mask-making workshop in the cultural centre Iļģuciems, the Christmas tree lighting event in the park of the cultural palace Ziemeļblāzma and concerts in the concert hall “Ave Sol”, Riga’s John’s Church and the Culture and the Culture and Folk Art Centre “Mazā ģilde (Small Guild)”. The Christmas Garden in Torņakalns “12 Svētās naktis (12 Holy Nights)” will also be opened on the first day of Advent, which will traditionally be open to visitors in the area near the Riga’s Lutheran Church until 31 December 2025.
You can find out more about the Christmas waiting time events organised and supported by Riga City Council by visiting the website svetki.riga.lv and follow the news on the social media pages “Rīga” and “Rīgā notiek”.
Information was prepared by Ineta Miglāne, Project Coordinator, External Communication Division of the Communications Department of the Riga City Council, e-mail: ineta.miglane@riga.lv.