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Midsummer warm-up events in Riga: getting ready for Līgo evening and Jāņi celebration.🌿

Jāņi celebrations do not begin only on Līgo evening. In Riga, the days leading up to Midsummer are filled with "ielīgošana" — warm-up gatherings where people sing, dance, learn ancient Latvian solstice traditions, make wreaths, prepare fire rituals, taste seasonal foods and reconnect with customs deeply rooted in Latvian culture.

All these events will help you feel the true spirit of Līgo evening and Jāņi celebration, a feeling that has lived in Latvians for hundreds of years.

🌾 13 June | Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum Latvijas Etnogrāfiskais brīvdabas muzejs
⏰ 11:00–15:00

A traditional ielīgošana with solstice stories, singing, dancing, wreath-making and hands-on traditions. Expect Jāņi cheese-making, songs by folklore group Vilkači solstice rituals, dances with Zeidi, a wreath-making workshop and talks about Jāņi herbs with herbalist Līga Reitere.

🎺 18 June | Orchestra “Rīga”
⏰ 11:00 & 12:00 — Mazā ģilde garden
⏰ 13:00 — Rātslaukums

A musical city-centre warm-up for Jāņi with well-known melodies.

🎨 18 June | Saules dārzs: Creative Ielīgošana Radošā rūpnīca Veldze
⏰ 16:00–20:00

A family-friendly gathering with a Jāņi market, workshops, treats and activities. The programme includes a pastalas (traditional Latvian leather footwear) workshop, fire-starter workshop, eco print workshop, photo corner, ice cream, paper flower crowns and playful activities for younger visitors.

🌿 18 June | Kimmel Quarter Ielīgošana Kimmel kvartāls
⏰ From 18:00

A lively urban meadow-style celebration with Jāņi herbs, birch branches, folk dances, music and a big green space turning into a dance floor.

💃 18 June | Dance Concert “Vidusvasaras dzīvestības”
📍 Rātslaukums
⏰ 19:00

A large open-air dance concert by several generations of folk dancers. Expect Latvian folk dance classics, contemporary choreography and a strong Midsummer atmosphere in the heart of Riga.

🌼 19 June | Zāļu tirgus at Dome Square
📍 Dome Square
⏰ 09:00–19:00

The traditional market with Midsummer plants, artisan goods and seasonal local produce. The market atmosphere will be enriched with songs and folk dances on stage.

🎶 19 June | “Dzied, māsiņa, Jāņu dziesmu!”
📍 Mazā ģilde garden
⏰ 18:00–19:30

A more intimate ielīgošana focused on cheese-making, solstice rituals, traditions and learning Jāņi songs.

🎼 20 June | Concert “Solstice”
📍 Ave Sol Concert Hall
⏰ 15:00–16:10

A Midsummer concert by the Ave Sol Chamber Choir, conducted by Andris Veismanis, featuring traditional Midsummer songs, ballads and musical interpretations of Midsummer night folklore.

🔥 20 June | “Jāņi Rituals”
📍 Uzvaras Park
⏰ 15:00–02:00

A large-scale Midsummer celebration bringing together folklore concerts, craft workshops, an artisan and local producers’ market, hands-on activities, a traditional bonfire lighting ceremony, a dance performance, followed by traditional dancing and sing-along with folk music group Rikši.

From wreath-making and cheese-making to folk songs, dances, bonfires and craft traditions, these events invite you to experience authentic Latvian Midsummer culture across Riga — and to get ready for the magic of Līgo evening and Jāņi celebration.