Spring guide in Riga

Celebrate Easter

One of the most significant harbingers of spring is, of course, Easter. This year, several large and small events will take place in Riga to celebrate the holiday.

One of the most symbolic signs of spring, of course, is Easter. This year, several large and small events will take place in Riga to celebrate the holiday.

At St. John’s Church in Riga at 7:00 PM, the Good Friday concert will feature the “Rīga” Orchestra, the Riga Chamber Choir “Ave Sol,” and conductor Andris Veismanis. After an introduction by Pastor Aivars Smuidrs, the concert will include the premiere of a new arrangement of Uģis Prauliņš’s Stabat Mater for choir and wind orchestra. Free invitations will be available starting April 11 at “Biļešu paradīze” box offices and at www.bilesuparadize.lv.

The main Easter activity – swinging – will be organized in four locations across the city: Dome Square, Town Hall Square, Livu Square, and Bastejkalns. Traditional Easter swings will be available on April 20 and 21 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

On April 19 and 20, from 11:30 AM–1:30 PM and 3:00 PM–5:00 PM, the Riga Porcelain Museum will host creative workshops titled “Easter.” The program will begin with a lecture on porcelain tableware and small sculptures produced in Latvia, as well as the history of ceramic tiles. Participation is free of charge. Advance registration by phone: 26406354.

At the “Riga Art Nouveau Centre” on April 19, Easter egg dyeing workshops will be held from 12:00–1:00 PM, 1:30–2:30 PM, and 3:00–4:00 PM. Under the guidance of experienced artisans, visitors will learn various techniques to decorate the egg – a symbol of fertility and life – using both natural and decorative materials. Entrance and participation require a museum ticket. Pre-registration by phone: 67181465 or email: jugendstils@riga.lv.

On April 20, the same museum will host a concert titled “Come, O Great Day!” featuring Easter songs and games by musician and teacher Baiba Ērgle, bringing joy to both children and adults. Entry is with a museum ticket.

Also on April 20, starting at 12:00 PM, residents of the Pārdaugava neighborhoods are invited to gather at the “Imanta” Culture Center to celebrate the arrival of spring and take part in festive activities such as egg dyeing and boiling workshops, metal forging, ancient Latvian games, and enjoy performances by the Riga Dance Club and the post-folklore group “Kaligo” in the center's courtyard. Children will be especially delighted by meeting real rabbits and enjoying the swings!

Meanwhile, in Victory Park, Easter rituals and games with the folklore group “Skandinieki” will begin at 11:00 AM. At 12:00 PM, children can enjoy Easter Morning with Ričijs Rū and Friends. At 1:30 PM, you’ll hear poetry by Imants Ziedonis and Knuts Skujenieks performed by Goran Gora. At 2:00 PM, the post-folk group “Madara” will present a fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds, led by cellist and songwriter Madara Fogelmane. At 3:00 PM, the group “Rahu the Fool” will bring retro vibes blended with improvisation and folk music, and at 4:00 PM, the “Jauno Jāņu orķestris” will close the event with original songs by Jānis Kaukulis featuring traditional lyrics.

Victory Park will also feature Easter swings and a wide range of creative workshops for families and children, including egg decorating and crafting Easter symbols and characters from natural materials. Every workshop participant will be able to create their own unique Easter egg and bunny.

At the “Mazā Ģilde” Culture and Folk Art Center, a concert titled “The Arrival of Light” will begin at 4:00 PM, featuring Ilze Ozoliņa (piano), Marlēna Keine (soprano), and Kalvis Kalniņš (baritone). The musicians aim to express hope rooted in faith – this is not the twilight of an ending, but the dawn of a new beginning. Admission is free.

On April 21, from 12:00 PM, the Kokars Hall and outdoor area at Mežaparks Great Stage will host Second Easter celebrations with educational, entertaining, athletic, and family-friendly activities.

The event will open with the “Laboratorium” science show, featuring physics and chemistry experiments. Visitors will be invited to make Easter-themed slime, enjoy swings, paint eggs, and join various workshops. There will be games and dances with the folklore group “Teikas muzikanti.” The picnic program will be led by Katrīna Feldmane. To close the festivities, the Biruta Ozoliņa Trio will perform a concert at 3:00 PM in Kokars Hall.

Finally, the grand Easter celebration at the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum will take place on April 20 at 10:00 AM.

New hotspots in Riga

Spring is here, and that means only one thing – no more staying in! It’s time to put on your best shoes and set off on a hunt for Riga’s latest flavors. This time, we’re bringing you five spots worth visiting with a hungry belly and high expectations!

Bite Me – a place where grilled cheese sandwiches are so good, you might just bite your own tongue. Bonus – excellent wines to help you make the very important decision that yes, you do need another one.

Fish Corner – if you’re a seafood fan, this place feels like a little harbor where your soul and stomach can rejoice. From shrimp to fish dishes, every bite here is like a warm hug from the ocean.

Jawws – this isn’t your regular corner kebab stand. Here, kebabs are elevated to an art form – surprising flavors and combinations that will make you forget everything you thought you knew about kebabs.

CCAF - CACAO APOTHECARY FIRM – a place where cacao and matcha reach new heights. If you’re looking for alcohol-free but sophisticated drinks that taste like pure indulgence, this is the place to be.

Piga Gastropub – if you want to eat well without spending your entire month’s budget, Piga is your best friend. Delicious meals, great prices, and an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home (but with much better food).

Riga is bubbling with new places – time to dive in and taste it all!

Rimi Riga Marathon

From May 17 to 18, the "Rimi Riga Marathon" will take place in Riga. In this sporting adventure, everyone will be able to choose the route that suits them best - a distance of 42 km, a half marathon or 21 km, 10 km or 5 km, as well as a DPD mile or 1609 m. The routes will lead through the historical streets of the Old town, along the architectural pearls and over the bridges, combining the pleasant with the useful - sports and getting to know the city!

Night at the museum

There is at least one night a year when you can stay awake and wander the bustling city streets. Museum Night marks the beginning of summer every year and does so in a very original and educational way, allowing visitors to enjoy the permanent as well as specially prepared exhibitions in the evening and at night. Museum Night in Latvia will take place on May 17 this year, marking its 21st edition. More info coming soon!

Enjoy a refreshing walk

Enough of sitting at home, it's time to draw strength from the nature for a new act of life! Take a refreshing walk through the small streets of Ķīpsala, listen to one of the unique audio excursions that lead through Viesturdārzs or Čiekurkalns. If you feel hungry, prepare a picnic basket and enjoy a lazy lunch in one of Riga's parks or go for an unusual walk through the unique Riga cemeteries!

Immerse yourself in Cherry blossoms

There is no more romantic time of the year than spring, when you can take your significant other by the hand and take them for a slow walk through the clusters of Sakura flowers. We can guarantee that it will definitely be one of the most memorable dates to experience this time of year. Take into account that the gorgeous Japanese cherries in Riga start to bloom at the end of April.

Captures the dose of vitamins at the market

Best way to break free from the winter hibernation is by taking an extra dose of spring greens. In Riga Central Market, Āgenskalns market, as well as in the Kalnciema quarter market you will find aromatic herbs, vitamin bouquets from vegetables, fruits, berries, and, of course, let's not forget the refreshing birch juice! If you lack freshness in your life, then you know that you can find it in the markets of Riga!

Get into the Botanical World

Have you already stepped into the most intoxicating season of the year? If not, you’ll find the perfect opportunity in Pārdaugava, home to the University of Latvia Botanical Garden.

For those missing snow-capped mountains, here you can admire lush shrubs resembling snowdrifts and capture the triumphant bloom of budding leaves overtaking the last traces of winter. Azaleas burst into bloom inside the greenhouse as early as winter and early spring, fragrant magnolias follow at the end of April, while rhododendrons and lilacs celebrate their grand season from May to June.

Address:

Kandavas iela 2

Enjoy live music evenings

In the spring time, life in Riga is bubbling in bars, restaurants and hotels, where those gathered can enjoy charming evenings of live music and who knows, maybe even show off their moves on the dance floor! Jazz and Blues lovers are invited to go to the concert venue M/Darbnīca, where talented artists perform several times a week. Fun and Latvian-inspired dance and live music evenings are regularly held in the "Ala Pagrabs" Folk Club, while in St.Black bar you can enjoy various concerts - from romantic acoustic to country and rock music concerts. Also - don't forget to enjoy the unique sound of the Riga Dome organ! Find out about other current events by going to the Events section of the LiveRiga website.

Walk around the Zoo

The Galapagos Tortoise, the African Lions, the Arctic Foxes – these are just some of the animals you can meet at the Riga Zoo. Operating for more than a century, the Zoo inhabits more than 400 wild animal species. Aquarium, terrarium, tropical house - the Zoo is an educational and fascinating place to while away the hours.