Upcoming events in Riga
Seasonal traditions, culture nights, and city-weekend highlights.
Photo by Ana Rita F. on Unsplash.
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Art Riga Fair: PAPER 2026
A winter art fair week with exhibitions and a design-forward vibe—nice if you want something cultural beyond museums while Riga is quiet.
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Artdocfest/Riga 2026
A documentary film festival with screenings and discussions—great for travelers who like real stories and a curated program.
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Riga Opera Ball (seasonal)
A glamorous ‘dress up’ night at the Latvian National Opera—worth knowing about because it shapes the city’s high-end nightlife calendar in late winter.
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Riga Fashion Week 2026 (watchlist)
A runway-focused week with shows and industry events—worth tracking if you like fashion, styling, and the city’s modern creative scene.
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TechChill Riga 2026
The Baltics’ flagship startup and tech conference—talks, networking, side events, and a great excuse to visit Riga for a high-energy March week.
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Riga Photography Biennial (seasonal)
A citywide photography program with exhibitions and events—great for an art-forward trip where you want ‘one show per day’ without rushing.
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Riga Restaurant Week (seasonal)
Fixed-price menus across participating restaurants—great for a short trip where you want one ‘planned meal’ without overthinking it.
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Riga Cathedral organ concerts (seasonal)
A classic Riga experience: powerful cathedral organ concerts in the Dome—an easy, atmospheric evening plan when you want something timeless and indoors.
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Rimi Riga Marathon 2026
Riga’s biggest running weekend—marathon, half, and shorter races with Old Town scenery and big spectator energy.
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Riga Art Week (RAW) (seasonal)
A city-scale contemporary art week with exhibitions, talks, and pop-ups—good if you want Riga to feel more ‘creative capital’ than ‘quick weekend stop’.
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Riga Opera Festival 2026
A focused opera-and-ballet stretch at the Latvian National Opera—ideal if you want one “dress up” night in Riga.
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Jāņi (Midsummer) in Riga
Latvia’s biggest holiday: bonfires, flower wreaths, folk songs, and a long light-filled night. Riga’s parks and riverbanks come alive.
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Positivus Festival 2026 (seasonal)
Latvia’s biggest pop/alt festival energy—big nights, big production, and a classic ‘summer weekend’ crowd (check the official site for the 2026 format).
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Rīgas vasara (Riga Summer) cultural programme
A month of city-run concerts and cultural events across Riga—perfect for building an easy evening plan without overthinking it.
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Riga’s Birthday celebrations (Rīgas dzimšanas diena)
A classic city celebration weekend with concerts, pop-up programming, and a festive riverside mood in mid-August.
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The Rīga Conference 2026
A major Baltic-region foreign policy and security conference—worth knowing about because it brings a ‘big week’ atmosphere (and full hotels) in early September.
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RIGA IFF (Riga International Film Festival) (seasonal)
A curated film festival week—great for a few cozy autumn evenings when you want Riga to feel like a cultural city, not just a postcard.
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Lāčplēsis Day (November 11) in Riga
A significant remembrance day in Latvia. In Riga, it’s often marked with commemorations and a more reflective city mood—useful context if you’re visiting in early November.
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Staro Rīga (light festival) 2026 (seasonal)
Riga’s citywide light festival: installations and projections across central spots—perfect for crisp November nights and purposeful evening walks.
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Latvia Independence Day (November 18) in Riga
Latvia’s national day. In Riga, expect a ‘city in ceremony mode’ feeling, possible commemorations, and adjusted opening hours—useful if you’re planning a November trip.
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Riga Christmas Market at Dome Square (seasonal)
A classic winter market vibe in Old Town: lights, warm drinks, and gift browsing—Riga feels especially atmospheric when it’s cold and dark early.
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New Year’s Eve in Riga (Jaungada vakars)
A festive Old Town countdown with winter-city atmosphere—do it simply: one warm meal, one outside midnight moment, then back to your hotel.
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A quick note
Event schedules can shift. Each event page links to official sources—use them for last-minute program, route, or ticket updates.