Kick-off events for annual Ligo! festivities in city

In the week before the summer solstice, Riga residents and visitors are invited to celebrate Midsummer Eve with traditional Midsummer and Līgo! rituals, concerts by folklore groups, lighting of the Midsummer bonfire and concerts of contemporary music in „new sounds”.

June 18th 

11.00–11.30; 12.00–12.30; 13.00–13.30 Culture Centre “Mazā ģilde” garden and Town Hall Square

Pre-Midsummer event together with Orchestra “Rīga”. Popular melodies from the repertoire of Raimonds Pauls and the group “Labvēlīgais tips”.

17.30–20.00 Culture Palace “Ziemeļblāzma” park

Pre-Midsummer festivities “Šī dieniņa, rītdieniņa, parīt pati Jāņa diena!”. Dance steps, cheese making (Jāņi cheese), wreath-making, learning traditional games (rotaļas), concert by folklore group “Teikas muzikanti”.

19.00–21.30 Town Hall Square

Grand dance concert “Vidusvasaras dzīvestības”. Participation of all-generation dance groups of KTMC “Mazā ģilde”. Hosted by actress Zane Jančevska. Artistic director – Dance Festival chief choreographer Jānis Purviņš.

19 June

18.00–19.30 Culture Centre “Mazā ģilde” garden

Pre-Midsummer festivities “Dzied, māsiņa, Jāņu dziesmu!”. Cheese making, summer solstice traditions and rituals, learning līgotnes.

20 June

15.00–16.10 Concert Hall “Ave Sol”

Concert “Saulstāvji”. Riga Chamber Choir “Ave Sol”, artistic director Andris Veismanis. Līgotnes, ballads and Midsummer night mysteries.

15.00–02.00 Victory Park

Event “Jāņu riti”

15.00–21.00 Concerts of folklore groups, creative workshops, craftsmen and home-producers market, masterclasses

21.00–22.30 Ritual of lighting the Jāņi bonfire

23.00–00.15 Grand dance performance “Jāņu nakti darināju”
Dance ensemble “Daiļrade”, mixed choir “Sōla”

00.15–02.00 Dancing and singing together with the group “Rikši”