Midsummer in Mezaparks
Those who want to have fun until dawn should meet at Mežaparks Green Theatre, where the Midsummer evening event "Riga Green Ball" will take place on June 23 from 20:00 until sunrise.
The ethno-group "Ogas" and "Stiprās sievas" will rock the festivities with folk melodies. From 21:00, the band "Vintāža" will entertain the audience, and Atis Ieviņš and his band will provide the rock section of the green ball. Ingus Ulmanis and the band "Lādezers" will take to the stage around midnight.
Later, Intars Busulis and "Abonementa orķestris" will take the stage, and just after 2:00, when the morning light is beginning to appear on the hillside, the band "Mazais princis" will take the stage. At the very end of Midsummer Night, the celebrators will greet the sun with the schlager band "Roja" from Kurzeme. The shortest night of the year will be accompanied by the hosts of the event - the association "GraBulis" - actors Andris Bulis and Gints Grāvelis.
Midsummer in Dzegužkalns
On June 23, from 20:00, Dzegužkalns will also host the Midsummer celebration. Dzegužkalns is the highest hill in Riga and traditionally the oldest Midsummer celebration site, mentioned in historical sources as a place of festivities as early as the 18th century.
The event "Traditional Midsummer at Dzegužkalns" will be the same as in the past and will give Riga's residents and visitors the opportunity to learn traditional Latvian cultural values and customs: wreath weaving, fortune telling, Līgo, blessing the fire, celebrating Midsummer, and welcoming the sun. A special place will be reserved for the ritual of lighting the Midsummer fire, Latvian games, and dances.
The celebrators will be able to enjoy a varied Midsummer programme, featuring traditional Latvian music arranged by various popular folklore and post-folklore groups and performers. The Liepāja Actors' Folklore Association "Atštaukas", the Karikste Chapel, the post-folklore groups "Iļģi" and "Rīgas danču klubs", the musical group "Rahu the Fool" and the folk-rock group "Jaunais Jāņu orķestris" will take part in the festivities.
Midsummer in Grīziņkalns
For those who don't want to go far away from the city center, go to the Midsummer celebration in Grīziņkalns.
Everyone will be welcomed by Marta Lovisa Jančevska and Kaspars Zvīgulis, and from 20:00 there will be Midsummer games, wreath weaving, traditions and active Līgo games for the whole family. The most adventurous cooks will be able to make traditional Midsummer cheese.
The meadow will also host active games for all ages - horseshoe throwing, a bunch procession, a Līgo memory game and other activities. Together with the folklore group "Kokle", children and adults can learn various Midsummer games, dances, Līgo songs, and Midsummer night beliefs, while Elza Rozentāle and the ethno rock band will lead everyone into the sounds of ethno music.
At 22:20, the Midsummer bonfire will be lit, followed by the Dimanta sisters on stage with the programme "Rise, Midsummer Day!". After midnight, the musical group "Viedais Fonografs" will be invited on stage, and at around 2.00 everyone will be invited to the Grīziņkalns Ball with the band "The Originals". At 3:40, DJ Kaspars Zaviļeiskis will take over the baton of the Līgo party, welcoming the first rays of the sun together.
