Baltic summer festival guide 2023

June 9, 2023, 13:57

Culture

Authors: Aiga Leitholde (LSM.LV), Eng.LSM.lv (Latvian Public Broadcasting)

As every summer, Latvia does not hold it back when it comes to a good party. LSM has produced an overview of festivals you should not miss this summer.

June

June 9– June 10: Conversation festival LAMPA on many stages throughout the city of Cēsis.
June 9 – June 11: "Zobens un Lemess" modern ethnic music and ancient trade festival, with artists like Skyforger and Inokentijs Mārpls performing and trades such as fishnet weaving for you to learn.
June 10: Rīga Ice Cream festival at Vērmanes Garden, central Rīga.
June 10: "R&B Blues Festival" in Ropaži, Latvia, with Latvian, Polish, and Danish performers participating.
June 12 – June 17: "Laiks dejot 2023" or 'time to dance' with a focus on Caucasus contemporary dance. The festival takes place at various locations in Rīga and at Stāmeriena Castle.
June 13 – June 15: "Džeztivāls" or 'Jazztival' in Rīga with performances of the Jāzeps Vītols Music Academy, aiming to popularize jazz and its many forms.
June 13 – June 18: "Starptelpa" performance festival promises to promote cooperation between the artist and the spectator.
June 17: "Unreal Festival" at the Mežaparks open-air stage with local and foreign musicians.
June 16 – June 17: "Flex Fest" in Tallinn, Krulli Square, with artists related to urban and hip-hop music.
June 16 – June 18: 8 Festival 2023 #mybloodyfestival in Lithuania, former Lukiškes prison, will bring together indie and alternative music bands.
June 22 – June 24: Klaipeda Jazz Festival promises artists from the USA, Israel, the UK, Ukraine, and local Lithuanians.
June 29 – July 1: "Kilkim Žaibu" festival in Ukmergė, Lithuania, promises to be the biggest folk pagan extreme metal festival in the Baltic.
June 30 – July 1: "Straume" second annual hip-hop festival in Līgatne with artists like ansis, Gustavo, Ozols, Edavārdi and others.

July

July 5 – July 8: Rīgas Ritmi annual improvisation, jazz and global music festival will take place in Rīga with artists from Cuba, Mozambique, Switzerland, Spain, France, Denmark, the UK, Germany, Estonia, and Lithuania.
July 6 – July 8: Võnge Festival, a 'travelling cultural festival' in Pruntova, Estonia, near the Latvian border.
July 11 – July 15: Ancient Music festival in Rīga, as well as Rundāle Palace and Mežotne.
July 14 – July 15: Positivus festival in Rīga, Lucavsala, with Sam Smith as the main star of the show.
July 15: Valmiermuiža ethnic music festival at Valmiermuiža park with local artists and performers from Italy, Norway and Ukraine.
July 15 – July 16: Vivat Curlandia! ancient music festival in Bauska.
July 15 – July 30: Cēsis Art Festival with exhibitions and performances in the city of Cēsis.
July 15 – July 23: Jūrmala Festival at the Dzintari concert hall with several classical music stars in various performances.
July 27 – July 29: Porta World Music festival in Rīga, fon Stricka villa, and in Kuldīga, with artists from Ukraine, Norway, Finland, Estonia, and elsewhere.
July 27 – July 30: RojaL Film Festival 2023 takes place in Roja, Latvia, for the 10th time. The film program will focus on Greek cinema classics and 21th century 'weird wave'.
July 27 – July 30: Viljandi Folk Music Festival in Viljandi, Estonia, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year with international folk music artists.
July 28 – July 29: Saldus Saule music festival with The Sound Poets, Oranžās Brīvdienas, Pērkons, Līvi, Inokentijs Mārpls, Sudden Lights and other local artists.
July 28 – July 29: Punk and Rock Festival Estonia in Tartu, Estonia. Includes Latvian band Inokentijs Mārpls.
July 30: 'Vegan Festival' will take place at the creative block Lastādija. The program is yet to be announced.

August

August 4 – August 6: Laba Daba music and art festival with local and international musicians, theater, dance, and performance artists takes place in Līgatne, Ratnieki.
August 4 – August 5: Summer Sound pop music festival in Liepāja.
August 4 – August 6: Valmiera summer theater festival takes place in Valmiera urban spaces with focus on theater for the whole family.
August 4 – August 5: Bauska Taste festival with local musicians will take place at the Bauska castle hill park.
August 10 – August 13: Summertime – aicina Inese Galante music festival in Jūrmala, Dzintari Concert hall, will bring together piano, opera musicians, Balkan music masters, Italian virtuosos, and others.
August 11 – August 12: Progausis festival with art-rock and jazz-rock alternative artists takes place at Kaives manor park, Cēsis municipality.
August 11 – August 13: Sansusī festival at Susēja, Aknīste municipality, brings together different art forms and never discloses its program prior to the festival.
August 12 and August 19: Kartupeļpalma local pop and retro music festival will go to two cities: Cēsis on August 12 and Liepāja on August 19.
August 18 – August 19: Bandava 2023 medieval festival in Kazdanga municipality "Upītes" promises to be the festival "Zobens un Lemess" 'little brother'.
August 26: Ezīšfests will end the summer with a bang at the Tallinas Square, Rīga. On stage: "Pērkons", "Inokentijs Mārpls", Prusax, "Krata", "PND", Zeļģis, Čipsis un Dullais, Vēbere un Arutjunjans, Elizabete Balčus, "Gapoljeri", Diona, "Grupa Jānis", DJ Magnuss Eriņš, DJ Miami, DJ Lietuvietis, DJ Cukurpaps and others.