Rīga
Super free allures preceded New Year's - the northern lights that were observable on the night from December 30 to December 31 - and freebies are expected to continue, in Rīga at least, with free public transportation and the largest New Year's Eve event in Latvia, traditionally held by the bank of Daugava on New Year's Eve and going well into the night.
Main event
The main event at 11. Novembra krastmala will start at 9 PM with performances of Funk Therapy uzstāšanos, Dzelzs vilks, Musiqq un Big Al & The Jokers, while after the fireworks at midnight the group Killer Queen will perform pieces from the ouvre of the legendary rock band Queen. The main event takes place until 3 AM. You're also invited to attend the Dome square where DJs will duke it out for radio supremacy, and on Līvu square where Billy B and this Sonic Rockets will help you shake off the cold.
Party in style
The student bar Nabaklab will feature DJs for all tastes in the different halls of the club, while the Koya restaurant will feature a masked ball where you're invited to become someone else, preferably someone legendary and famous. The evening will feature Eurovision star Marija Naumova, the band Big Al & The Jokers as well as DJ Kārlis Krustojums.
The bar Coyote Fly will feature an animation show titled City of Dreams while the evening will culminate with a performance by Australian singer Rudy.
Still others - like the Latvian 1st Rock Cafe will feature a somewhat alternative New Year with a Coco Orchestra performance after midnight in the event that starts at 10:30 PM.
Of course many other events - ranging from shoestring to splurge - will be taking place across the capital. Consult the map below.
Expect Old Riga to be very crowded at night, especially before and after the midnight fireworks.
Rest of Latvia
Fireworks will be launched across most Latvian cities, and events will be held in town centers.
Cēsis' Vienības square will see a New Year's celebration with a disco by DJ Farids held until 2 AM.
Liepāja will see a year-end concert at the Great Amber hall with pieces played from Westside Story along with fragments from composers like Leonard Bernstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Valmiera's central square will like much elsewhere see fireworks; a country music-themed festival will last into the wee hours.
While Ventspils will mark the turn of the year at 33 minutes and 44 seconds past midnight. The year-end ball starts at the Culture Center in 10:30 PM.
Rožu laukums will host performances by bands such as legendary Labvēlīgais Tips prior to and after the midnight fireworks.
Rēzekne's Festival Park will host Daile Theater actors and DJ performances before and after midnight - when you can expect fireworks as well!
Other events will be held across other towns of Latvia as well, and you can find out a great deal about them in the below map - provided if you're armed with Google Translate and some patience.
