On Thursday, 15 December, the festive programme for families with children will continue in Vērmanes Fairy Tale Garden. Over the weekend, events dedicated to the Fourth Advent will take place in the centre of Riga and its neighbourhoods.
Meeting Santa Claus in Vērmanes Garden and other festive activities
In December, on Thursday evenings, families with children are invited to a special programme taking place near the fountain in Vērmanes Garden: fairy tale readings, games, songs and a chance to meet Santa Claus. Also, the Christmas Gate of Honour highlights the festive programme taking place in the park.
This Thursday, 15 December, from 18:00, visitors of Vērmanes Fairy Tale Garden will have the opportunity to enjoy world-famous carols, festive games, entertainment, and theatrical sports improvisations. The event will feature performances by the folklore group “Grodi”, the friends of folklore group “Skandinieki”, folk tradition group “Budēļi”, family folklore group “Berendejka”, studio theatre “Aka”, chamber choir “Vidus”, and mixed choir “Skaņupe”.
From 18:00, city’s inhabitants and guests will be able to enjoy the concert “The Path of Light” performed by Riga and Mārupe senior choirs in the VEF Culture Palace Chamber Hall.
Later in the evening, at 19:00, a festive concert “Christmas Oratorio” will be performed at the Ave Sol concert hall, featuring the Riga Chamber Choir “Ave Sol”, conductors Andris Veismanis and Jurģis Cābulis, Agnese Egliņa, Elizabete Lāce, and a string quintet.
Fourth Advent events in the city centre
A musical performance “In the Footsteps of the Reindeer” will take place on Saturday, 17 December. At 11:00, it will be performed in Ziedoņdārzs, whereas at 14:00 – in Vērmanes Garden. Everyone is welcome to take part in games, dance to the music, and experience the fascinating story of the Reindeer and two bears travelling around the world.
From 17:00, the mixed choirs “Sonante”, “Līgatne”, and “Jaunpils” will perform in the concert hall Ave Sol with the Advent Concert “The Way of Song” as part of the performance cycle “The Colours of the Seasons. Snowflake Music”.
On Sunday, 18 December, at 11:00., 14:00, and 16:00, Baiba Indrēvica, a storyteller, music teacher, and leader of the folklore group “Laiksne”, will help children search for and find the code of the Christmas fairy tale at the Riga Art Nouveau Centre.
From 16:00, the Riga Women’s Chamber Choir “Rīgas kamerkoris”, the girls’ choir of Riga Pupils Palace “Rīga”, soloists Elizabete Laura Porgante, Marta Ozoliņa, and Rūta Švarcbaha, and also the storyteller Zane Jančevska invite everybody to the Advent Concert “The Magician’s Heart” as part of the performance cycle “The Colours of the Seasons. Snowflake Music”.
At 19:00, in the Great Hall of the Culture Centre “Mazā Ģilde”, a heart-warming festive concert “Silent Songs” will be performed, featuring Līga Priede and Andrejs Grimms.
At the end of the Fourth Advent – from 20:30 to 23:30 – everyone is invited to the charity event “Angels Above Latvia” which will take place in Rātslaukums and is organised by TV3 Group Latvija together with the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Fourth Advent events in the city neighbourhoods
On Sunday, 18 December, at 12:00 and 14:00 at the market “Čiekurkalna krustceles”, 9 Rusova Street, popular Christmas melodies for a positive mood will be performed by “Ziemassvētku tubas”.
The Christmas music programme “Closer to Home” featuring the bell ensemble “Campanella”, the ensemble of students of the Andžejs Grauds Drum School, and the wind instrument quintet “Ziemassvētku prieks” will take place at 12:00 in Miera Garden and at 15:00 in Pļavnieki Birch Grove.
At 15:00, a musical fairy tale performance “Snow White’s School” will be held in the Chamber Hall of VEF Culture Palace and families with pre-school children and primary school children are especially welcome to attend the concert.
From 17:00, the most beautiful Latvian Christmas songs and traditional Christmas compositions from around the world will be performed by the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, singer Andris Ērglis, and actress Dita Lūriņa in the concert “And Snow is Snowing” in the Great Hall of the Culture Palace “Ziemeļblāzma”.
Several Christmas markets will also continue to welcome visitors. Gifts and festive treats can be purchased in Āgenskalns, Kalnciema Quarter, Doma Square, Esplanāde Park and elsewhere.
Festive decorations in the urban setting
As the Fourth Advent approaches, and continuing a tradition started earlier, more than 20 parks, squares and playgrounds in the city are decorated with festive lights. The festive atmosphere is brought to these parks not only with LED strings of energy-efficient light bulbs, but also with illuminated 3D stars, snowmen and other light design objects.
From 7 December, the Christmas Light Trail will gradually be installed along the city’s canal promenade. The shining Christmas light installations will be on display for city residents and guests starting from the evening of 16 December until mid-January.
Also, the capital’s brightest trees shine in Doma Square and Town Hall Square. Additional 18 Christmas trees are placed at cultural centres, parks, and squares, whereas trees donated by the municipality are displayed in the neighbourhoods of the city and decorated by neighbourhood associations.
As mentioned before, the visual image of Christmas and holiday greetings have been created by Latvian artist and illustrator Anna Vaivare and the theme is to enjoy Christmas just like in childhood. The artist’s festive motifs and images adorn the city’s outdoor billboards and posters which invite visitors to experience the wonders of Christmas.
Further information:
You can read more on special Christmas advent events organised by Riga municipality by visiting svetki.riga.lv and follow the news on the Facebook page “Rīgā notiek”.
Printed booklets with the programme of the celebrations are available in Riga municipal libraries, culture centres, customer service stations in Neighbourhood Centres, and also the Riga Tourist Information Centre.
Information was prepared by: Raimonds Grants – Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council Communication Department, e-mail: Raimonds.Grants@riga.lv.
