The festivities are fast approaching and the merry-go-round of events is in full swing. Jump into the festive whirl and enjoy Riga's colourful and sonorous programme of celebrations for the Third Advent.
Concerts and events for the Third Advent
On December 12 at 18.00 in the Great Hall of the Culture Palace "Ziemeļblāzma" the audience will enjoy the concert "Christmas Stars". The concert "Jampadracis pie "Podziņām"" will take place from 19.00 to 20.00 in the Great Hall of the Riga Culture and Folk Art Centre "Small Guild".
On December 13 at 18.00, the Great Hall of the Culture Palace "Ziemeļblāzma" will host a Christmas concert "Three Men at Christmas". In this concert programme, actor Mārtiņš Vilsons, singer Zigfrīds Muktupāvels and composer Jānis Lūsēns will speak poetry, stories and sing songs in a hushed and nuanced atmosphere.
Among them, the concert "Snowflake Kaleidoscope" will take place on 15 December at 19.00 at the Ave Sol Concert Hall. The musical kaleidoscope of the concert will consist of a wide range of compositions - from Melancholic Waltz by Emilis Dārziņš, arrangements of songs by Imants Kalninš, Kārlis Lācis and Raimonds Pauls to works by Edvard Grieg and transformations of other works of world-famous composers for “kokle”. The clear sound of “kokle” will be accompanied by vocal singing and the programme will be punctuated by a thematic prose reading.
On 16 December at 11.00, 13.00, 15.00 and 17.00 the Museum "Riga Art Nouveau Centre" invites you to the Art Nouveau Christmas Music Salon. The sound of the flute accompanied by the historic Art Nouveau piano will create a warm atmosphere, as was typical in the city dwellings of the early 20th century.
Meanwhile, at 18.00, the concert "Prayer on Christmas Eve" will take place at the Ave Sol Concert Hall. The concert programme will allow you to fall into peaceful contemplation for a while, listening to great, musically rich and sonorous works by Valts Pūce, Valdis Zilvers, Jānis Lūsēns, Ēriks Ešenvalds and other composers.
On 17 December, on the Third Advent, from 11.30 to 12.00, the Santa Claus Quintet will play at the branch of the Culture and Folk Art Centre "Ritums" at 43A Ieriķu Street and from 12.30 to 13.00 at the House of Furniture, 72 Dzelzavas Street. There will be well-known and traditional Christmas songs that we all want to hear during this festive season.
On Advent Day at 11.00, 14.00 and 16.00 the Museum "Riga Art Nouveau Centre" invites families with children to a festive event. The children's favourite hand puppet, Albert the Cat, will be accompanied by a Christmas story. Participants will enjoy a story about festive treats - gingerbread and a meeting with Santa Claus.
From 13.00 to 16.00, in the territory of Riga Luther Church, Torņakalna Street 5, the event "12 Holy Nights" will include a market, a big lottery, a photo corner, a café where you can buy festive delicacies, as well as a place for good thoughts and thanksgiving in silence. At 16.00, the candle of the Third Advent will be lit on the old dial of the church clock.
And from 14.00 to 15.30 in the Great Hall of the Culture Centre "Imanta"
Christmas concert performance for children "Trouble with Santa Claus” will take place. During the performance, members of the dance group "Mazais Andžiņš" and the vocal ensemble "Tu un es" will take on the roles of elves, inhabitants of the Forest of Wonders - both performing collective performances and acting as actors together with Santa Claus.
From 16.00 to 16.45, the musical performance "The Hullabaloo of Chimney Sweepers" will take place in the park of the Culture Palace "Ziemeļblāzma". "The Hullabaloo of Chimney Sweepers” and Christmas atmosphere will be conjured up and surprises will be provided by the musicians of the Sunny Groove Dixie band.
The concert "It's Time Again" will take place at the Ave Sol Concert Hall at 18.00. It will be performed by the Ave Sol Concert Organisation’s Choir "Sonante", pianist and composer Madara Kalniņa, cellist Elīza Petrenko, percussionist Mārcis Kalniņš and soloist Sabīne Krilova. The programme includes works by Latvian composers. The Third Advent concert "Lift Us Up" will take place at Riga's New St Gertrude's Church at 18.00. The concert will feature music composed in Florence, Rome and Riga in the 16th century. The mood of the concert is based on the reflections of Advent and the carols and glitter of Christmas.
From 19.00 to 20.00 in the Large Hall of Advent the Riga Culture and Folk Art Centre "Small Guild" the Third Concert will take place which will conclude the concert series “Winter Sundays in Small Guild 2023”. The concert will feature Kristīne Paže, Didzis Bardo and Krists Krūskops, and will feature true and profound musical stories that will take many listeners on a nostalgic journey closer to themselves.
The cultural events of the Third Advent will conclude at 19.30 with a concert of the charity campaign "Angels over Latvia" at the City Hall Square. The concert in City Hall Square will add to the Old Town Christmas fairy tale, becoming the culmination of sincerity, gratitude and good deeds for the annual charity campaign "Angels over Latvia". The City Hall Square will be transformed into a festive place with a concert stage, a call centre wonder house, a live radio studio of "Star FM", festive treat carts, places for donations, and other surprises to delight the attendees.
Christmas sports spirit
On 17 December, active lifestyle enthusiasts will be offered a wonderful opportunity to spend the holidays in a positive atmosphere, as the "Sporting Christmas" active recreation event will take place at the Rimi Olympic Centre in Riga, Grostonas Street 6B. This sporting event will involve enjoying winter fun indoors. At the Rimi Olympic Centre, where basketball, volleyball, football, swimming, floorball, gymnastics and other sports are on the everyday agenda, this time active recreation enthusiasts will have the opportunity to get moving and take part in a variety of exciting activities.
Athletes will also be entertained by a variety of lovely musical performances and sportsmanship demonstrations. "Sporting Christmas" events will take place throughout the day.
Christmas markets and Christmas light trail
Please note that this week there will also be festive markets at Esplanade, Doma Square and Vidzeme Market. At the Esplanade Market, everyone will find gifts from a range of local artisans in the decorated and illuminated merchants' houses, as well as enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel, which will allow you to see the joyful bustle from a height of 15 metres. One of the most delightful attractions at this year's Esplanade Christmas Market is the "Rabbit Kingdom", which attracts passers-by big and small alike. At the Dom Square Market, you can feel the Christmas atmosphere, buy gifts and enjoy a wide cultural programme. The Vidzeme market will offer products from local farmers, home producers and craftsmen, as well as musical surprises, creative workshops and a meeting with Santa Clause. The market will be open on 13, 20, 21 and 22 December.
On 16 December, from 12.00 to 16.00, the Christmas Market "Meeting in the 12th Month" will take place at the Children and Youth Centre "Laimīte” at Sarkandaugavas Street 24. On the day of the fair, visitors will be able to get creative in masterclasses, shop in the children and youth crafts market, enjoy a festive concert and meet Santa Claus and Snow-White.
You are also invited to enjoy magical light adventures. Until February, Riga's boulevards and parks, the quiet city centre and the Old Town will be dressed in light, transforming the urban environment into a magical light experience. Like the last year, the Christmas Light Trail will be available in the greenery of the city's canal promenade. This year, 10 sparkling stars have joined the beloved moon of Riga as its companions.
Until 26 December, the Vērmanes Garden will host the Solstice Cupboard, where you will have the opportunity to hear predictions, beliefs, wishes and get inspiration for the coming year by imitating the starry sky.
You can find out more about the Christmas events organised by the Riga municipality by visiting website svetki.riga.lv and by following the news on the social media pages "Rīga" and "Rīgā notiek".
Information prepared by: Aira Ancāne, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga City Council, e-mail: aira.ancane@riga.lv
