On the evening of June 23, 11. novembra krastmala (Daugava Embankment) will become a venue for genuine Līgo! celebrations with Midsummer garlands, long tables and large bonfires. Participants will be expected already from 5 p.m. when the garland-making area will open for the participants to properly prepare for the celebrations, offering the visitors to make traditional oak leaf and flower garlands, sing Līgo! songs, partake in traditional games and dancing. In the evening, the focal point of the celebrations will move to the large bonfires and three stages where music will be performed for all tastes, from a concert of popular Latvian ditties "Jāņu nakti negulēju" (No Sleeping on Midsummer Night) to special theatrical performances dedicated to Līgo! Midsummer night traditions. 

On the other bank of the Daugava River, a Līgo! Midsummer night party will begin at 8 p.m., co-hosted by Iveta and Vidvuds Medenis. Ilga Reizniece and folk music band “Iļģi” will perform popular and rarely heard off Līgo! songs, the performance will also mark the 30th anniversary of the band. Valdis Putniņš and “Rīgas danču klubs” traditional dance club members will offer the audience to learn several traditional Latvian dances. Ināra Kalnarāja and the witty Liepāja women’s folklore band “Atštaukas” will make sure that the event continues in a cheerful and merry manner, and the band “Lauku muzikanti” will take over and see to that the dancing continues until dawn. To make the Līgo! Midsummer night events easily accessible to all Riga residents and guests of the city, public transport will be fare-free on June 23 and 24.

Preparations for the celebrations, including the traditional Līgo! singsongs, dancing, fairs and much more, will begin already on June 18 at Riga culture centres, museums and parks, and conclude with the Midsummer Fair at Riga’s Dome Square, where all imaginable kinds of cheese and beer, smoked meat, strawberries, honey, flowers, oak leaf and flower crowns will be on offer.

Entrance to all events is free of charge.

LĪGO 2011