Riga's birthday celebrations will take place throughout the Old Town, as well as on the 11th November Embankment and in some city parks, marking Riga's 825th year as a city!
Throughout the day, the 11 November Embankment will transform into the heart of the festivities, featuring live concerts, creative workshops, food and drink areas, picnic spaces, street markets, and activities for all ages. The daytime programme will also include a classic car show on Eksporta Street, while the main stage will host performances by Auļi, Atvara, Citi Zēni, Ozols, Alejas, and Sudden Lights.
The evening’s highlight will be the specially created concert production “My Riga Score”, bringing together musicians, choirs, dancers, and artists from different generations in a musical journey through Riga’s neighbourhoods, people, history, and future. The programme will feature performances by Jānis Šipkēvics, Aija Andrejeva, Gustavo, Māra Upmane-Holšteina, Jānis Aišpurs, Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, and many others, alongside the choirs Kamēr... and Ave Sol, as well as musicians from the chamber orchestra Sinfonietta Rīga.
Following the concert, visitors will be treated to a spectacular multimedia show on the waters of the Daugava, combining lasers, fountains, music, and video projections. The celebrations will then continue into the night with DJs Linda Samsonova and Magnuss Eriņš.
Celebration Programme at the 11 November Embankment:
13:00–16:00 – Daytime programme featuring creative workshops, street food and market stalls, DJ sets, and family-friendly activities.
14:00–16:00 – Classic car show on Eksporta Street.
16:00–16:45 – Performance by Auļi.
17:00–17:45 – Performance by Atvara.
18:00–18:45 – Performance by Citi Zēni.
19:00–19:45 – Performance by Ozols.
20:00–20:45 – Performance by Alejas.
21:00–21:45 – Performance by Sudden Lights.
22:00–23:30 – Special anniversary concert production “My Riga Score”, created especially for Riga’s 825th birthday.
23:30–23:45 – Spectacular laser, fountain, and video show on the waters of the Daugava.
23:45–02:00 – Open-air birthday party with DJs Linda Samsonova and Magnuss Eriņš.
A longstanding birthday tradition, the Krastu Mačs (“Shore Match”) 24-hour basketball tournament, will once again bring together teams from both sides of the Daugava River. The tournament will be accompanied by live entertainment, competitions, and activities for spectators throughout the event.
Every year, Riga’s birthday celebrations attract tens of thousands of visitors and remain one of the city’s largest summer events, offering something for everyone - from families and children to music lovers, sports enthusiasts, and culture seekers.
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Laser, Fountain and Video Show on the Daugava
Experience a breathtaking combination of light, water and music on the banks of the Daugava River.
To conclude Riga’s birthday celebrations, visitors will enjoy a specially created multimedia performance featuring laser projections, water fountains, video effects and a carefully curated soundtrack. The river itself will become a spectacular open-air stage, creating an unforgettable atmosphere in the heart of the city.
This innovative show will be one of the most memorable highlights of the celebrations, where technology, art and music come together to celebrate Riga.
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Krastu Mačs – 24-Hour Basketball Tournament
Krastu Mačs is one of Latvia’s most unique community sporting events, bringing together basketball players of all skill levels from both sides of the Daugava River for a continuous 24-hour tournament.
Alongside the games, visitors can enjoy live DJs and musicians, spectator competitions, entertainment activities and a wide range of food and drink options. The event combines sport, music and community spirit in a truly distinctive Riga experience.
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Red Bull Showrun Latvia 2026
On 15 August 2026, Riga will become louder, faster and more exciting than ever before as the city hosts its first-ever Red Bull Showrun during Riga Birthday Festival celebrations.
This unique motorsport event brings world-class machines, elite drivers and adrenaline-fuelled performances directly into the city centre.
What to Expect
The Red Bull Showrun offers spectators the rare opportunity to experience motorsport usually seen only at the world’s biggest racing venues.
A genuine Red Bull Formula 1 car will take to the streets of Riga alongside spectacular drift, rally and MotoGP demonstration runs. For two hours, Eksporta Street will be transformed into a high-performance show circuit where precision, speed and skill take centre stage.
Riga Becomes a Race Track
14 August – Red Bull Showrun Village
Visitors can get up close to the vehicles, meet the drivers and immerse themselves in the atmosphere ahead of the main event.
15 August – Main Show
14:00–16:00
Eksporta Street (from Elizabetes Street to Vanšu Bridge)
A two-hour motorsport spectacle featuring Formula 1, drifting, rally and motorcycle demonstrations in the heart of Riga, delivering an unforgettable showcase of speed, power and precision.