When the air gets crisper and the days shorter, Rigas offer ample joyful activities indoors and outdoors. Autumn in Riga is all about well-being: devouring the vitamin-rich harvest, enjoying long, salubrious strolls and feeding your soul with a double dose of art and culture. Plus, during the fall, Riga's streets become even more delightfully uncrowded.
When the air gets crisper and the days shorter, Rigas offer ample joyful activities indoors and outdoors. Autumn in Riga is all about well-being: devouring the vitamin-rich harvest, enjoying long, salubrious strolls and feeding your soul with a double dose of art and culture. Plus, during the fall, Riga's streets become even more delightfully uncrowded.
Autumn Riga restaurant Week
The Autumn Riga Restaurant Week will take place from October 28. Riga's restaurants open their doors to all gourmets who are ready to indulge in an enjoyable taste adventure. It is a feast for both sophisticated gourmets and the most simple enjoyers of life. During these days, you can safely experiment, evaluate and heartily taste the 3-course meal offers of Riga restaurants at favorable prices.
Light festival "Staro Rīga"
The "Staro Rīga" Light Festival returns to offer everyone the chance to celebrate Latvia’s Independence Day in a uniquely illuminated atmosphere. This will be the 13th time that "Staro Rīga" lights up the city, running for four nights from November 15 to 18, each evening from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
The last festival took place in 2019, and its return has been eagerly awaited, as it’s one of the capital’s most beloved and popular cultural events. The festival continues its tradition of combining the power of light and art with technology to create an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike, including guests from other Latvian cities and international tourists.
This year’s festival theme is "Time of Light," highlighting the unifying and hopeful role that light plays in society. In recent years, the world has faced numerous challenges, and the organizers have chosen a theme that encourages visitors to reflect on the values of togetherness, positivity, and a bright outlook for the future. Light, the primary medium of the artists, also becomes a symbol of hope and unity for all.
You can see the festival map and objects HERE
Opera and the ballet
If Riga had a soundtrack for autumn, it would be something as dramatic as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony: rain, wind, and unexpected sunny spring moments. It comes as no surprise that Riga's events schedule is chock-full of breathtaking opera and ballet performances. Madama Butterfly, Dracula and premiere for "Les contes d'Hoffmann" - this is only part of the full performance calendar of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet. The events section of our website has information about the future performances.
See the city from above
The red roofs of Old Riga, the luxurious Art Nouveau houses of the Quiet Center and autumn-colored parks in the middle of everything - in autumn, Riga's splendor is best appreciated from above. Fortunately, there is no shortage of viewpoints in Riga - go to the terrace of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, the tower of St. Peter's Church or the Skyline bar on the top floor of the Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija.
Go on a exhibition tour!
This fall, Riga offers several exhibitions that are definitely worth a visit. For instance, until October 31, you can explore a unique exhibition at the Museum of Fashion, "Vivienne Westwood: A Personal Collection of Clothing and Accessories." At the Latvian National Museum of Art, there's Jānis Deinats' solo exhibition "The First Five Years," which provides a documentary account of the period before Latvia regained its independence. Additionally, you can visit the legendary Latvian photographer Gunārs Binde’s exhibition "Binde 100–10" at the Latvian National Museum of Art, on display until January 19, 2025. For more details on exhibitions in Riga, check out our Events section.
Walk through Riga's parks
Enjoy how the colorful leaves rustle under your feet while taking a walk in Riga's parks. Catch postcard-worthy views at Vērmanes garden park, where the fountain has been recently restored, Bastejkalns and the nearby Kronvalda Park, and little further into Viesturdārzs, whose entrance is adorned by the grandiose Alexander Gate. Likewise, there is no lack of green spots on the left side of the Daugava - in Pārdaugava. Cast a romantic circle around the Māra pond and along the winding paths of Arkādijas Park.
Enjoy live music events
In autumn, life in Riga is bubbling in the indoor spaces of bars, restaurants and hotels, where those gathered can enjoy charming evenings of live music and who knows, maybe even show off their moves on the dance floor! Jazz lovers are invited to go to the concert venue M/Darbnīca, where talented artists perform several times a week, but Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel Lobby bar hosts free jazz concerts every Thursday. Fun and Latvian-inspired dance and live music evenings are regularly held in the "Ala Pagrabs" Folk Club, while in the bars "St.Black", Blues House and "Sidrērija" you can enjoy various concerts - from romantic acoustic to rock music concerts. Find out about other current events by going to the Events section of the LiveRiga website.
Share a slice of cake
If the weather outside the window is not pleasing, it's time to look for joy elsewhere, for example, on the plate. There are many places in Riga where you can leisurely enjoy a piece (or two) of delicious cake – “Parunāsim. Kafe'teeka'' in the very heart of Old Riga, the paradise of freshly baked confectionery delicacies "Mīkla bakery" on Dzirnavu Street and, of course, "Mulberry" with its heavenly cakes. You can get to know other delicious places for cakes and buns by visiting our guide to Riga pastry shops.
Taste the goodies of autumn
When pumpkins, lingonberries and mushrooms appear in the market assortment, it is time to discover the cook in you. For the freshest local products, go to Riga's Central market or its little brother on the left - Āgenskalns market. On Saturdays, you can also buy goods from farmers and home producers in the Kalnciema quarter. Just be warned that you will most likely leave here with a full stomach.