Riga’s 825th Birthday Celebrations

On 15 August, Riga will celebrate its 825th anniversary, inviting residents and visitors alike to join a city-wide celebration across the Old Town, the 11 November Embankment, and other locations throughout the capital. This year’s theme, “Open Riga! Code: 825”, encourages everyone to rediscover the city’s stories, people, and cultural diversity.

Riga birthday

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.

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.

More info coming soon!