Riga’s 825th Birthday Celebrations

Pre-birthday events

Before the main Riga 825 celebrations, the city will already come alive in early August with a series of pre-festival events across different neighbourhoods. From open-air concerts and theatrical performances to creative workshops and community celebrations, these events offer the perfect opportunity to experience Riga’s festive spirit ahead of the city's biggest celebration.

On 1 August, the festivities begin with the unveiling of Riga’s new summer mural on E. Smiļģa Street 46 and the Left Bank Festival in Victory Park. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy creative workshops, sports activities, performances, live music by emerging Latvian artists, and a food zone featuring participants of the European Street Food Awards Latvia. The evening programme includes performances by Aija Andrejeva and a special concert by Gustavo & Orchestra Riga.

On 7 and 8 August, Dome Square will host the Latvian National Theatre’s open-air production "Rebellious Riga", a lively musical performance for the whole family inspired by the famous Calendar Riots of 16th-century Riga.

The pre-celebration programme continues on 8 August with the Right Bank Festival in Grīziņkalns Park, featuring live music, family-friendly activities, creative workshops, and entertainment throughout the day, inviting visitors to explore Riga’s neighbourhoods before the city's grand birthday celebrations begin.

Birthday Celebrations Kick Off at Town Hall Square

Riga’s 825th birthday celebrations will begin on the evening of 14 August with an open-air electronic music concert in Town Hall Square. From 21:00 until 01:00, visitors can enjoy a contemporary and immersive musical journey blending atmospheric electronica, electronic pop, melodic house, synth-pop, and emotionally charged dance music.

The line-up features performances by Sign Libra, Evija Vēbere, Lithuanian electronic duo Solo Ansamblis, and Latvian act Oil X Gas, setting the tone for a weekend of celebrations in the heart of Riga’s Old Town.

Riga's birthday

On 15 August, Riga’s 825th Birthday celebrations will take over 11 November Embankment, the Old Town, Vērmanes Garden, Victory Park, Eksporta Street, Esplanade, the area around the Riga Congress Centre, and Opera Square, offering a vibrant programme for visitors of all ages.

The heart of the celebrations will be 11 November Embankment, where visitors can enjoy creative workshops, street food, picnic areas, market stalls, and family-friendly activities throughout the day. The programme also includes the Red Bull Showrun on Eksporta Street, while the main stage will feature performances by Auļi, Atvara, Citi Zēni, Ozols, Alejas, and Sudden Lights. The evening culminates with the specially created anniversary concert "My Riga Score", bringing together Shipsea, Aija Andrejeva, Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, Jānis Aišpurs, Jurģis Namejs, the choirs Kamēr... and Ave Sol, and musicians from Sinfonietta Rīga. The performance will be enhanced by dancers, parkour artists, bike trials, and roller-skating performers. After the concert, the Daugava will become the stage for a spectacular multimedia show combining lasers, fountains, video projections, and music, followed by a late-night party with DJs Linda Samsonova and Magnuss Eriņš.

Throughout the day, Riga Old Town will transform into a vibrant European cultural stage, where street musicians, jazz bands, classical performers, percussionists, mimes, clowns, and Butoh performers will fill its streets and squares with music and visual art. Dome Square will host the traditional Crafts Market, featuring authentic handmade products from artisans across Latvia.

Vērmanes Garden will become a lively meeting place celebrating cultural diversity, with daytime programmes presented by foreign embassies and Riga’s partner cities. The evening concerts will feature Le Petit Paris, Diāna Pīrāgs, Roberto Meloni & Friends, and Big Al & the Jokers.

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.

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.

Fusion of light, water, and music

Experience a spectacular fusion of light, water, and music on the banks of the Daugava River. As the grand finale of Riga’s 825th birthday celebrations, visitors will be treated to a special multimedia show where laser beams, dancing fountains, video projections, and a carefully curated soundtrack come together in a unique tribute to the city.

Staged directly on the waters of the Daugava, the performance will transform the river into an extraordinary open-air stage, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Blending modern technology, visual art, and music, this dazzling show promises to be one of the highlights of Riga’s birthday celebrations.

“Discover the Wonder!” at Victory Park

At Victory Park, the event “Discover the Wonder!” will invite visitors to experience spectacular street arts performances throughout the day. The programme begins with a children’s show, interactive games, and a family disco, while from 15:00 until midnight, the park will come alive with performances by renowned street artists from the United Kingdom, Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, and Hungary.

Riga Birthday Restaurant

Food lovers are invited to Opera Square on 14 and 15 August, where the Riga Birthday Restaurant will open its doors as part of the city’s anniversary celebrations. This special pop-up venue will bring together the flavours of Riga, local culinary talent, and a welcoming festive atmosphere in the heart of the city.

Over two days, visitors can enjoy a diverse selection of food and drinks, live musical performances, and a relaxed setting that celebrates Riga through its gastronomy, creativity, and vibrant community. Whether stopping by for lunch, dinner, or a drink with friends, the Riga Birthday Restaurant offers a delicious way to be part of the celebrations.

Red Bull Showrun Latvia

This summer, on 15 August, Riga will become louder, faster, and more exhilarating than ever before. As part of the city’s 825th birthday celebrations, Riga will host the Red Bull Showrun for the very first time – a unique motorsport spectacle bringing world-class machines, elite athletes, and high-octane energy directly into the heart of the city.

This is where motorsport leaves the racetrack and takes over the streets. Expect roaring engines, drifting tyre smoke, and an adrenaline-fuelled atmosphere unlike anything else in Riga.

What to expect?

Red Bull Showrun offers a rare opportunity to witness motorsport icons up close. A genuine Red Bull Formula 1 car will take to the streets alongside thrilling drift, rally, and MotoGP demonstrations. For two action-packed hours, Eksporta Street will transform into a live motorsport arena, showcasing precision driving, speed, and technical mastery.

Riga Becomes the Track

14 August – Red Bull Showrun Village
Get up close to the vehicles, meet the drivers and riders, and experience the excitement before the main event. The Showrun Village on Eksporta Street will offer fans an exclusive look behind the scenes.

15 August – Red Bull Showrun
14:00–16:00
Eksporta Street (between Elizabetes Street and Vanšu Bridge)

The main event takes over the city with a two-hour motorsport showcase featuring Formula 1, drifting, rally, and motorcycle performances in a spectacular urban setting.

As one of the highlights of Riga’s 825th birthday celebrations, Red Bull Showrun promises an unforgettable experience for motorsport enthusiasts and first-time spectators alike.