Arts and Entertainment Events in Latvia
March 21-27
Your weekly guide to concerts, exhibitions and festivals in the Latvian capital! Published every Friday morning - follow on Facebook for regular updates.
Highlight of the Week
Chug down something new at the Independent Brewers' Festival at Āgenskalns Market. Over a dozen purveyors of amber nectar showcase their wares, from traditional bitters to fruity contemporary concoctions. Saturday March 22, 11:00-19:00, free entry.
Live Music
classical
Get an earful of history at an organ concert for the 340th birthday of J.S. Bach, performed by promising conservatory students. In the Organ Hall of the Music Academy of Latvia. Friday March 21, 17:00, free entry.
Talented young Latvian organists Klāvs Liepiņš (currently in Sweden) and Jānis Pēlmanis (Berlin) play Bach on the grand organ in Riga Cathedral. Friday March 21, 19:00, tickets from 15 euros.
Men's choir Gaudeamus and organist Jānis Pelše play works by 18th century Italian composer Luigi Cherubini in St. Peter's Church. Tuesday March 25, 18:00, free entry.
Strum over to the Third Multi-String Musical Instrument Symposium, with master classes and concerts in the Music Academy of Latvia and St. Saviour's Anglican Church. March 24-25, tickets and more info.
jazz & folk
Bop along with the Toms Rudzinskis Quartet at M/Darbnīca. Thursday March 26, 20:00, tickets for 15-20 euros.
Guitar whizz Matīss Čudars blends pop and jazz and plays his own compositions at Masa gallery and culture bar, Friday March 21, 20:00, tickets are 10 euros.
blues & rock
One man band Deniz Honores plays three sets to celebrate 5 years of live gigs at Krogs Runcis. Saturday March 22, 20:00, free entry.
Comedy
International award winning funny people Danny O'Brien and Elena Gabrielle headline the Big Night Out Comedy Festival at OratoriO. Friday March 21, 20:00, tickets cost 20 euros.
Exhibitions
Be entranced by the sculptural installation and paintings in diverse materials by Pēteris Sidars in the exhibition "The Real Place in the Real Place." Riga Art Space, until March 23.
Ride over to "Galloping through thee Clouds," a show where more than 60 artists from the 19th century to today depict horses. At Art Platz, until May 11.
Ponder a retrospective of three late Soviet-era Baltic artists - Malle Leis, Maija Tabaka and Marija Terese Roženskaite in "Beyond the Frame." Contemporary Art Centre Zuzeum, until May 18.
Discover the career of architect Gunārs Birkerts, creator of Riga's "Castle of Light," at "Birkerts. Libraries. Light." National Library of Latvia, until January 17, 2026.
Tread gently through "Layers", a new exhibition by 24 Baltic glass artists at Riga's Museum of Decorative Art and Design. Until May 18.
Explore paintings, drawings and murals by contemporary artist Diāna Adamaite in "Frequencies in Space", as well as music by Kristaps Pētersons composed for Diāna's art. At Dubulti Art Station, until May 4.
Delight in "The Garden of Past Pleasures," a retrospective for Latvian contemporary master Līga Purmale. National Art Museum of Latvia, until August 10.
Get outside the box at "Painting: From Rational to Virtual. 1966-2024", a retrospective of French conceptualist Bernar Venet. Museum of Foreign Art, until April 27.
Discover beautiful works by 20th century master porcelain artist Ilga Vanaga at Riga Porcelain Museum. Until April 6.
Fun and Games
The East comes to Pārdaugava with the Asian Fare at the Saturday Kalnciems Quarter Market. It's a hands-on day, with classes in calligraphy, banzai pruning and martial arts, and delicious Oriental foods to sample. Saturday March 22, 10:00-16:00, free entry.
Food and Drink
Explore stunning Sigulda with all your senses on an unusual gastronomic tour offered by the Sigulda Tour Bus operator.
Board a bus in Riga, then check out Sigulda Zoo, followed by a culinary journey around the resort town's best eateries. Then if you can still move you get to climb the tower at Sigulda Castle and ascend to the observation deck at the mighty bobsleigh track.
The tour costs 48 euros per person plus another 10 euros at each restaurant and 7-10 euros for entry fees.
The tour will run on March 22, 26 and 29, departing at 9:00 from Caffeine cafe at Aspazijas bulvāris 24. Book here or call +371 28834422.
The tour is part of the Spring Flavours Journey, in which Sigulda-area restaurant, cafes and artisanal food producers showcase their seasonal wares. For example, the chefs at Hotel Sigulda will serve up the favourite dishes of late19th century local grandee Count Kropotkin. March 20-30, more information.
It's also a yummy time to visit Jelgava District for its Spring Gourmet Feast. Sixteen restaurants, pubs, bakeries and manors are offering seasonal menus with a twist, including courses weighing exactly 760 grams, in honour of Jelgava's 760th anniversary. March 24-30, more info and menus.
contact me
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I can take you on walks around Old Riga, the city's marvellous Art Nouveau architecture, and show you all the highlights of the Latvian capital. We can enjoy a sunny stroll in Jurmala, or a daytrip to Kemeri National Park. Or come on a drive to beautiful Kurzeme or spectacular Sigulda.
Send me a message today, and see you in Latvia!
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