With the Summer Solstice on the horizon, Sigulda municipality offers activities to satisfy all tastes, as this year’s events will include craft markets, concerts and theatre shows, as well as partying at open-air season dancing and singing on the shortest night of the year.
Kicking off the week on 18 June, the craftsmen’s market “Summer Solstice” will take place from 10.00 on the Alexander Park Stage in Inčukalns, where you will be able to buy various crafts – wood, stone, linen dresses and tablecloths, floral decorations and wreaths, as well as various delicacies for the party table. Traditional and not-so-traditional specialities will also be available to sample at the market.
On 21 June at 19.00, the Jūdaži Library and Community Centre will host the midsummer party guests at a concert “Līgo Latvija!”, featuring singer Andris Skuja.
On 22 June at 17.00, a home producers’ market will be held in the Lēdurga Arboretum, featuring street organ, an occasion to learn the herbal folklore and to weave your own beautiful wreath. At 20.00, the Liniņi Puppet House invites you to an interactive performance “Midsummer with the Liniņi House”, and at 21.00, everyone can try their hand at making “pūdele” (a container filled with tar, decorated with oak leaves and attached atop of a pole), cheese-making and garland-making. Meanwhile, at 22.00, we will have a sunset sing-along, bonfire lighting, dancing and singing until dawn. The “pūdele” will be burnt at 24.00 in Kamolītis Park and at 2.00 the fire rafts will be lit in the Dzirnavu Lake. At 4.00 a.m., we will welcome the sunrise on the bridge of the River Aģe, the place where you can see it at the best.
On 22 June, from 17.00 to 21.00, a herbal market “Nāc nākdama, Jāņu diena” will take place at the Krimulda Cultural Centre. The herbal market will give everyone the perfect opportunity to learn how to weave wreaths, learn the secrets of making cheese rolls and taste traditional festive tarts. The market will offer a variety of Latvian-made products for beauty, health and gastronomy.
On 22 June at 21.00, in Mālpils municipality, on the islet of Mālpils Manor Pond, composer and musician Raimonds Tiguls will perform in a concert programme “Lec, saulīte!”. Ticket price – 10, 15 and 20 euros, 20% discount with Sigulda municipality ID on presale. Tickets are available at the Mālpils Culture Centre and “Biļešu paradise” box offices, including online here.
On the Līgo Eve, 23 June, at 19.00, Sigulda Castle Ruins Stage will present the already traditional performance “Skroderdienas Silmačos” by the Ogre Theatre. After the performance, at 22.00, the Midsummer Night Party will start at the Sigulda Castle Ruins Stage, welcoming the Auzāni brothers, the Līgo Orchestra and a DJ. The ticket price for both events is 10 euros, regardless of whether you attend the performance only or the ball. 20% discount with Sigulda municipality ID on pre-sale. Tickets are available at the “Biļešu paradise” box offices, including online here. Children under 7 years of age are welcome free of charge.
On 23 June, Inčukalns too welcomes you to celebrate Midsummer with Ilmārs Miķelsons and a night party at the Alexander Park Stage.
Whereas on 24 June at 18.00, the Midsummer Day event ” Jāņu lustes Morē” will kick off at the More open-air stage. Singing and jokes will take place on this day with the Dailes Theatre ensemble “Ilga” and Laila Ilze Purmaliete in the ” Krambambulis” programme. Meanwhile, the group “Mazā piektdiena” will take care of the dancing at the Midsummer Eve open-air singing and dancing party or as Latvians describe it “zaļumballe”. Sign up for some cheerful and jolly Midsummer Day “races”, like carrying wives up the hill or run for the title of the toughest dancer. If you a cheese-gourmet, perhaps you will want to try out rally for the title of the most impressive cheese eater, or you really love to sing and wish to be crowned as the best Midsummer song singer. Ticket price – 10 euros, 7 euros when using a Sigulda County ID card.
Changes in opening hours at tourist attractions during the celebration –
Sigulda County Tourism Information Centre –
June 23 – 9.00 – 16.00
June 24 – closed
Gauja National park Information Centre –
June 23 – 9.00 – 16.00
June 24 – closed
Castle of Livonian order in Sigulda –
June 23 – closed
June 24 – closed
June 23 – closed
June 24 – closed
June 23 – 09.00 – 20.00
June 24 – 09.00 – 20.00
The New Castle quarter
Jewelry Workshop Baltu Rotas –
June 23 – closed
June 24 – closed
June 23 – 10.00 – 18.00
June 24 – 10.00 – 18.00
June 23 – 10.00 – 16.00
June 24 – closed
June 23 – closed
June 24 – closed
June 23 – closed
June 24 – closed
June 23 – closed
June 24 – closed
June 23 – closed
June 24 – closed
June 23 – 10.00 – 16.30
June 24 – 11.30 – 18.30