Riga’s 825th Anniversary Celebrations Attract Around 300,000 People

This year, Riga is celebrating its 825th anniversary, and on August 15 the celebrations reached their peak at the 11 November 11 Embankment and at other locations throughout the city. According to the organizers’ estimates, around 300,000 Riga residents and visitors attended celebrations marking Riga’s birthday.

“Riga’s birthday celebrations were fantastic. I can still feel the emotions and hear the positive feedback today, that is why I want to express my huge thanks to everyone involved in creating the celebrations. An event of this scale cannot be put together in just one month, it is the result of an enormous amount of work. The celebrations are planned throughout the entire year, and the team has truly done an amazing job!

From the ‘Vecrīga’ cake phenomenon and the Opera’s outdoor restaurant, for which I would like to thank the Investment and Tourism Agency of Riga, to the light show and concert on the 11November Embankment, everything was 10 out of 10!

On Riga’s birthday, mayors from other cities came to visit me and, you know, they were all envious of our celebrations and of many other things our city has but that their cities lack.

And that is also my conclusion after this week: we need to be prouder of what we have ourselves, say more positive things to one another, and travel out into the world to tell people about and be proud of Latvia and Riga.

The celebrations will continue throughout August in both smaller and larger formats. Look for events at rigasvasara.lv, and see you there,” invites the Chairman of the Riga City Council Viesturs Kleinbergs.

The celebrations of Riga’s 825th anniversary were carefully planned and prepared. A team of top-level professionals worked on the programme for at least a year in advance ensuring that both Riga residents and visitors could enjoy the festivities, and the thorough work has truly borne fruit.

The Riga celebrations have been a great success, and I would like to thank my colleagues in the Culture Commission, the Culture Board, the Investment and Tourism Agency of Riga, as well as, of course, the creators, directors, producers and participants behind the celebrations for the scope and diversity of celebrations.

I think it is worthwhile that Riga actually celebrates not just for one or two days, but throughout the entire birthday month.

Yes, the clear culmination of the festivities takes place over one weekend, but events continue throughout August, giving a very broad audience – both from all over Latvia and visitors from abroad – the opportunity to experience Riga and its unique atmosphere.

Our Riga is rich in traditions while at the same time modern, beautiful and energetic. We proved that both to ourselves and to our guests during these celebrations,” notes Vilnis Ķirsis, Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council.

The celebrations of Riga’s 825th birthday clearly demonstrated that Riga is a lively, dynamic and welcoming city that brings together both its residents and visitors. The festive restaurant at the Opera was particularly popular, with visitors enjoying food, drinks and a special festive atmosphere in the heart of the city.

The festive atmosphere will continue throughout August, with the city hosting concerts, cultural and sporting events. Riga’s international recognition is also continuing to grow. In August alone, we have so far welcomed around 50 international influencers and journalists, and the number of visitors continues to increase.

In the second half of August, Riga will also host several internationally significant events – the ‘Simple Session Street Series’ on August22–23, the ‘ROW Baltics’ street art festival on August 22 in Sarkandaugava, as well as Fantadroms – Riga’s International Kite Festival on August 29.

“Events like these attract visitors from abroad, increase Riga’s international visibility and strengthen the city’s position as an attractive European tourism and culture destination,” says Fredis Bikovs, Director of the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency.

The festivities took place at 11 November Embankment, in the Old Town, in Vērmanes Garden, Uzvaras Park, on Eksporta Street, at Esplanade, by the Riga Congress Hall and at other locations. Riga’s birthday programme was enriched by the Red Bull Showrun – a unique motorsport spectacle. Following the concert, audiences could watch a musical light show illuminating the waters of the Daugava, while Djs kept the celebrations going into the night.

The total number of unique visitors to the “Riga Summer” website reached 175,683 users.

All Riga birthday events ensured accessibility for visitors with mobility impairments. Visitors with hearing impairments were also able to experience the concert narrative “Open Riga! Code: 825” at the 11 November Embankment.

The festive month continues with Musical Park programmes on the Dzegužkalns stage, in the park of Ziemeļblāzma Palace, in Vērmanes Garden and in the Kalnciema Quarter, as well as with events taking place as part of the Street Art Month in Sarkandaugava.

At the end of August, on August 29, the traditional culture festival “Rīga Rada” will take place at the newly established traditional culture and crafts centre “Īrga” at Jauniela 29A. The same day, the Ancient Fire Night will be held at Vakarbuļļi Beach.

This is how the city of Riga sounds, breathes and pulses – open, vibrant and free!

More information about Riga’s summer and birthday events is available also in the “Riga Summer” mobile app, and on Riga City Council’s social media channel, “Riga”.