Riga in winter RECREATION TIPS EVENT CALENDAR EXHIBITIONS Table of contents DISCOVER THE CITY WITH RIGA PASS! How to fall in love with Riga in winter 2 Event calendar 12 Exhibitions 32 List of venue addresses 40 RIGA TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES At the Riga Tourist Information Centre (Rātslaukums 6), you can receive more information, as well as tickets to most of the events mentioned. Rātslaukums 6 Kaļķu iela 16 +371 67037900 +371 67227444 Working hours 10:00–18:00 [email protected] www.LiveRiga.com This information has been prepared on 04.12.2019. The Riga Tourism Development Bureau is not responsible for any changes made by event organisers. Sights and objects included and recommended in this brochure are the personal view of the independent author. On national holidays (01.01.2019.), certain locations may be closed or have shortened working hours. 1 How to fall in love with Riga in winter It’s not going to be a love at first sight. Instead, like in many great love stories, the affection will grow slowly. There will be some gloomy days, but they Christmas market will be eked out with a plethora of magical moments, like walk- ing in snow-covered stillness in Get into the one of the city’s parks, taking a window seat at a café and hud- holiday mood dling over a hot drink while it’s snowing outside and revelling in all the fun outdoor activities the winter weather has to offer. There’s no better place to experience the holiday mood than the city’s central Christmas market (November 30 – January 8). Taking place at the Dome Square, the market gathers merry stallholders of all kinds. Here you can sample such traditional gifts as hand-knitted socks, candles, wooden homeware, linen and leather goods from the craftsmen themselves. As for toothsome buys, there’s such international classics as gingerbreads, roasted almonds and mulled wine sitting next to local staples like sauteed sauerkraut and grey peas with bacon. There’s also a number of street food vendors doling out khachapuri, churrros, bao buns, you name it! The mood is enhanced by frequent concerts, the fairytale backdrop and occasional snowing. 2 3 A night at the Opera Hedonic SPA Spoil yourself Opera Traviata During the cold months taking extra care for your well-being is mandatory. Luckily Riga has a handful of urban sanctuaries to rewind and recharge. For a dose of luxury head to Hedonic SPA housed in Grand Poet Hotel, for something Spend the dark long winter evenings under the ma- more homey check day spa Taka Spa. As for serious pamper- jestic chandelier of the Opera hall. The Latvian National Opera ing, there’s no better place than the five star ESPA Riga, spread and Ballet presents an exciting repertoire including such across six floors on the rights side of Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija. holiday classics as The Nutcracker as well as cutting-edge productions like the ballet Hamlet. Tell Me (No) Tales. Each year The Latvian National Opera and Ballet also host the New Year Gala concerts at the Latvian National Opera gathering world-renowned Latvian opera stars. 4 5 Relish the hearty Admire the Latvian cuisine Christmas trees Meat-centred, full of root vegetables and salubri- ous, fermented goods – the hearty and warming local cuisine is perfect for winter. Latvian cuisine inspired meals doesn’t come much better than at Valtera restaurant where the chef Valters Zirdziņš has refreshed traditional Latvian dishes with modern touches. Each ingredient is chosen by its seasonality, prove- nance and top-quality. The picture is similar in Valmiermuiža Beer Kitchen where the dishes are inspired by the Latvian nature bounty and accompanied by Valmiermuiža beer. Christmas Trees festival While Estonia and Latvia still bicker over the ques- tion where the first Christmas tree was decorated, Riga ratifies its title with an annual spectacle The way through the Christ- mas Trees festival. From December 6 till January 12 for the 10th time, the Kronvalda park and Old Town will be filled with artistic interpretations of Christmas tree made by acknowledged artists as well as students from Art Academy of Latvia. Valmiermuiža Beer Kitchen 6 7 Sharpen your blades Practice your jumps and twirls and go show them off at one of the well-appointed ice rinks set up around the city. Welcoming skating fans of every age, here you can also rent a pair of skates. The most central ice rink is located in front of Riga Congress Centre and is free of charge. Warm up with a Balzāmbārs hot Latvian tipple Red nose and feet as cold as the water in Daugava river? Skip the mulled wine and instead opt for a hot mug of Riga Black Balsam Currant. This herbal bitter enriched with blackcurrant juice will instantly give you a warm kick and a treat for the taste buds. Get it mixed with black currant juice and some bits of fruit – favorited by the locals, this cocktail spreads from laid back hangouts to fine dining venues. Even if it’s not on the menu, just ask it – they’ll make it! Skating rink by Congress Building. Photo: Zane Bitere 8 9 Porridge for Put on skis breakfast While Latvia’s landscape is as flat as a pancake, in winter there’s usually a considerable blanket of snow, which makes it fit for cross-coun- try skiing. And you don’t even need to go to the countryside as there are several skiing tracks within Riga and most of them – free of charge. The most central one, located on the left side of Daugava river, in Victory Park (Uzvaras parks) is easily accessible with tram No 1, 2 and 5. Don’t have your own equipment? Rent it on site. Porridge. Pizzeria Zaļais Maksis Do as the locals do and kick-off a cold winter day with a steaming bowl of porridge. The breakfast staple is available in a raft of cafés and comes in all kinds of varieties, such as savoury buckwheat with some cheese and veggies, or sweet oatmeal with jam and fresh berries. Unlike grab-and-go sandwiches and pastries, porridge is something that forces you to sit down and enjoy the first meal of the day unhurriedly. Cross-country ski track at Uzvaras Park 10 11 Event calendar January Old Town Christmas Christmas is approaching, and one of the signs testifying Fair to this is the Old Town Christmas Fair with sweet-smelling mulled wine, roasted almonds, glittering glazed gingerbread 01.,02.,5.-08.01. 10:00-20:00 and local handcraft. Visitors will have a chance to find their 03.-04.01. 10:00-22:00 Christmas miracle here every day. Various concerts and work- Dome Square shops are on the programme, with Santa Claus entertaining kids and adults alike. Park of Light at During winter evenings, Dzintari Forest Park transforms into Dzintari Forest Park a true fairy tale, with light decorations lit from thousands of lamps: a milky way with stars, bridges and arcs, baby animals, 01.-31.01. 16:00-22:00 elves, and many other light objects. Dzintari Forest Park and pano- ramic tower Ballet The Nutcracker New Year Gala at the The New Year Gala concerts at the Latvian National Opera Opera sparkle like Champaign. Let’s celebrate together with the most enchanting opera melodies and musical stars! 02.01. 19:00 Organ music concert Experienced Latvian organ players, as well as guests from many other countries participate in concerts of organ music. Latvian National Opera and at Riga Dome Ballet This offers an opportunity to enjoy one of the most splendid 01.01., 02.01., 03.01., 04.01., 05.01., and valuable historic organs in the outstanding acoustics of 06.01., 10.01., 17.01., 24.01., 31.01. 19:00 the Riga Dome Cathedral. The Riga Dome Cathedral organ belongs to the highest achievements of organ building of the Riga Dome Cathedral late Romanticism period and is an excellent monument to the history of music. Christmas concert The concert will feature popular classical music and tradition- "Ave Maria" al Christmas melodies. Program – J.S. Bach, W.A. Mozart, F. Gruber, F. Schubert, C. Franck, P. Mascagni. Performers: Olga 02.01. 19:00 Pyatigorskaya, soprano, Jolanta Barinska, organ. St.John’s Church in Riga Concerto Piccolo — Concerto Piccolo gives the opportunity to relish one of the enjoy the unique world’s most splendid and valuable historical organs in the sound of the Riga outstanding acoustics of Riga Dome Cathedral. The organ of the Riga Dome Cathedral is one of the greatest achievements Dome organ in 20 of the art of organ building in the late Romantic Period, mak- minutes ing it also an outstanding monument of musical history. 02.01., 03.01., 04.01., 06.01., 07.01., 08.01., 11.01., 13.01., 15.01., 18.01., 20.01., 22.01., 25.01., 27.01., 29.01., 01.02. 12:00-12:20 Riga Dome Cathedral 12 13 Opera Don Pasquale Don Pasquale, the comic opera of the bel canto genius Gaetano Donizetti, tells a story of an elderly bachelor, who is 04.01. 19:00 befooled by his doctor, doctor’s sister – a young and beautiful Latvian National Opera and widow, and the bachelor’s lovesick nephew who marries the Ballet widow in the end. In the tradition of opera buffa, the opera makes reference to the stock characters of the commedia dell’arte: Pasquale is recognizable as blustery Pantalone, Ernesto as the lovesick Pierrot, Malatesta as the scheming Scapino, and Norina as a wily Columbina.