Winter Solstice Celebration

As every year, this year too the winter solstice celebration will take place in Town Hall Square in Old Riga, with the hauling and burning of logs, communal singing, dancing, and traditional games.

The log-hauling route: Town Hall Square–Grēcinieku Street–Audēju Street–Vaļņu Street–Kaļķu Street–Līvu Square–Zirgu Street–Doma Square–Jauniela–Town Hall Square.

Participants from folklore groups and festival visitors drag logs through the entire Old Town during these festivities to drive away evil spirits, promote fertility, and bring blessings to the city and its people in accordance with ancient Latvian traditions. Afterwards, they are burned in a bonfire in Town Hall Square, and with them the old year and the