Free Things to Do This Upcoming Month in Latvia
Entertainment is delightful, but it's even better when it's free. Fortunately, there are plenty of activities in Latvia that won't require you to open your wallet. Let's dive into this spring and highlight the dates and places you can mark on your calendar as planned events.
Firstly, a wonderful and free activity you can enjoy is attending city celebrations. Although most cities celebrate their anniversaries in summer, Liepaja kicks off the season by celebrating its 399th birthday already in March. From the 15th to the 18th of March, you can visit Liepaja and participate in a lot of festivities. In the evenings, there will be a light trail through the city, featuring various light installations and colorful visualizations on buildings. Free guided walking tours will be offered daily, taking you through the most historically significant sites. This will surely brighten your spring without lightening your wallet. More info about the event here.
Another option is to visit museums on the last Sunday of the month. While this doesn't apply to all museums, the Latvian National Museum of Art, located in the heart of Riga, welcomes visitors for free on every last Sunday. This is an excellent opportunity to familiarize yourself with the art and culture of Latvian and international artists. Be sure to check out other museums as well, since many offer free admission on the last Sunday of each month. More information on the Latvian National Museum is available here.
If you're interested in exploring more art from Latvian artists, the Kalnciema Quarter Gallery in Riga is organizing a pop-up art market/gallery called the "Art Hunt" for the entire month of March. Art students from universities and other emerging artists will display their works. Entrance is free, providing a wonderful opportunity to acquaint yourself with the works of new Latvian artists and connect with the most creative minds in the Latvian art scene. You can find more information here.
For those located or willing to travel north to Valmiera, mark your calendar for the 16th of March. This date celebrates the Spring Solstice, or what might be considered the pagan version of Easter. Traditional celebrations, including singing and dancing, will take place in Valmiermuiža Park, just a few kilometers from Valmiera city center. Participate in traditional activities such as egg coloring competitions and egg fights. The celebration is organized by "Gardu Muti," an initiative by local farmers and food producers, allowing you to also taste the best foods from all over Latvia. More information is available here.
Share with us in the comment section, what activities you would be interested this spring. And also if you have found a fun free of charge activity in Latvia, share with others or as Latvians say “Neturi sveci zem pūra”!