Midsummer Celebration in Turaida

Published: 28.05.2026.

On June 21 this year, from 4:30 AM until midnight, the Turaida Museum Reserve will host Midsummer Day celebrations under the motto “Over the Little Hill” (“Pār kalniņu”), inviting visitors to experience the summer solstice from morning rituals to evening dances, intertwining ancient traditions, nature, music, and the joy of togetherness.

Midsummer Day in Turaida will begin with a special sunrise event — a greeting to the Sun and the lighting of the ritual fire, led by the Vidriži folklore group “Delve” and the ethnographic kokle ensemble “Saules meitas.” This symbolic solstice morning experience will mark the beginning of a new day and the height of summer. After the morning ritual, visitors are invited to enjoy the refined and sensitive kokle performance by Laima Jansone, as well as witness the airing of the Turaida Museum Reserve’s traditional dowry chest.

All exhibitions of the Turaida Museum Reserve will be open during Midsummer Day, and special guided tours led by museum guides will also take place.

From 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, the museum reserve grounds will host the “Midsummer Inspiration Workshop Trail,” offering diverse experiences of Midsummer traditions through singing, music-making, movement, crafts, and shared activities. Throughout the day, visitors will be able to join educational walks with ethnographer Indra Čekstere, discovering meadow plants, the landscape, and their significance in solstice traditions.

A musical atmosphere during the first half of the day, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, will be created by the workshop “Jānītis Played the Kokle,” where kokle craftsman Pēteris Jansons will introduce visitors to the sound of the kokle and the traditions of playing the instrument. In the second half of the day, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, he will also lead a workshop dedicated to Midsummer bonfires, explaining and practically demonstrating how to prepare traditional Jāņi fires.

Program

AWAKENING THE SUN

4:30 AM – 6:00 AM
Morning ritual on Jānis Hill. Awakening the Sun together with the folklore group “Delve” and the ethno-kokle ensemble “Saules meitas”

6:00 AM – 7:00 AM
Kokle performance by Laima Jansone in a morning mood concert

7:00 AM – 7:30 AM
10:20 AM – 10:50 AM
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Educational walk through the Midsummer flower meadow together with ethnographer Indra Čekstere

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
MIDSUMMER DAY inspiration workshops

Performance of linen towels from the museum collection in the apple orchard
Meetings with kokle craftsman Pēteris Jansons and folklore groups “Tarkšķi,” “Mare,” “Spruksti,” “Budēļi,” “Malībiš’,” and others
Midsummer market
Craft workshops — wreath weaving, cheese making, herb carpets, bonfire building, and more
Traditional games and a hay puppet theatre

EVENING GATHERING

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Singing of Midsummer songs and festive treats hosted by the Midsummer Mother and Midsummer Father

7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Playful and mischievous Līgo songs together with the folklore group “Mālis”

FAREWELL TO THE SUN

9:00 PM – 10:20 PM
Decorating the bonfire and sunset fire ritual together with the folklore group “Senleja”

10:20 PM – 12:00 AM
Concert by the group “Iļģi” and folk dancing together with the “Riga Folk Dance Club”

Workshops

From 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, visitors are invited to participate in weaving and braiding workshops, creating wreaths, decorations, and festive Midsummer atmosphere. The workshop trail for families will also include the games, play, and folk dance workshop “Jānītis Led the Dance,” as well as a Midsummer herb and hay puppet theatre created by Margita Poriete and her collaborators.

A special place in the program is dedicated to the “Advice Tent” of the Midsummer Mother and Midsummer Father, focused on conversations about Midsummer traditions and their meaning in modern times.

Throughout the celebration in Turaida, visitors will be able to meet several folklore groups, including “Senleja” (Sigulda), “Tarkšķi” (Iecava), “Mare” (Jūrmala), “Spruksti” and “Budēļi” (Riga), “Malībiš’” (Pāle), as well as Līga Broduža and other participants. A Midsummer market will also operate on the grounds, offering a wide variety of festive foods and treats.

In the evening, the festive atmosphere will become especially warm and unifying, as visitors are invited to join in traditional Midsummer singing and playful song exchanges together with the Midsummer Mother, the Midsummer Father, and folklore performers.

The culmination of Midsummer Day will be the sunset fire ritual, followed by a concert and folk dancing led by the group “Iļģi,” with participation from the “Riga Folk Dance Club.”