17th Riga Oyster Festival 2026 - Berga Bazars, May 16
17th Riga Oyster Festival 2026 - the largest oyster event in the Baltics returns to Riga
In May 2026, Riga will once again become the oyster capital of the Baltics. The 17th Riga Oyster Festival will bring together thousands of gourmets, seafood lovers, and visitors who want to enjoy a special atmosphere in the heart of the city. This event has already become one of the most anticipated gastronomy events in Latvia. Each year, the festival attracts more and more guests from Latvia and abroad.
Berga Bazars will turn into a lively festival area with oysters, champagne, music, and entertainment throughout the day. During the event, visitors will be able to taste oysters from different countries and compare their flavor notes. It will be an ideal event both for a romantic date and for an evening with friends.
The festival will have a true early-summer atmosphere. Restaurant terraces will be filled with people, music, and the aroma of seafood. Professional and amateur oyster-opening competitions will also take place during the event. Visitors will be able to watch real masters at work, and many guests come specifically for these competitions.
The festival is also known for its broad street food offer. Grilled seafood, burgers, octopus, and other delicacies will be available. Organizers promise an even wider program than in previous years. Additional relaxation areas and standing tables will be set up across the venue. Children will have special creative activities, and the music program will continue throughout the day.
This is one of the rare events in Latvia where gastronomy is combined with show elements, competitions, and entertainment in one large festival. Every year, the Riga Oyster Festival strengthens its place among the most popular spring events in the capital. If you are looking for a place to enjoy atmosphere, delicious food, and an unforgettable evening, this will be one of the brightest Riga events of 2026.
When and where will the 17th Riga Oyster Festival 2026 take place?
Date: May 16, 2026
Time: 12:00-21:00
Location: Berga Bazars, near the restaurant "Burzujs", Dzirnavu Street 84, Riga.
The festival will take place in the very center of Riga, in one of the city’s most elegant and atmospheric locations. Berga Bazars traditionally becomes a large gastronomy and entertainment area with restaurant terraces, music, and activities throughout the day.
What to expect at the festival
Visitors can expect:
- 12 different types of oysters
- A seafood street food area
- Grilled dishes
- The Latvian Oyster Opening Championship
- Professional and amateur duels
- DJ sets and live music
- Illusionist and mime performances
- Children’s creative workshops
- VIP tables with champagne
- Restaurant terraces and relaxation areas
Thousands of oysters are planned to be opened during the festival. In previous years, this event has been called the largest oyster festival in the Baltics and one of the largest in Europe.
17th Riga Oyster Festival 2026 program
12:00 - Festival opening
The festival area opens. The first oyster tastings begin, the street food area and restaurant terraces start operating, and a DJ warms up the atmosphere with a music program.
12:30 - Oyster tastings and masterclasses
Professional oyster masters will demonstrate oyster-opening techniques and talk about oyster origins and flavor differences.
13:00 - Latvian Oyster Opening Championship
The main event of the festival. Professional oyster openers from Latvia and the Baltic countries will take part in the competition.
14:00 - Professional speed-opening duels
Oyster masters will compete in speed and precision. This is one of the audience’s favorite parts of the festival.
15:00 - Amateur competition
Visitors will also be able to test their oyster-opening skills and take part in the contest.
16:00 - Street food and grill program
The menu will include:
- Grilled octopus
- Lobsters
- Shrimp burgers
- Various seafood dishes
- Grilled snacks
17:00 - Live music and entertainment program
DJs and special guests will take care of the atmosphere. In previous festivals, illusionists, mimes, and musicians have performed.
18:00 - Children’s creative workshops
For the youngest visitors, there will be:
- Painting oyster shells
- Face painting
- Creative activities
- Games and contests
19:00 - Evening tastings and champagne zone
In the evening, special attention will be given to oyster and champagne pairings. VIP areas will offer an exclusive atmosphere.
21:00 - Festival closing
Latvian Oyster Opening Championship
The Latvian Oyster Opening Championship attracts special attention every year. The competition evaluates:
- Speed
- Precision
- Oyster presentation
- Technique
In previous years, the festival has been hosted by world oyster speed-opening champion Renars Purmalis.
VIP tables and reservations
Visitors will have the opportunity to reserve VIP tables at the restaurant "Burzujs" or on nearby terraces.
The VIP offer usually includes:
- A table for 4 people
- A bottle of champagne
- Service
- A view of the festival’s main area
Festival entry
Entry to the festival is free. Prior registration is not required.
Why visit the Riga Oyster Festival 2026?
This is not just a food event. It is a true feeling of the opening of the summer season in the center of Riga. The festival combines gastronomy, entertainment, music, and the excitement of competition in one major event. Even people who do not usually eat oysters often taste them here for the first time and discover new flavors. The event is suitable both for gourmets and for families with children. The atmosphere of Berga Bazars gives the festival a special elegance and a European big-city feeling. If you plan to visit only one gastronomy festival in Riga in spring 2026, the 17th Riga Oyster Festival will definitely be one of the brightest candidates.