Valgunde Parish Festival “Sweet 80s” - Valgunde (Jelgava Municipality), May 30-31, 2026

Valgunde Parish Festival “Sweet 80s” - Valgunde (Jelgava Municipality), May 30-31, 2026

The Valgunde Parish Festival “Sweet 80s” will take place in Valgunde on May 30 and 31, 2026, inviting visitors to celebrate with the atmosphere of the 1980s and a sense of togetherness. The festival venue is the Valgunde Parish Community House in Valgunde. The opening of the festival is scheduled for 11:00 with active movement — disco exercise and dancing. Throughout the day, conversations and activities are planned to involve both local residents and guests. The program includes a discussion on the theme of participation together with representatives of the Valgunde Parish residents’ council. There will also be sports activities, workshops, and a shared knitting activity featuring the most popular patterns of the 1980s together with participants of the “All-Latvia Knitters’ Gathering”. At 15:00, singer Rūta Dūduma will invite visitors to a concert. Inside the Community House, Kalnciems Museum will offer an exhibition about celebrations in Valgunde village and the collective farm in the 1980s. The event will also feature a home-producers’ market, a cafe, and activities for children.

Festival Program and Times

Saturday, May 30

• 11:00 - Disco exercise and dancing, Valgunde Parish Community House.
• 15:00 - Concert (Rūta Dūduma), Valgunde Parish Community House.

Concerts and Artists

The Saturday concert program will feature a meeting with singer Rūta Dūduma, who will invite visitors to a concert at 15:00 at the Valgunde Parish Community House. The festival atmosphere is built around an 80s theme, so the concert and daytime activities are planned as a unified experience of movement, conversation, and creativity.

Venues and Practical Information

The festival will take place in Valgunde, at the Valgunde Parish Community House (Saules iela 2). Visitors can enjoy various daytime activities in one place — both indoors and in the festival area near the Community House. During the event, a home-producers’ market and a cafe will be open, and there will also be activities for children. Inside the Community House, visitors will be able to view an exhibition created by Kalnciems Museum about celebrations in Valgunde village and the collective farm in the 1980s.

Why It Is Worth Visiting

This festival is a good opportunity to enjoy movement and dancing at the opening, a concert with Rūta Dūduma, and the feeling of coming together in the rhythm of a small town, all in one day. The 80s theme gives the festival a special mood and invites visitors to remember the stories, symbols, and traditions of that era. The creative workshops and shared knitting activity allow visitors to take part practically, not only watch from the sidelines. The discussion on participation offers a chance to meet parish activists and learn more about the local community. The exhibition complements the program with a historical perspective on 1980s celebrations in Valgunde. The home-producers’ market, cafe, and children’s activities help the whole family enjoy the festival.