Michaelmas 2026 in Riga and Latvia: event programmes, times and traditions

In 2026, Michaelmas falls on Tuesday, 29 September, but most public harvest festivals and fairs will take place on the weekends between 19 September and 4 October. This guide brings together events in Riga and elsewhere in Latvia that had been publicly announced by 16 September 2026. All times are based on the latest public information from the organisers.

Important: where an organiser has not announced separate performance times for individual artists, the programme below gives the overall event time and clearly notes that the activities will take place during the event. Check the organiser’s link before travelling, as outdoor events may be affected by weather or programme updates.

Michaelmas events in Riga

Michaelmas Fair in Dome Square — 26 September

Venue: Dome Square, Old Riga. Admission: free.

• 09.00–17.00 — autumn harvest fair featuring Latvian fruit, vegetables, berries, cheese, bread, honey, other homemade produce and handicrafts.
• 09.00–17.00, throughout the day — stage programme. Announced performers: brass band “Fanfara”, children’s vocal ensemble “Momo”, folk dance ensemble “Dancītis”, Orchestra “Rīga”, “Knīpas un Knauķi”, middle-generation folk dance group “Sidrabi”, family folklore studio “Garataka”, “Dejotprieks”, folklore group “Kokle”, dance group “Marmale” and band “Lauku muzikanti”. The programme will be hosted by Dita Apsīte and Mārtiņš Jaunslavietis. Performance times for the individual groups have not yet been published.

Sources: Riga City Council and LiveRiga.

Michaelmas in the Small Guild Garden — 27 September

Venue: Small Guild Garden, 5 Amatu Street, Old Riga. Admission: free.

• 12.00 — celebrations begin with the women’s folklore group “Vilcenes”.
• From 12.00, during the event — folk songs, games, Michaelmas beliefs and customs, and a celebration of the autumn harvest. The organiser’s announcement does not specify an end time.

Source: Riga City Council.

“Thank You, Miķelis!” at the Imanta Cultural Centre — 27 September

Venue: courtyard of the Imanta Cultural Centre, 29 Anniņmuižas Boulevard. Admission: free.

• 12.00–15.00 — Michaelmas market, bread-baking masterclass, clay, blacksmithing and butter caramel workshops, plus games and activities for younger children.
• 12.00–15.00, during the stage programme — the Zīļuks theatre’s musical production for children “The Bremen Town Musicians”, Michaelmas rituals and games, and a concert programme by the contemporary folk music group “Laiksne”. Separate stage times have not been published.

Source: Riga City Council.

“Let Us Gather and Sing as We Await Michaelmas!” in Mežaparks — 27 September

Venue: Kokari Hall, pavilion and outdoor area of the Mežaparks Great Bandstand, 11 Ostas Avenue. Admission: free.

• 12.00 — the event and Michaelmas market begin.
• 12.00–16.00 — creative workshops, competitions, children’s games, sporting activities and DJ VinK, as well as a soap-making workshop.
• 12.00–15.00, during the programme — social dancing with “Rīgas Danču klubs” and the dance groups “Staro” and “Bitīte”. Exact performance times have not been announced.
• 15.00 — closing concert by the post-folklore group “Ogas”.
• 16.00 — event ends.

Source: Riga City Council.

Michaelmas at the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum — 27 September

Venue: 21 Brīvdabas Street, Riga. The event is accessible with a museum admission ticket; check current ticket prices on the museum website before visiting.

• 10.00–17.00 — Michaelmas market with 49 craftspeople and 35 home food producers, autumn harvest soup cooking, farm animals at the Kurzeme farmstead, demonstrations by blacksmith Artūrs Purviņš, and exhibitions.
• 10.00–16.00 — children’s workshops “What Is Hidden in the Pantry?” and “Clay Masterpieces” at the Vidzeme farmstead.
• 10.00–17.00, during the festive programme — family performance “Who Will Protect the Little Hare?”, autumn harvest rituals with Julgī Stalte and “Skandinieki”, dancing and music with “Dandari” and “Grodi”, as well as traditional songs and games with “Mares” and the children’s folklore group “Spruksti”. Times for the individual performances have not been published.

Source: Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum.

Michaelmas events elsewhere in Latvia

Valmiermuiža — 19 September

Venue: Valmiermuiža Park and surrounding area, Valmiera Municipality. Admission: free.

• 11.00–15.00 — market for home producers and craftspeople, traditional skills workshops, a traditional music concert, horse rides and the Valmiermuiža carousel.
• 11.00–15.00, during the event — a special Michaelmas festive lunch menu at the Valmiermuiža beer kitchen. Start times for the individual activities have not been published.

Source: Visit Valmiera.

Ludza Old Town Square — 26 September

Venue: 42 Baznīcas Street, Ludza.

• 08.00–14.00 — Michaelmas market with home producers, craftspeople, farms and food producers from the local area and other municipalities, as well as growers of plants, flowers and garden produce. No separate stage programme has been announced.

Source: Ludza Municipality.

Rēzekne — 27 September

Venue: Latgales Street and the intersection of Latgales and Tiņanova streets. Event theme: “Come to Michaelmas to trade and celebrate cucumbers!”.

• 10.00–15.00 — Grand Autumn Fair.
• 10.00 — brass band “Rēzekne” at the market gate; folk band “Bumburnieicys” at the intersection of Latgales and Tiņanova streets.
• 10.40 — sketch programme “Country Miķelis’s Colourful Autumn” by the amateur theatre “Apiņš”.
• 11.20 — instrumental ensemble “Sveicynojam, vielējam”.
• 12.00 — grand concert featuring Rēzekne’s amateur singing and dancing groups.
• 10.00–15.00, during the event — “Cucumber King and Queen” competition, celebration and tasting of cucumber dishes, and an art stop by the Latgale branch of the Art Academy of Latvia.

Source: the organisers’ programme published by Rēzeknes Ziņas.

Jēkabpils — 27 September

Venue: Krustpils Open-Air Stage, Krustpils Islet.

• 09.00 — market opens.
• 10.00 — music and festive programme begins.
• 09.00–15.00, during the event — songs and dances, children’s activities, animals from the “Strauss” farm, horse rides with horses from the Stulpiņu farm, sporting activities, the Heaviest Pumpkin competition and an Umurkumurs pole.
• 15.00 — fair ends.

Source: Jēkabpils Culture Department.

Jaunpils — 27 September

Venue: square by Jaunpils Castle. Admission: free.

• 09.00–15.00 — Michaelmas fair featuring the autumn harvest, goods from local producers and handicrafts.
• 09.00–15.00, during the cultural programme — music programme featuring a performance by Viktors Lapčenoks. The exact concert start time has not been published.

Source: Tukums Municipality tourism information.

Kandava — 27 September

Venue: Kandava Old Town Square and Promenade. The carrot will be the autumn crop honoured in 2026.

• 09.00 — Michaelmas market begins.
• 09.00–14.00 — time listed in the municipal cultural calendar for the public Michaelmas programme on the Promenade.
• 10.30–12.15 — performance “Tobias Is Dead... Long Live Tobias” on the Promenade.
• Until 17.00 — market closing time stated in the vendor application announcement. As two organiser listings give different end times, visitors should verify the time before travelling.

Source: Visit Kandava.

Ķegums — 4 October

Venue: Liepu Avenue, Ķegums. The Michaelmas fair is combined with the Bread and Meat Festival.

• 09.00–14.00 — market featuring seasonal produce and goods from home producers, craftspeople and manufacturers.
• 11.00 — Bread and Meat Festival begins, with tasting of competition entries and visitor voting.
• 12.00 — prizes awarded to the winners of the tastiest bread and meat competition.
• 09.00–14.00, during the event — children’s Michaelmas festivities and games with a folklore group.

Source: Ogre Municipality.

What does Michaelmas mean?

Miķeļi, or Michaelmas, is the festival marking the end of the autumn harvest in the Latvian seasonal calendar. Its traditional date is 29 September, although modern public events are most often held on the nearest weekend for convenience. Michaelmas is associated with apjumības — the end of the grain harvest — and Jumis, a symbol of fertility. Historically, this was a time to give thanks for the harvest, hold a feast and market, and obtain food and handicrafts for the winter.

Autumn produce, bread, honey, cheese, crafts, songs, dances, games and family workshops remain at the heart of Michaelmas markets. Riga’s 2026 programme makes it particularly easy to combine the Saturday fair in Dome Square with one of Sunday’s celebrations.

Quick planning guide

• Largest free market in central Riga: Dome Square on 26 September, 09.00–17.00.
• Broadest traditional setting in Riga: Open-Air Museum on 27 September, 10.00–17.00; a museum ticket is required.
• For families with young children: Imanta, 12.00–15.00, or Mežaparks, 12.00–16.00.
• Most detailed announced stage programme outside Riga: Rēzekne on 27 September, 10.00–15.00.
• Earliest market opening: Ludza on 26 September at 08.00.

Information checked on 16 September 2026. Programmes may be expanded or changed; the event organiser is always the definitive source.