For tow summer days, the beating heart of Kuldīga – Latvia’s jewel in the UNESCO crown – will cheer to the rhythm of street concerts, artist happenings, secret garden gigs and chatter at the market with some pleasant surprises awaiting in the small streets of the old town.
From Shipsea and Chris Noah to The Sound Poets, Sudrabu Sirds, the soulful Kristīne Prauliņa & The Soulful Crew and the city’s own Artis Šimpermanis. The party vibe is never fully real without creative surprises for kids, dancing floor in the very old town, guided tours, artistic performances and so much more.
Expect three stages – “Adatu Stage” on Kalpaka Street offers cosy concerts between the new tech school and the old Needle Factory. “Venta Stage” by the red-brick bridge, brings popular melodies to mingle with the murmurs of the river. The “Tower Stage” beside Kuldīga’s lookout tower will pulse with DJ sets and sounds loved by the younger crowd.
We’ve got lots of other fun things planned for you during the festival! You’ll have the chance to join tours led by some of Kuldīga’s best fellows, find places in the city that really mean something to you, dance to the tunes of our top DJs, buy local crafts and tasty treats, as well as the coolest designs from Baltic designers at various markets and fairs, chill with your family in the City Garden for kids, and enjoy other awesome entertainment over the course of two days.
In the ancient courtyard of the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church, history and harmony collide in a night of classical music with Reinis Zariņš at the piano and cellists Tomass Ančs and Kristaps Grīnbergs stirring the soul.
At St Anna’s Church, guitar maestro Kaspars Zemītis will perform alongside his wife Anda in an intimate duet. Whereas, the Kuldīga Regional Museum courtyard will host the theatre troupe “Spiediens” with improvisational playfulness, while the photo exhibition “Vecpilsētas atmiņas” (Memos from the Old Town) invites you to glimpse the town’s past.
Art in the halls of power don’t pass by one of the oldest buildings in town, the old Town Hall – now home to the Regional Council. It will become a stage for musicians and artists, including cellist Aleksandra Stricelli. Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the Community House on Ventspils Street 16, Artis Šimpermanis will charm the crowd with song, dance and accordion flair.
This year as well, rhythm and blues get a boost from the local agricultural sector. On Friday 18 July at 18:30, Kristīne Prauliņa & The Soulful Crew will perform at the “Adatu Stage”, as a gift performance by “Amazone grupa lv.” The union works on joint projects since 2017. With Toms Mikāls on keys, Jānis Kalniņš on guitar, Valters Sprūdžs on bass, Kaspars Kurdeko on drums, and Kristīne Prauliņa on vocals, the band’s sound is rich, heartfelt, and rhythmically alive.
Why sit when you can dance? On Friday at 23:30, the Needle Factory Quarter becomes a dance floor as “Papīra Lidmašīnas” lift the crowd with beloved Latvian hits and international classics. From Raimonds Pauls to ACDC, they’ve got every beat covered. Presented by Bosch Car Service and SIA IMA Autoserviss, because “good service starts with good vibes and community spirit” as said Uģis Rukuts, the Board Member for SIA IMA Autoserviss, commenting on why they support local events.
On Friday 18 July at 21:30, at one of the most popular Kuldīga venues – Kaļķa Street Quarter, legendary Latvian rockers “Pērkons” take the stage, delivering a fiery set of songs that have stirred hearts for decades – Zaļā dziesma, Slidotava, Mana dienišķā dziesma and more.
On Saturday 19 July at 22:00, award-winning rapper ansis brings sharp rhymes and smooth flows in his only solo concert this summer.
Tickets: dunabrewery.com
At the Riverside café on Stendes Street 2, music meets moonlight. On Friday, 18 July Miks Dukurs sets the tone. Whereas everybody are welcome to the parking retreat on Saturday 19 July from 21:30 to 02:00, “Mazais princis” bring energy and love to the stage, while DJ Toms Grēviņš opens the evening with beats to get you dancing.
Tickets: www.bilesuparadize.lv
On both festival days, Kuldīga’s City Garden will become a magical playground of music, theatre, experiments, games and movement. There’ll be unicorn stories, sand games, giant windmills, yoga for kids, a pop-up Tiny Place playground for little ones, and even a rave just for children.
You’ve seen unicorns in stories and cartoons – but did you know Kuldīga has one of its own? A mysterious figure perched on a rooftop, it has survived since the city’s Goldingen days, when a mighty castle stood where the City Garden now blooms. Step into this tale with sand games, a giant windmill, the interactive installation “Kuldīga Unicorn”, creative workshops, movement and yoga sessions for kids, and the cosy pop-up play zone “Tiny Place” for little explorers.
Kuldīga – one for all and own for each! The festival invites you on walks led by passionate Kuldīga residents who will reveal the places that have captured their hearts and shaped their stories.
Please register in advance via the municipality’s website: www.kuldigasnovads.lv
Participation in the tours is free of charge
Explore the full Old Town Festival programme
See you in Kuldīga!
On Wednesday, 25 March, the second meeting of the (un)rest programme partners took place in Liepāja.
On Tuesday, 24 March, the “Lielais Dzintars” Concert Hall hosted the Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Conference, bringing together professionals from the tourism sector across Kurzeme.
Creative chef experiments, spring-inspired flavors, and special menus created exclusively for this occasion – Liepāja Spring Restaurant Week will take place from April 10 to April 19.