Rīgas Ritmi Jazz Festival
Twenty-five years of jazz and world music in the Cathedral garden and a handful of the city’s better rooms.
Quick Answer
Rīgas Ritmi is Riga’s established jazz and world music festival, running for over 25 years and usually held in early July. The main stage is the Riga Cathedral Garden (Doma dārzs) in Old Town, with smaller stages at the Noass cultural centre and hotel lounges around the centre.
What It Is
Rīgas Ritmi has been running for more than a quarter of a century and has quietly become the reason Riga appears in international jazz guides at all. Across its history it has hosted roughly 750 musicians across more than a thousand concerts, drawing over a quarter of a million visitors — substantial numbers for a city this size, and a sign the festival is a fixture rather than a novelty.
The programming mixes established international names with Latvian and regional artists, and leans broader than straight jazz — world music, soul and improvised music all sit comfortably in the line-up. That breadth makes it an easy festival to attend even if you would not describe yourself as a jazz person.
Where It Happens
The centrepiece venue is the Riga Cathedral Garden (Doma dārzs) — the courtyard beside the Dome Cathedral in Old Town, which is where the largest concerts are staged. Smaller and later sets run at the Noass cultural centre on the Daugava, and at hotel lounges including the Riga Jazz Lounge at the Radisson Blu Latvija and the Fenikss Lounge at the Aston Hotel Rīga. Masterclasses with visiting artists have been held at Latvian Radio Studio 1.
Planning a Trip Around It
Early July is peak season, so the usual August-adjacent booking advice applies — see our flight timing guide and book accommodation ahead. Because the main venue is inside Old Town, staying in or near Old Town or the Quiet Centre puts you within walking distance of every stage. If you are in Riga for the music, our nightlife guide covers the live-music venues that run year-round, and the events calendar shows what else lands in July.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rīgas Ritmi?
Rīgas Ritmi is Riga's principal jazz and world music festival, running for over 25 years. It has hosted around 750 musicians across more than 1,000 concerts and draws international and Latvian artists to venues across the city centre.
When is the Rīgas Ritmi festival?
It is usually held in early July — the 2025 edition ran 2–5 July. Exact dates are announced annually by the organisers, so check rigasritmi.lv before booking travel around it.
Where is Rīgas Ritmi held?
The main stage is the Riga Cathedral Garden (Doma dārzs) in Old Town. Additional stages have included the Noass cultural centre on the Daugava, the Riga Jazz Lounge at the Radisson Blu Latvija, and the Fenikss Lounge at the Aston Hotel Rīga.
Is Rīgas Ritmi worth attending if I'm not a jazz fan?
Probably, yes. The programming reaches well beyond straight jazz into world music, soul and improvised music, and the Cathedral Garden setting in Old Town is a draw in itself. It is a city-centre festival rather than a field, so it fits easily into a normal Riga trip.
Planning a July trip?
Last updated: August 2026. Festival dates, venues and line-ups are set annually by the organisers — confirm current details at rigasritmi.lv before booking around specific performances.