This weekend, on May 24 and 25, the XXI “Līvas ciema svētki” will take place in Liepāja – the largest intangible cultural heritage event in Kurzeme, which also marks the beginning of the summer season in Liepāja.
Over two days, residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a vibrant cultural program, shop at the artisan market, take part in creative workshops, have fun in the playground, and savor local delicacies — all in Zvejnieku aleja and Seaside Park.
This year, “Līvas ciema svētki” is special for two important reasons — it is held during Liepāja’s 400th anniversary year and also serves as the venue for the XXIV Latvian Folk Music Festival, organised by the Latvian National Centre for Culture in cooperation with Liepāja Municipality. The Folk Music Festival will take place on Saturday, May 24, across all three stages of the “Līvas ciema svētki”.
The festival kicks off at 10:45 with a participants’ procession from Vites iela to the Main Stage in Seaside Park, where a folklore group will greet them with songs. At 11:00, the opening concert of the Folk Music Festival begins, featuring Latvian folk music ensembles and bands, along with guests from Lithuania. Throughout the day, 24 folk music groups will perform on three stages.
At 13:00, visitors are welcome to an instrument workshop in Seaside Park, where they can explore traditional musical instruments and their sounds.
From 12:40, children’s, youth, and senior dance groups from Liepāja and Aizpute will perform on the Main Stage.
The second day of “Līvas ciema svētki” opens at 11:00 on the Main Stage with a concert performance for children and families, “Brīnumskapis”. Later, the Latvian Ecological Music Orchestra and an ethno-rock group will bring an uplifting musical atmosphere.
More than 200 merchants will offer their goods at the “Līvas Market” throughout both days, with a special focus on craftspeople and artists who continue to use traditional techniques — and innovate new ones — in creating unique works of jewelry, wood and metal crafts, ceramics, textiles, traditional cuisine, design, and more.
A key part of the festival is the master workshops, where craftspeople share their knowledge and skills, inspiring visitors to explore and create. Attendees will also have the opportunity to try on a national costume and take a photo in it.
The workshop square will showcase the creativity of Liepāja’s younger generation, with products by students from the Liepāja School of Education and Liepāja State Technical School available for viewing and purchase.
As always, the festival is family-friendly — the “Game Yard” will be open both days, offering a range of fun, creative, and educational outdoor activities, including giant-format “Nature Games”. In the “Carpenter’s Workshop”, visitors of all ages can try traditional hand tools alongside skilled woodworkers — sawing with a two-handed saw, planing, gluing, carving a trough, or driving dowels. Everyone is welcome to create their own wooden souvenir to take home.
Within the festival area, guests can also test their sense of balance on the Liepāja 2027 collaboration bench-swing — a space for conversation, relaxation, reflection, and capturing memorable photos.
You’re warmly invited to “Līvas ciema svētki” on Saturday, May 24, from 11:00 to 18:00, and Sunday, May 25, from 11:00 to 15:00. The festival takes place in Zvejnieku aleja and the surrounding area of Seaside Park.