International Sacred Music Festival

Starptautiskais Svepegas Muzikas Festivals

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MusicRiga
DatesDates TBA · Usually SummerCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsFew sacred-music festivals anywhere can
Language["lv"]Currency: EUR
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

International Sacred Music Festival in Riga

Latvia's most ambitious annual sacred-music event runs continuously since 1996, staged each late summer at St Peter's Church and the Riga Congress Hall under the State Academic Choir Latvija and artistic director Māris Sirmais. The 28th edition spans August 14 to September 5, mixing late Italian Renaissance vocal polyphony with world premieres by Latvian composers and contemporary Scandinavian, French and Estonian choral works.

Latvia's choral tradition runs deep enough to have earned UNESCO recognition through the Latvian Song and Dance Celebration, and the International Sacred Music Festival channels that same choral culture into a specifically sacred context.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few sacred-music festivals anywhere can claim three uninterrupted decades of programming, but this one has run every year since 1996 under the direction of the State Academic Choir Latvija and conductor Māris Sirmais

02

The mystery stays covered

Its scale sets it apart within Latvia's choral tradition: the 28th edition alone stretches from August 14 to September 5, giving audiences weeks rather than days of concerts

03

The city starts moving

The repertoire deliberately spans centuries, placing late Italian Renaissance polyphony beside brand-new world premieres by Latvian composers and contemporary choral works from Scandinavia, France and Estonia

04

The water draws everyone in

Held largely at St Peter's Church and the Riga Congress Hall, the festival draws on Latvia's deep choral-singing culture - the same tradition behind the UNESCO-listed Song and Dance Celebration - and channels it specifically toward sacred repertoire

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Continuous since 1996

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the festival maintains the tradition of pairing historical sacred repertoire

The sacred route

Living ritual

particularly Italian Renaissance polyphony

The local code

Living ritual

with newly commissioned Latvian choral works each year

Tradition 5

Living ritual

under the ongoing direction of the State Academic Choir Latvija and conductor Māris Sirmais

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually Summer

Getting around

For International Sacred Music Festival, plan transport around the exact Riga venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Modest, respectful attire suits the church setting at St Peter's, with smart-casual acceptable at the Riga Congress Hall concerts. Given the sacred repertoire, particularly bright or casual...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For International Sacred Music Festival, stay near the part of Riga you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

["lv"] · EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map56.95 N, 24.11 EOpen in Google Maps

Riga, Riga, Latvia

Nearest airportRIX — Riga
TransportFor International Sacred Music Festival, plan transport around the exact Riga venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor International Sacred Music Festival, stay near the part of Riga you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Riga via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Riga, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearModest, respectful attire suits the church setting at St Peter's, with smart-casual acceptable at the Riga Congress Hall concerts. Given the sacred repertoire, particularly bright or casual beachwear would feel out of place.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Latvia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is International Sacred Music Festival?

International Sacred Music Festival is listed for Multiple months · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does International Sacred Music Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Riga, Latvia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Riga, Riga, Latvia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLkoris.lv
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually Summer
Source statusOfficial source linked
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