In Jūrkalne, on the longest day and shortest night of the year, the most colorful Latvian annual holiday – the Summer Solstice – will be celebrated for the 16th time. Jūrkalne Ugunspļava has become one of the central places for solstice celebrations not only in Kurzeme, but also throughout Latvia.
The Midsummer Fire is lit in Ugunspļa, and the people of Ventspils region – Suiti, Livonians and Ventiņi – invite the children of Midsummer to gather from near and far to experience the magic of the solstice together through ancient Latvian rituals, songs and symbolic fire rituals.
As the sun sets, a fire wheel is rolled from the steep shore into the sea, a fire mill turns at midnight, and the festivities continue until dawn.
Event program “Summer Solstice in Jūrkalne Ugunspļava”: 21.06.2025.
20.00 Welcoming of the Līgotāji and a concert by folklore groups, with songs, games and Līgotāji traditions. Ugunspļava, stage
20.00 – 22.00 Creative workshops and master classes (wreath weaving, cheese tying, weaving frames from natural products, baking sklandrauši, making solstice tea, etc.). at the Windmill House. (between the Windmill House and Ugunspļava
21.25 Bonfire burning and rituals. In Ugunspļava.
21.40 March to the sea.
22.00 – 22.35 Concert of Ventspils region middle-aged and youth dance groups down by the sea. Sunset.
22.35 Launching of the firewheel down from the steep bank. Central beach, platform
22.50 Burning of the poodle. In Ugunspļava.
23.00 – 00.00 Concert of the music group “Jauno Jāņu orķestris”. Ugunspļava, stage
00.00 Turning of the firemill. At the Windmill House
00.15 – 02.00 Solstice dances together with the ethno company “Zeidi”. Ugunspļava
