FRIDAY EVENING WALK “OLD CITY”
August 21 from 17.00:24.00 PM to midnight
This year, the Friday evening walk gets a new lease of life, moving for the first time to the historical center of Ventspils – Pils Street, on the route from Rātslaukums to the intersection of Ostas Street. We will discover the special character of the Old Town – its narrow cobbled streets, ancient buildings, romantic courtyards and historical urban environment. Concerts, interactive and creative activities, art and light installations will take place at various stops along the entire walking route.
Event venues and transport restrictions MAPS
OLD TOWN VISUALS
Castle Street
Walking along the ancient Castle Street, several historic houses will symbolically open their doors of memory, revealing the destinies of people, ancient events and stories that once filled their walls.
Annas Street Courtyard and Annas Street
17:00–24:00 Craftsmen and home-made products market and "Activepark" activities for children.
Square in front of the cinema
International contemporary rhythm and jazz music festival “VENTSPILS GROOVE 2026”
Every year, the festival becomes a meeting place for young musicians and experienced artists, jointly discovering the world of contemporary rhythm and jazz music.
17.00 "Concert of Ventspils Groove 2026 participants
Ensembles of young musicians, formed specifically for the festival, will take to the stage. The concert will feature a program developed during master classes and joint creative work, reflecting the participants' professional growth, collaboration, and experience gained.
19.00 “Jazz Room: Ventspils” – concert of the festival's masterclass leaders
The concert “Jazz Room: Ventspils” will bring together internationally renowned jazz musicians and educators on one stage. The concert program will feature original music and improvisations, allowing the audience to experience the artists’ individual signature and the energy of their shared musical interplay.
20.30 “We Stop for Summer Part 2”
The concert “We Stop for Summer pt. 2” is dedicated to the creative contribution of Ventspils Music High School graduates to the Latvian and European music scene. The program will feature only the participants' original compositions arranged by Kristers Lauriņš.
22.00 Festival closing jam session
The closing jam session of “Ventspils Groove 2026” invites you to experience jazz in its purest form – spontaneous, free and unpredictable. Improvisation and interaction between musicians.
Town Hall Square
Honoring the anniversary of the great Latvian composer and pianist Maestro Raimonds Pauls, the Town Hall Square program will be dedicated to his rich musical heritage.
18.00–21.00 Graffiti art workshop Visitors will be able to creatively interpret motifs inspired by the music and personality of Maestro Raimonds Pauls, creating unique works of art.
The concert program will feature:
18.00 Pop studio "Sea pebbles"
Friday evening walks will delight visitors with rhythmic and lively performances by several age groups.
19.00 The “Organization of Friends Who Are Rarely Together” or “KREDO” performs in concert
The group will perform the music of Raimonds Pauls in the concert program “Atceries gan”. “KREDO” brings together experienced musicians whose work and members are closely connected to the legendary group “Credo”. Musician Valdis Skujiņš will also share memories of the group’s previous collaboration with Maestro.
20.30 Group “Inveids”
The band “Inveids” is a brand new three-piece band from Ventspils, whose repertoire includes energetic and popular Latvian popular music songs. The band consists of Druvis Priedēns (vocals, electric guitar), Markuss Lukševics (drums) and Roberts Kasperovičs (bass guitar).
21.30 ŽORŽS SIKSNA with the group
The charismatic Žoržs Siksna is one of the best-known and most beloved Latvian pop singers, with a musical career spanning more than four decades. His repertoire includes many beloved songs that have become classics of Latvian popular music.
Courtyard of the Art School and Crafts House
18.00–21.00 An exhibition of plein air works by students of the Ventspils Art School, created together with artist Aleksejs Naumovs.
18.00–22.00 Photo club “Moments” exhibition “Priekškars”.
20.30 Ziru amateur theater "Vērmeles" performance "Treasures" (V.Petrushevica).
Square near the Main Library
18.00–21.00 Ventspils libraries invite you to creative and educational activities for the whole family!
Main library will offer creative workshops and an exciting Kahoot a game for families with children.
Children's library will invite you to paint, cut and glue to create one of the characters from Cat's Paw Boulevard - Cat's Paw, Mousetrap or Whiskers, as well as a small stage on which the created character will be able to act.
Gāliņciems Library will offer a creative workshop "Theatre in a Box", where everyone will be able to create their own little theater world.
Parventa Library will invite to Make-a-thek bus, where it will be possible to participate Transcity in a clothing exchange, textile mosaic workshop, as well as an open clothing alteration (upcycling) and repair workshop. Visitors are invited to bring clothing they no longer wear, exchange it with others, and discover creative ways to extend the life of textiles.
Music Library, honoring the 85th anniversary of composer Imants Kalniņš, will invite you to take an exciting journey through the world of the legendary film “Emīls nedarbi”. Visitors will be treated to various tasks, games and creative activities that will allow them to immerse themselves in both Emīls' works and his misdeeds.
Akmenu Street Courtyard
18.00–21.00 Screening of the films “Captain Enrico's Clock” and “The Republic of Crow Street” in the nature cinema hall and surprises from Ventspils Tourism Information Center.
Ventspils Digital Center will offer creative activities for children.
Cinema "Rio"
18.00–21.00 Marking Cinema "Rio" 115th anniversary, visitors will be able to participate in a film detective game, view a retro cinema exhibition, and learn about the history of Ventspils cinema.
Castle Street 39
18.00–21.00 Activepark amusement area – large-format inflatable maze.
Ventspils House of Creativity
17.00–20.00 (last session) Screenings of Latvia's largest digital planetarium.
Intersection of Pils and Peldu streets
18.00–21.00 Visitors will be able to get to know State Police un State Probation Service The work of the Ventspils branch by participating in educational activities and interactive classes that promote safety awareness among families and children.
Square opposite Pils Street 60
18.00–21.00 "Activepark" amusement area – Garden games and inflatable attraction.
Livonian Order Castle Courtyard
18.00–21.00 Medieval games and Ebru art workshops will allow visitors to explore the historical environment through interactive activities, combining ancient traditions with creative activities.
Archery Club "Odyssey" The activities will give families the opportunity to test their accuracy and agility while engaging in safe and exciting sports activities.
The courtyard of the pizzeria “Prego”
18.00 21.30 Visitors are invited to visit the cozy courtyard of the pizzeria "Prego" to leisurely enjoy the evening program:
18.00 Studio “INTRO” concert
The jazz ensemble “Intro” has been operating since the late 90s under the leadership of pianist, composer and arranger Sergejs Somik, whose repertoire includes both classic jazz standards and original compositions. This time, in addition to the instrumental trio, the ensemble will also feature vocals.
19.00 Concert of the group "primsmums"
The band "pirmsmums" began its activities at Ventspils Music Secondary School, bringing together three vocalists, whose sound is complemented by electronic instruments. The band's repertoire includes both original music and arrangements of recognizable songs.
20.00 Normunds Pauniņš solo concert
Normunds Pauniņš is a Latvian singer, songwriter and leader of the band “Otra Puse”, whose creative activity in Latvian popular music spans more than thirty years. His emotional vocals and professional performance have made him one of the most recognizable figures in Latvian pop-rock music.
Lutheran Church
23.00 Ventspils vocal group night concert in the church, in which the music will be complemented by changing shades of light.
THE OLD TOWN IS GLOWING
From 9:30 p.m., the historic streets, squares, courtyards and towers of the Old Town will take on a completely different atmosphere. As dusk falls, they will be filled with light, video images, music and art performances, creating a fascinating interplay of light and darkness and allowing you to see the familiar urban environment anew. A leisurely stroll, a bit of romance, a mysterious atmosphere and a visually impressive story of the Old Town's late evening.
Livonian Order Castle Courtyard
21.30–24.00 The facade of the castle tower will be illuminated Ebru art show, in which changing and flowing water painting patterns will gradually form before the eyes of the audience. The movement of colors, shapes and textures, merging with the architecture of the historic building, will transform the castle tower into a living work of art. In a musical performance LEAGUE & BACH with a bit of folk music, electronics and meditation.
Town Hall Square
22.30–24.00 Laser graphics dressed up stories on the wall of the Lutheran Church and spotlights, which will look out from the tower onto the rooftops of the Old Town.
Akmenu Street Courtyard
21.30–24.00 The yard will transform in a lighted art space, creating a romantic and mysterious atmosphere for leisurely walks.
Video tour “Inhabitants of the Universe on the Streets of Ventspils” There will be an animation created especially for this evening, in which the drawings of the Old Town made by students of the Ventspils Art School in a plein air will be transformed into a fantasy story. In it, together with the characters of the Children's Festival - Nola, Flora, Phallus Indusiatus and the Great Writers of the Writers' House, the audience will go on a video journey through the Ventspils Old Town.
Cinema "Rio"
21.30–24.00 The windows of the cinema building will come to life old cinema stories and visual exhibits, which will allow you to explore the city's cinema history in an unusual and atmospheric atmosphere.
Castle Street 35
21.30–24.00 The facade of the building will showcase the projects implemented by the “Planets of the Little Prince” association. a collection of short films created by young people from Ventspils.
Castle Street 74
21.30–24.00 The wall of the building will be brought to life by a large-format animation projection, in which Ventspils Art School students created works will transform into moving images and landscapes, creating a unique open-air art gallery.
Square at the intersection of Pils and Peldu streets
21.30–24.00 Luminescent Art Exhibition “Peace” In the darkness of the night, it will take on a different visual effect, allowing visitors to experience contemporary art in the play of light. The accompanying audio story will encourage everyone to listen and find their own sense of peace.
As part of a longer walk, we invite you to visit:
T/N “Sea Gate” and “SILRAK” yard
22.00 the best of the best at the DJ console – DJ PM2AM & DJ ALE.MAR.
Latvian hip-hop heavyweights to perform at midnight in impressive open-air concert OAK. The event is free of charge.
Beach cafe "A place to be"
20.00 a guitarist plays music GINT'S SMUKAIS. The event is free of charge.
