On July 5, we will celebrate the Sea Festival in Ventspils. The new section of the Ostas Street Promenade will be transformed into a bustling and vibrant epicenter of the festivities. Highlights include Neptune’s grand arrival, musical performances by popular artists, a competition for the title of the tastiest fish soup, creative activities, and engaging entertainment for all ages.
July 5, Saturday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Sea Festival Fair /Old Town Market Square/
Day 2 of the Ice Cream Festival.
10:00 AM – SEA CUP 2025 in Beach Volleyball /Ventspils Beach Volleyball Stadium/
11:00–14:00 Creative Workshops /H. Dorbe Museum/
11:00–14:00 Creative Workshops /Craft House/
12:00–15:00 Sea Festival Program /Livonian Order Castle/
The campaign “Museum Inspires!” – mini concerts featuring historical musical instruments, themed workshops for families; Aleksejs Naumovs’ solo exhibition “POLYCHROME”; the exhibition “Bīdžin/Beauty.” A glimpse into the traditional world of women in Japan (private collection); Ventspils Museum’s collection exhibition “ARTISTS” – the beginning of Ventspils’ art life in the first half of the 20th century.
11:00–11:30 Moment of Remembrance /Monument “To Sailors and Fishermen”/
With a moment of silence and laying of flowers, we will honor those who lost their lives at sea. The event features kokle player Laura Drēziņa and actor Mārtiņš Egliens.
NEW SECTION OF THE OSTAS STREET PROMENADE
11:40–17:30 NEPTUNE’S SONG TO THE SEA – main stage /square opposite the “Jūras vārti” shopping center/
The day’s program will be hosted by National Theatre actor Kristians Kareļins.
11:40–12:45 Neptune’s Arrival and Festival Opening
Let’s welcome the mighty ruler of the Sea, Neptune, and his enchanting troupe of sea maidens with an impressive arrival! Accompanied by magnificent water jets from tugboats, they will sail ceremoniously into the Ventspils port. In honor of Neptune, there will be musical and dance performances — and who knows, maybe for the first time, we’ll hear Neptune himself playing music and performing melodious sea songs.
12:45 National Theatre’s singing actors’ ensemble “AIRI” – a special program created especially for the Ventspils Sea Festival featuring fun and well-known songs for everyone.
14:00 EVENING BALLADS PRELUDE – on stage, we will see several beloved Latvian artists who have specially prepared an introductory program for the Sea Festival about the “Gunta Skrastiņš Song and Ballad Festival” events taking place at Renka Garden.
15:15 Neptune’s Farewell – we will send off Neptune with lively and energetic music by the band “PIEMARE.”
15:40 Performance by IVO FOMINS with his band – one of Latvia’s most well-known rock musicians, gifted with a powerful voice and vibrant stage presence. You will hear favorites like “Nekas jau nebeidzas” (“Nothing Ever Ends”), “Putni bez spārniem” (“Birds Without Wings”), and other beloved songs.
12:00–17:00 DREAMS AND KNOWLEDGE PIER /square by the Port Captain’s building/
LET THE DREAM SHIP TAKE SHAPE – Every festival participant will have the opportunity to create a large-scale environmental artwork together with artists from the Ventspils Art School – the Ventspils residents’ Dream Ship.
MISSION: CLEAN SEA! – Educational activities for children and teenagers organized by the Ventspils Youth House and the association “Development Factory.”
FLAVORS WITH PROTECTION – an informational stand about European Union protected products, including sklandrausis, salted rye bread, Jāņi cheese, large Latvian grey peas, Carnikava eels, and Rucava white butter.
12:00–17:00 LITTLE SEA WOLVES’ ISLAND /by the ship “Rota”/
Activities for children, tests and challenges for both big and small: “ARE YOU A TRUE SEA WOLF?”
Inflatable attractions and carousels in the square by the Winter Harbor.
12:30–17:00 FISHERMEN’S YARD /green area by the ship “Rota”/
12:30–15:00 FISH SOUP MEASUREMENT – competition for the tastiest fish soup.
12:30–13:30 Ensemble “STROPS.”
14:00–15:00 Ensemble “SPĒLMAŅI.”
15:30–16:00 Ventspils groups “VENTIŅ,” “RĀNDALIST,” and “LAIPA.”
16:15–16:45 “VENTSPILS BLUMĪZERISTI.”
Within the festival area, you can enjoy food, drinks, handmade crafts, and open-air exhibitions from the Ventspils Art School.
If there’s a good catch – smoked fish prepared in the style of Dzintars Zamarītis will be made in the mobile smokehouse!
20:00–24:00 EVENING SAIL /square opposite the “Jūras vārti” shopping center/
As the sun approaches the horizon, the “Evening Sail” will rise! DJ VENTO will take care of the musical atmosphere.
21:00 – TEEN ROSE & CJDJADRIANS will present their album “Venice.”
22:00 – Energetic concert performance by the band “SINGAPŪRAS SATĪNS.”
23:00–06:00 Sea Festival AFTERPARTY /nightclub “SILRAK”/
01:00 Hip-hop artist IMEANLOVE
19:00–03:00 GUNTS SKRASTIŅŠ SONG AND BALLAD FESTIVAL /Reņķa Garden/
The festival will feature performances by the bands “Lauku Muzikanti,” “Tērvete,” “Ogas,” “Bumerangs,” and the duo “Karakums,” as well as actors Rihards Lepers and Jānis Paukštello, and singers Andris Baltacis, Santa Kasparsone, Dainis Skutelis, Roberts Ošiņš, Inese Ērmane, Juris Ostrovskis, and other artists. The soloists and singing actors will be musically accompanied by Guntis Skrastiņš’s band “No Pusvārda” and the vocal trio of ladies “Oranžās.” Contests, surprises, and dancing until 3:00 AM!
OTHER EVENTS DURING THE FESTIVAL WEEK:
July 4, Friday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Sea Festival Fair /Old Town Market Square/
10:30 AM – Family event with children in the spirit of the Sea Festival /H. Dorbe Museum/
7:00 PM – Summer evening concerts: ANNIKA LANKA at Concert Hall “Latvija”
9:00 PM – Sunset music evening with the band “MǬ”
/at café “VIETA, KUR būt.”/
6. july, Sunday
8:00–14:00 Sea Festival Fair /Old Town Market Square/
12:00–16:00 Little Sea Festival /Seaside Open-Air Museum/
The museum will host the Suiti Cultural Heritage Association with special workshops, traditional Suiti dances, the sounds of bagpipes and drums, tasty Suiti treats, and a performance by the folklore group “Laipa.”
11:00–12:00 and 15:00–16:00 Tiny Sea Festival /Children’s Town and Children’s Park “Fantāzija”/
The traveling puppet theater MASKA from Liepāja will present the play “Don’t Judge a Man by His Hat.”
The festival is supported by: VENTSPILS CITY MUNICIPALITY, VENTSPILS FREE PORT AUTHORITY, LLC “VENTPLAC,” LLC “UŽAVA ALUS.”
