The Great Latvian Crafts Fair Returns to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum on 6–7 June
On 6 and 7 June, the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum will host its traditional Great Latvian Crafts Fair, taking place for the 54th time. More than 500 craftspeople, food producers, natural cosmetics makers, publishers and caterers from across Latvia will gather to present and sell their work.
Visitors will enjoy not only a wide selection of handmade products but also a rich cultural programme featuring folk dancing, music, theatre performances, traditional craft demonstrations and activities for children.
Tickets:
Purchase tickets here
A Celebration of Latvian Craftsmanship
Craftspeople from all regions of Latvia will offer ceramics, basketry, traditional woodwork, leather goods, forged metalwork, handcrafted jewellery, woven tablecloths, towels, shawls and blankets, knitted and crocheted items, clothing, natural cosmetics, sauna products, toys, candles, glassware, printed products and much more.
The fair will also feature an impressive selection of local foods, including artisan breads, pastries, smoked meats, fish, dairy products, honey, berries, fruits, vegetables, preserves, syrups, jams, hemp products, chicory coffee, herbal teas, candied fruits, confectionery, ice cream and a variety of beverages.
Learn Traditional Skills
Visitors will have the opportunity not only to purchase handmade goods but also to learn directly from skilled craftspeople. Throughout both days, demonstrations and workshops will take place across the fairgrounds.
Guests can try their hand at pottery, wool spinning, basket weaving, felt making, spoon and trough carving, traditional footwear crafting, band weaving, beadwork, cross-stitch embroidery, doll making, sauna whisk tying, plant-mat weaving and more. There will also be introductory lessons in playing the Latvian kokle.
At the Liv Heritage Farmstead barn, the magazine Practical Handicrafts will present a parade of master craftspeople from 10:00 to 14:00 on both days. Saturday’s workshops will focus on crocheted roses and yarn birds, while Sunday visitors can learn mitten-cuff knitting and colourful keyring making.
A Year Dedicated to Ceramics
“This year at the museum is marked by ceramics,” says museum director Zanda Ķergalve.
“This year we published a catalogue of works by the Lejasciems potter Gustavs Ozoliņš, and we have recently opened an exhibition dedicated to the centenary of Jānis Krievs’ ceramics workshop. The museum’s collection contains an extensive range of Latvian ceramics, which undoubtedly inspires many of today’s craftspeople. Visitors may not know that the museum grounds include three historic pottery kilns. Colourful Latvian ceramics brighten everyday life and remain an essential part of our cultural identity, inherited sense of beauty and everyday aesthetics.”
Programme Highlights – 6 June
Fair Opening Ceremony
10:00 – Official opening of the fair and honouring of craftspeople at the Market Square, featuring the folk music group Luča.
11:00 – Opening of the Kurzeme pottery kiln and unloading of newly fired ceramics.
Stage Programme at the Western Gate
10:00 – Folk Dance Ensemble Dancītis 11:15 & 14:00 – Amateur Theatre Trubadūrs presents Ah, This Delightful Country Life! by Baiba Juhņēviča 12:30 & 15:30 – Dārdaru Musicians13:30 – Riga Folklore Group Savieši
Lakeside Meadow 11:00–16:00 – Fair Conversations with Iveta and Vidvuds Medeņi
Programme Highlights – 7 June
Stage Programme at the Western Gat
11:00 – Druva Amateur Theatre presents Rūdolfs Blaumanis’ play Trīnes Grēki (Trīne’s Sins)
13:00 – Youth Ensemble of the Riga Family Folklore Studio Garataka14:00 – Riga Folklore Group Visi Vēji
15:00 – Folk Dance Group DižDruva and Folklore Ensemble Druvas Zemturi
Lakeside Meadow 11:00–16:00 – Fair Conversations with Iveta and Vidvuds Medeņi
Activities for Children
Children are welcome in Lurķi Meadow, where they will find a traditional carousel, refreshing lemonade and creative workshops, including introductory kokle lessons and doll-making activities.
Exhibition: “Handle with Care! Clay Vessels. 100 Years of Jānis Krievs’ Ceramics Workshop”
Visitors can also explore the exhibition Handle with Care! Clay Vessels. 100 Years of Jānis Krievs’ Ceramics Workshop in the museum exhibition hall.
The exhibition marks the centenary of the workshop and features more than 450 ceramic objects created by Jānis Krievs’ workshop and the Tukums branch of the former Art Production Association Māksla, showcasing the remarkable diversity of forms, glazes and decorative ornamentation.
Visitor Information
During the fair, the museum can be accessed through:Main EntranceWestern Gate (Bonaventuras Street) Bergi Gate (70A Bergu Street)
Advance tickets are available through the Biļešu Paradīze ticketing network.
About the Museum
The Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum is one of the oldest and largest open-air museums in Europe. Covering 87 hectares, it is home to 114 historic buildings representing all regions of Latvia. The museum carries out collection management, conservation, research, educational and restoration work.
In 2024, the museum celebrated its 100th anniversary. In addition to its main site in Riga, it manages two rural heritage sites preserved in their original locations: the Vēveri homestead museum and the Vītolnieki fishermen’s homestead on the Baltic Sea coast.