July in Smiltene: City Festival Month
Smiltene's city festival will take place from July 16 to 19 with the motto 'Gather in Smiltene!', offering a diverse program for all ages.
July has been declared the month of the city festival in Smiltene, with the main events scheduled from July 16 to 19. This year's motto is 'Gather in Smiltene!', inviting locals and visitors alike to come together. The heart of the festivities will be Jāņukalns and its surroundings.
On Thursday, July 16, the festival will kick off with a bike parade, starting at 8 PM from the Tepera Lake promenade. The route will lead to the Jāņukalns stage, and participation is free. Earlier, at 6 PM, a concert titled 'Laudate Dominum. Clarinet & Organ' will take place at the Smiltene Lutheran Church (entry by donation).
Friday, July 17, from 6:30 PM at Jāņukalns, a gathering of Smiltene music groups will feature performances by 'Tilts', 'Apvedceļš', 'Ceļojums', 'Sestā Jūdze', 'Palsa', 'Propelleris', 'Kreisas Pagrieziens', and 'Pusnakts Brigāde'. There will be an entrance fee.
Saturday, July 18, is the festival's highlight. From 9 AM, the brass band 'Smiltene' will wake up the city. From 9 AM to 2 PM, a traders' and home producers' gathering will take place near the Jāņukalns stage. At 9 AM, a rogaining competition starts at the Baptist church. At 10 AM, fitness trainer Ilze Lāce invites everyone to a morning workout at Tepera Stadium. Children can participate in a disc golf championship at the 'Abuls' disc golf park from 11 AM, and sports competitions at the preschool 'Pīlādzītis' from 2 PM to 4 PM. At the Smiltene Art School courtyard, activities from 11 AM include a meeting with author Zane Daudziņa and publisher Vija Kilbloka, textile decoration workshops by URDA, and youth center activities. The museum offers excursions on 'Smiltene Building History' at 12 PM and 3 PM. Car and motorcycle enthusiasts can attend a meeting at the 'Žāpurs' garage complex from 4 PM to 6 PM. These activities are free.
In the evening at Jāņukalns: a transformer robot show with the group 'PERFAM' (5 PM), a concert by singer Būū (7 PM), a performance by the band 'Līvi' (8:30 PM), and a party by singer Žoržs Siksna (10 PM). These events require a ticket.
On Sunday, July 19, cemetery festivals will take place: at 11 AM at the Smiltene city cemetery and at 1 PM at the Meža cemetery. At 3 PM, a concert dedicated to poet Marika Svīķe will be held in Vecais parks. At 5 PM, the Cēsis Theatre will perform the play 'Summer Mission: Damsels for Grandpa!' at Jāņukalns (ticketed).
Tickets for paid events can be purchased at the Smiltene Culture Centre box office, on the 'Biļešu Paradīze' website, or on the day at Jāņukalns. One ticket grants access to all paid events and will be exchanged for a wristband that must be kept throughout.
