Lampa Festival Returns to Cēsis: Practical Guide for Visitors
The 12th Lampa discussion festival will take place on July 10-11 in Cēsis, offering over 400 free events. Organizers have released details on transportation, food, accommodation, and other amenities.
This weekend, on July 10 and 11, the Lampa discussion festival will be held in Cēsis for the 12th time, attracting thousands of visitors. Over two days, more than 400 events will take place at over 60 venues in Pils Park, Maija Park, and Pils Square. This year's central question is: "What must not be talked about?" Entrance to the festival is free, but organizers encourage donations to support the festival's sustainability.
Getting There and Transport
To avoid traffic, visitors are advised to plan their journey in advance. Public transport will operate, but tickets should be purchased beforehand. The bus operator "ViVi" offers additional trips: on July 10 at 11:30 PM from Cēsis to Riga, and on July 11 at 8:58 AM from Riga to Cēsis and at 11:55 PM from Cēsis to Riga. Free parking is available at several locations: Valmieras iela 2, Uzvaras bulvāris 22, Kaļķu iela near Apšu iela, Pļavas iela 5, and near the intersection of Niniera and Ceriņu ielas (the last one may be unavailable in rain). Some streets in central Cēsis will be closed to traffic – detailed information is on the festival website.
Food and Sustainability
The festival grounds will feature a wide food zone with various options, including vegetarian and vegan dishes. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own water bottles, which can be refilled for free at several points. A deposit cup system will be in place: for a €2 deposit, attendees can receive reusable cups that can be exchanged or returned at deposit points. Clearly marked recycling bins will be placed throughout the area.
Accommodation
A free camping area will be open at the Cēsis Children and Youth Center (Bērzaines iela 4) from July 10 at 10:00 AM until July 12 at 12:00 PM. It will be equipped with toilets, sinks, and security, but visitors must take care of their own comfort and belongings. Registration will take place on site.
Planning Your Program and Children
To navigate the extensive program, use the "My Program" tool on the website or the mobile app (available on App Store and Google Play). For those unable to attend in person, some events will be streamed live on portal "Delfi", the festival website, and partner platforms. "MiniLampa" offers creative workshops, experiments, and games for children and youth. Parents are asked to supervise their children and provide them with a wristband containing a phone number – these will be available at MiniLampa and the Info Center. If a child gets lost, they will be taken to the Info Center.
On Friday evening, a portion of a FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match will be shown on the big screen at the DOTS stage. All details are available on the festival website.
