Festival “Cēsis 819” Programme: BE THE STAR

Full “Cēsis 819” festival programme available HERE!

Please note that tickets are only required for the grand concert “Be the Star!” on 19 July at 19.00. The rest of the “Cēsis 819” programme is free of charge and open to all.

Although the main festivities begin on 18 July, we invite you already on Thursday, 17 July, to a pre-festival concert at Cēsis Concert Hall, where at 19.00 the young and talented musician Gustavs Kalējs and friends will perform in the concert “Thank You, Cēsis!”. Tickets available at bilesuparadize.lv and “Biļešu paradīze” ticket offices.

On Friday, 18 July, the evening will be marked by the traditional festival parade “Be the Star!”, starting at 20.20 and winding through the city centre. Before the parade, Žoržs Siksna will perform, while after the parade participants have gathered in Castle Park, the band “The Sound Poets” will take the stage, followed by the festive honouring of the Citizen of the Year and a large-scale community sing-along concert with soloists Gunita Bārda, Marta Ritova and Rihards Saulis. The evening in Vienības Square will conclude with a party by DJ Didzis Kozlovskis.

Saturday, 19 July, will offer a diverse programme for all age groups.

From 10.00, a festival market will take place along Rīgas Street and in Rožu Square, while from 11.00 to 15.00 Castle Square will host a children’s programme featuring creative workshops, games, theatre, experiments and concerts, in cooperation with the Space Exploration Centre, Gauja National Park Nature Centre and URDU.

From 11.00 in Vienības Square – a classic car exhibition, and in the afternoon – a French and Latvian music duo “Viņš un viņa”, and a joint project by the Tartu Saxophone Choir and the Cēsis Wind Orchestra.

The culmination of the festival will be the grand concert “Be the Star!” in Cēsis Castle Park, where from 19.00 performances will be given by students of the Jazz Department of Alfrēds Kalniņš Cēsis Music Secondary School, EMĪLIJA LOZE, Deivv, heywhosthatkid, as well as the bands “Oranžās Brīvdienas”, “Olas” and “Instrumenti”. Dancing will follow with the band “Muzikanti no Cēsīm”.

At the end of the evening – a Silent Disco in Rožu Square with DJ UGA, DJ Alexx Rea and DJ Brumo, while in Vienības Square – a DJ Stocka dance programme until morning.

Tickets for the concert “Be the Star!” in Castle Park are available at www.bilesuparadize.lv and “Biļešu paradīze” ticket offices. Ticket price until 7 July at 23.59 – only 7 EUR. As the event approaches, ticket prices will gradually increase. Family tickets and discounts for seniors are available. Children up to 7 years of age, persons with disabilities and their attendants – free entry. The number of tickets available in pre-sale is limited.

Cēsis invites everyone to join in the celebration – to experience, celebrate, sing, dance and be inspired in Latvia’s Capital of Culture.