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Next year, Jelgava will celebrate its 760th anniversary. To welcome both the New Year and the city’s anniversary year, on December 31st, starting from 11 PM, the people of Jelgava are invited to Duke Jēkaba Square. In the heart of the city, we will experience the special moments of the New Year’s Eve with festive greetings, songs, and dances – at midnight, along with the whole of Latvia, and 25 minutes later, according to Jelgava’s time.

“Celebrating New Year’s together has become a city tradition, which we will continue this time with two special festive moments – we will welcome the New Year at midnight with all of Latvia, and afterward, the countdown will begin until 12:25 AM, when the New Year will officially arrive in Jelgava as well,” says Ivars Pirvics, Deputy Director of the municipal institution “Culture.” He explains that the Earth, rotating on its axis, completes one full rotation in 24 hours, crossing a meridian from time to time. Latvia is crossed by eight meridians, meaning that the local time in different parts of the country differs from the average standard time. In Jelgava, the meridian crosses the tower of the Holy Trinity Church, and the New Year begins 25 minutes after midnight.

This time, the symbolic celebration spot will be Duke Jacob’s Square – the central location in the city, where the festive atmosphere is created by the city’s large Christmas tree, a large-scale Jelgava Castle decoration, and a square adorned with bright light garlands. It is a place offering a view of the Holy Trinity Church tower, a significant historical heritage for the city. It is also the place where Jelgava residents gather each year, expressing their belonging to the city in the festive procession.

The residents of the city are invited to experience a sense of togetherness and bright holiday moments there during the New Year’s Eve. The energetic music will be provided by the band “TirkizBand,” and a video will be shown on the big screen, allowing everyone to remember and virtually revisit the most significant events in Jelgava in 2024. Just before the New Year, Jelgava’s Mayor Andris Rāviņš will greet the crowd, and New Year’s greetings from the country’s highest officials will also be broadcast.

For safety reasons, the organizers remind that the bringing and use of fireworks is not allowed in the event area.

Additionally, a mobile café will be available at the event.

It should be noted that during the celebration, traffic restrictions will be in place from 11 PM to 1:30 AM – the section of Lielā Street from Pasta Street to Akadēmijas Street will be closed to motor vehicles.