News

On Sunday, January 11, in Jelgava at the Zemgale Olympic Centre, the decisive pre-qualification match of the Latvian men’s national handball team for the 2028 European Championship will take place against Great Britain.

The first baby born in 2026 at Jelgava City Hospital is a boy, Māris. The new resident of Jelgava came into the world on January 4 at 5:08 a.m. The baby weighed 2,800 grams and was 54 centimeters long. The previous year, 2025, concluded at Jelgava Hospital with a total of 576 newborns.

Continuing the tradition of the city of Jelgava, we will celebrate the special moments of New Year’s Eve together! On 31 December at 11:00 PM, residents of Jelgava and visitors to the city are invited to Duke Jacob’s Square to see out 2025 and welcome 2026 in a musical atmosphere. As always, this will happen twice in Jelgava – at midnight together with all of Latvia, and then according to Jelgava time, 25 minutes later.

This Friday, 19 December, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., residents of Jelgava and visitors to the city are invited to celebrate the Winter Solstice in the Vecpilsēta Street quarter. Reviving ancestral traditions, visitors will have the opportunity to take part in dances and games, make masks and decorations, enjoy traditional treats, participate in the log-pulling ritual, attend a concert, and join in other festive activities. Participation in the event is free of charge.

At the beginning of February, Jelgava invites you to immerse yourself in the charm of winter and enjoy one of the city’s most anticipated events – the 27th International Ice Sculpture Festival “Power of Illusion”. The festival will take place on February 7 and 8, but ticket sales have already started.

The First Advent marks the beginning of the Christmas season. On November 30, residents and guests of Jelgava are warmly invited to gather in Duke Jacob’s Square to enjoy the festive spirit together and light the city’s main Christmas tree.

On the 107th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, on November 18, Jelgava presented its highest honours – the “Goda zīme” (Badge of Honour) and the “Goda raksts” (Certificate of Honour). These awards are the city’s way of expressing sincere gratitude to people whose work and dedication inspire others to aim higher, achieve more, and contribute to the common good.

On November 17, at 12 noon, the winter season will open at the city’s public ice rink on Pasta (Post) Island. The updated skating schedule until November 23 will offer skating both on weekdays and weekends.

Celebrating Latvia’s 107th birthday, on November 18 from 5.30 p.m. to 9 p.m., residents are invited to Jelgava Palace Park to create a candle composition for Latvia — “Our Path.” From the Driksa Bridge to the southern gates of the Palace, a light path in the colors of the national flag — made of red and white candles — will be formed as a gift from the people of Jelgava to Latvia on its celebration day.

On November 8, a solemn remembrance ceremony was held at the Forest Cemetery (Meža kapi) to honor British soldiers and sailors who fell during the First World War. The event was attended by the British Ambassador to Latvia, Kathy Leach, representatives of the British Embassy, ambassadors from other countries, representatives of ministries, military personnel, the leadership of the Jelgava State City Municipality, and members of the public.

Celebrating Lačplesis Day and honoring our country’s freedom fighters, on November 11 at 6:00 p.m. we will unite in a torchlight march. The march will start on Dambja Street and conclude at the Monument to the Liberators of Jelgava, where at around 6:45 p.m. a ceremonial moment and concert will take place, featuring Juris Vizbulis, the mixed choir “Balti”, and the band “Tirkizband”. In honor of the celebration, on November 11 from 12:00 to 9:00 p.m., the National Guard 4th Kurzeme Brigade’s 52nd Combat Support Battalion will provide an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the daily life of Latvian and allied military forces in Station Park – to view military equipment, meet soldiers and national guardsmen, and learn about career opportunities in the service.

The informative material “Jelgava in Figures for 2024” has been prepared and published on the municipality’s official website. It invites everyone to explore facts and figures about the city’s population, employment, economy, education, social services and healthcare, transport, culture, tourism, sports, municipal projects, and the budgetary resources and expenditures of Jelgava City Municipality.