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At the beginning of February, Jelgava invites visitors to immerse themselves in a winter atmosphere and experience the 27th International Ice Sculpture Festival, which will take place over two days on February 7 and 8. Internationally recognised ice sculptors will reveal their interpretation of this year’s theme, “Power of Illusion”, encouraging visitors to look beyond what is visible and experience moments where truth intertwines with illusion.
The festival will be complemented by a rich entertainment programme, including ice sculpture duels, science shows, illusionist performances, ice games and a slide, children’s play performances, and concerts by well-known Latvian musicians.

The “Power of Illusion” on ice will be created by sculptors from 12 countries

Even before the festival took place, the jury selected this year’s festival participants – the authors of the best works – in a sketch competition. The competition attracted significant international interest, with more than 40 applications submitted. As a result, 20 sculptors from 12 countries were selected to take part: Argentina, Indonesia, Poland, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Spain, Finland, Germany, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

The artists will arrive in Jelgava on February 1, and the ice sculptures will be created between February 2 and 6. This year, artists will invite viewers into a world of illusion where the boundary between reality and appearance becomes fragile and ever-changing. The sculptures will explore modern humanity’s relationship with technology, illusions created by nature, light, and form, as well as diverse perceptions of beauty, happiness, and inner worlds.

In addition to the competition sculptures, two talented sculptors will create special interactive ice photo sculptures, allowing visitors to become part of the artwork—stepping into the role of a queen, princess, or the hero of the fairy tale “The Naked King”. Visitors will also be able to take photos with iconic illusion-themed sculptures, including the famous magic trick of a rabbit emerging from a hat and a symbolic sculpture of a cat seeing itself as a mighty lion in a mirror—highlighting the contrast between illusion and reality. Other impressive ice photo sculptures, frozen objects, and ice attractions and games will also be available.

Free-Access Festival Zone on Jāņa Čakstes Boulevard

Pasta (Post) Island, the open-air concert venue “Mītava”, and the ice rink will be the main festival locations, featuring individual and team sculptures as well as an extensive cultural programme across two stages.

Meanwhile, Jāņa Čakstes Boulevard, which in previous years was part of the paid festival area, will this year become a free-access festive zone. Visitors will be able to view ice photo sculptures, enjoy attractions and carousels, and visit a winter “hospitality zone” offering a wide range of snacks, hot and cold drinks, and handcrafted goods. After dark, the festive atmosphere will be enhanced by a laser show, repeated throughout the evening and visible from anywhere within the festival area.

A Diverse Programme for the Whole Family

The festival will be open on both Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 10 pm. On both days, the public ice rink on Pasta (Post) Island will host an ice games zone with checkers, table hockey, and domino tournaments, while younger visitors can enjoy an ice slide.

At the open-air concert venue “Mītava”, children’s performances will take place, while science shows with exciting experiments will be held on the Pasta (Post) Island stage. Visitors will also be able to watch live ice sculpture demonstrations and follow the creative process as artists shape ice into works of art. Illusionist performances will further enhance the festival atmosphere.

On Saturday, the ice sculpture competition award ceremony and official festival opening will take place at the “Mītava” open-air concert venue, followed by a performance by the musical group “Vintāža”, and the evening’s special guest— the charismatic band “Instrumenti”.

On Sunday, the evening programme will begin with the expressive Jelgava ensemble “Tandēms trijatā”, followed by Normunds Rutulis together with the Famous Riga Orchestra, and the festival will conclude with the internationally acclaimed and energetic ethno-music group “Tautumeitas”.

Discounted Tickets Available Until January 31

Until January 31, tickets can be purchased at a reduced price at “Biļešu Paradīze” ticket offices across Latvia, at the Jelgava Culture House ticket office, and online at www.bilesuparadize.lv.

• Day ticket (pre-sale):
  • Adults – €10
  • School students, students, pensioners, and persons with disabilities – €5
  • Family tickets and “3+ Family Card” tickets – €20
• Special discounts at the Jelgava Culture House ticket office:
  • With a “Jelgavas Vēstnesis” Ice Sculpture Festival coupon or Jelgava Resident Card – €7
  • With a Jelgava student card – €4

From 1 February, ticket prices will increase:

• Adults – €15
• School students, students, pensioners, and persons with disabilities – €7
• Family ticket – €30

Children under age of 7 may enter free of charge. Each ticket is valid as a day ticket, allowing multiple entries to the festival area on the selected date.

Festival-day ticket offices will be located on Pasta (Post) Island and near the Mītava Bridge on the Jāņa Čakstes Boulevard side. Payment by bank card will be available at all ticket sales points.

Traffic Restrictions During Festival Week

In preparation for the festival, traffic restrictions will be introduced in the city. From February 1, Pasta (Post) Island will be closed to visitors, with access maintained to the public ice rink, children’s playground, and the restaurant “Pilsētas elpa”. From February 5, for safety reasons during construction works, access to the playground and ice rink area will also be restricted, leaving access only to the restaurant.

During sculpture creation and technical works—from February 6 at 9 am until February 9 at 2 am — traffic will be closed on:

• Jāņa Čakstes Boulevard (from Raiņa Street to Lielā Street),
• Driksas Street (from Akadēmijas Street to Jāņa Čakstes Boulevard),
• Ūdens Street.

The festival is organised by the City of Jelgava and the municipal institution “Culture”.

More information: Jelgava.lv and kultura.jelgava.lv.