On August 1 and 2, the ninth Riga Burger Festival will take place in Esplanade Park - two days in which the center of Riga will be dominated by a festival of burgers, grills and street food. Burger houses and restaurants from all over Latvia will participate in the festival.
This year, the best BBQ masters of Latvia will also join the festival, who will compete for the title of the Best BBQ Master. Every visitor to the festival will have the opportunity to taste dozens of different burgers, follow culinary competitions, attend grilling master classes and enjoy musical performances. Traditionally, the "Best Burger of the Festival" will also be determined, which will be judged by a specially formed jury.
"We do everything to make the festival bigger and stronger every year. Last year, more than 15,000 burgers were eaten in Esplanade Park during the festival," says Edgars Svencs, the main organizer of the festival.
Also this year, competitions will be held to determine the tastiest burgers of the festival. One of the challenges for the participants will be to use "Schulstad Bakery Solutions New York" burger bread, as well as Dimdiņu products - pickled onions or coleslaw salad.
Before the festival, the selection of participants in the burger eating competition will take place, but during the festival, the fastest participants will compete in the semi-finals and final for the title of "Latvia's fastest burger eater". The festival program also includes activities for the whole family, including a children's area and entertainment for the youngest visitors. During both days, there will be various shows on the festival territory, the musical atmosphere will be provided by Latvia's best DJs, and there will also be contests for the audience.
RIGA BURGER FESTIVAL 2026 – PROGRAM
11.00 - Opening of the park
11.30 – Opening of the event
13.00 – New York burger bread challenge
15.00 – 1st semi-final of the burger eating competition
15.30 – 2nd semi-final of the burger eating competition
16.00 – Duet "Karakums"
17.00 – Grilling master class
19.00 – DJ program
23.00 – End of the event
11.00 - Opening of the park
14.00 – Burger eating competition final
15.00 – Presentation of the jury of the best burger of the festival
18.00 – Award ceremony and presentation of the festival's best burger award
18.15 – Mārtiņš Balož's concert
21.00 – End of the festival
Entry to the event is free. More information is available on the festival's official event page.