Līgo & Jānis festival Līgo is the biggest traditional Latvian festival, having a deep symbolic meaning for Latvians and known in other countries too. The Ligo-Festival (Ligo-Eve) is on 23 June, with Jani on the following day – 24 June. It coincides with the summer solstice, and the festivities include many ancient traditions: gathering wild flowers and cutting boughs, making wreaths of oak-leaves and flowers, decorating houses and animals, burning a ceremonial bonfire and singing songs with the ‘ligo’ refrain. Ritual food includes Jani cheese, with caraway seed, and barley beer. Flower Wreath Ligo Cheese (Siers) Ligo Party storehouse! Jumping a Ligo Bonfire Līgo Song Līgo advertisement Thanks to Māris and his friends for that party. It was great! (Ecuador in the other side of the river, super-grandmother, the wreaths, bonfires, stay awake until sunrise, home-made beer...) More info at Latvia's Friend blog .