Abgunste Manor to host fairy-tale-themed festival in August

Abgunste Manor in Zaļenieki parish will host its annual manor festival on August 14 and 16, this year built around a fairy-tale theme titled “Once Upon a Wonderland.” Last year's celebration stretched across ten days as a festival, but this year's event is concentrated into a single weekend, with organizers promising it will still deliver the same level of spectacle.

Opening night with an Eastern flavor

On Friday, August 14, dinner will be served from 8 p.m., followed by a themed program featuring Arabic, Turkish and Indian dance performances, drum music, projections of artwork, henna body art, Tarot readings and a hookah lounge. At midnight, fire performers will take the courtyard stage. Attendance for this evening is capped at 200 guests, and the entry fee will be higher than for Sunday's event.

Sunday's main event

On Sunday, August 16, the main festival will run in the manor courtyard from noon to 8 p.m., with a symbolic entry fee of 40 euros. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy musical surprises, circus performances, a children's theater show, a vocal studio performance, an illusionist, and concerts featuring musician Juris Hiršs, Goran Gora and the band “Mazais princis.” Additional paid workshops will include hat-making, watercolor painting, wreath-making and gingerbread baking, while the manor's interior will host a search-and-solve adventure activity.

Organizers are encouraging guests to dress in costume as any fairy-tale character of their choosing. For the first time in the festival's history, the manor will also offer glamping tents and additional nearby accommodation for guests who cannot find lodging on-site. Tickets for both events are available online, while accommodation inquiries should be directed to the manor directly.