The tree-lighting event will begin at 5 p.m. with a performance by the Jūrmala Theatre, “How the Elves Conjured Christmas” – a story about four elves who, with the help of various spells, try to light the Christmas tree. With this heartfelt and educational performance about kindness, joy and love, Jelgava residents will be invited to join in lighting the city’s grand tree.
An essential part of the celebration will be the traditional Christmas market, which will welcome visitors from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. As usual, local producers and artisans will offer Christmas trees, candles, Advent wreaths, Christmas decorations, various knitted items, hot drinks, gingerbread and other treats.
According to the municipal institution “Pilsētsaimniecība”, this year’s grand city tree is planned to be truly majestic – reaching a height of 18 metres and made up of more than 30 smaller trees. This week, the assembly of the tree has begun in Duke Jacob’s Square, with the installation of the central structure and smaller trees, followed by the placement of decorations. This year, the tree will shine with pearl, gold and brown decorations, stylised acanthus elements, warm white LED garlands, and will be vertically illuminated by four spotlights.
The festive atmosphere in Duke Jacob’s Square will also be enhanced by the large-scale decorations created last year – a more than 21-metre-wide and four-metre-high silhouette of Jelgava Palace in warm white tones, as well as six decorative arches. The design of both the arches and the palace silhouette incorporates stylised acanthus motifs symbolising the Baroque style of Jelgava Palace. The trees in Duke Jacob’s Park will be adorned with hanging warm shimmering light garlands, creating a unified festive mood and complementing the light play of the palace silhouette and arches.
Themed decorations will create a festive feeling throughout the city – on Driksa Street and in Victory Park, residents will be welcomed by Christmas trees decorated with sparkling LED garlands, rhombus-shaped silver ornaments and mirror-effect decorations. In the pedestrian area of Driksa Street, light garlands and projections on the pavement will also shine. Station Park will be decorated with LED “puzuri” of various sizes with sparkling snowflakes. Puzuri decorations of different sizes will form a special light alley in Rainis Park, glowing in the trees above the path along Pasta Street, as well as on lighting poles in the Old Town. A festive landmark will also be the oak tree in the Pasta Street roundabout – it will shine with LED garland light spheres.
Pasta Island will be decorated with a spatial sailing-ship installation and sail-shaped light decorations complemented by acanthus motifs. On Satiksmes Street and at the intersection of Garoza and Prohorov Streets, light constructions with acanthus decorations will be installed. Stylised Baroque acanthus motifs will also adorn the city’s central streets – they will decorate lighting poles on the bridge over the Lielupe, as well as on Driksa Street, Dobele Road and the section of Loka Highway from Rīga Street to Aviation Street. On Lielā Street, from Jānis Čakste Boulevard to Dambja Street, lighting poles will display golden light-garland decorations almost five metres long.
It should be noted that some of the planned festive decorations have already been installed in the urban environment, but the city will acquire its full Christmas appearance with the First Advent.
