This summer, Latvia will host the world's largest festival dedicated to the trombone for the first time — the International Trombone Festival. This is the most authoritative global event in this field, held annually in a different country. In 2026, the festival will take place for the first time in Eastern Europe. According to the organizers, it could become the largest event in Latvia ever dedicated to a single musical instrument.
The festival will be held from July 29 to August 1 and will bring together more than 500 trombonists, teachers, composers, and representatives of the music industry from around the world.
The main venues will be the House of the Latvian Society in Riga and the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music. A number of concerts are also planned at the Riga Dome Cathedral.
The festival program includes participation from internationally renowned artists and composers, including Swedish trombonist Christian Lindberg, Dutch composer and conductor Johan de Meij, as well as other famous soloists, educators, and jazz performers. The list of participants will expand based on the schedules of leading world orchestras.
Latvian professional ensembles have also confirmed their participation, including the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra, the Latvian Radio Big Band, and the National Armed Forces Orchestra of Latvia.
The festival program includes gala concerts featuring symphonic and wind orchestras and a big band, chamber concerts, master classes for students and professionals, international competitions in solo, ensemble, and jazz categories, as well as exhibitions of musical instruments.
Some events will be open to the general public.
