From September 16 to 20, the Latvian National Museum of Natural History will host the annual "Mushroom exhibition 2026", organised by the museum and the Latvian Mycological Society. Weather conditions have been favorable for mushroom growth, therefore visitors can expect to discover a rich diversity of fungi species.
Mushroom exhibitions have been held in Riga for more than a hundred years. Since the very beginnings of this tradition, residents have been encouraged to contribute their own mushroom finds to the exhibition. The premises of the Natural History Museum at 4 Krišjāņa Barona Street have been home to mushroom shows for 75 years, since 1951. Although there have been interruptions over the years and the venues and names of the organisers have changed several times, the mushroom exhibition remains a highly anticipated and special autumn event in the capital. The mycologists from the Latvian National Museum of Natural History are also actively involved in organising exhibitions in Latvia’s regions.
The main aim of the mushroom exhibition remains to showcase as wide a diversity of species as possible, allowing visitors to test and expand their knowledge. Beginners will be able to discover new species, while more experienced mushroom foragers and enthusiasts will have the opportunity to learn additional characteristics for more accurate species identification. At the exhibition, mushrooms will be arranged into groups: edible, inedible, poisonous and protected species.
This year, the organisers of the "Mushroom exhibition 2026" are once again inviting visitors to bring mushrooms they have found themselves, as valuable specimens have made their way into the hands of mycologists and into the museum’s mushroom collection in precisely this way. Every day, visitors will have the opportunity to meet one of the specialists – Inita Dāniele, Diāna Meiere, Miks Rieksts-Hofmanis and other mushroom experts – who will be happy to answer questions from visitors.
With the support of the exhibition’s partners and members of the Latvian Mycological Society, mushrooms will be collected from a wide variety of locations across Latvia this autumn. Alongside the mushrooms, the exhibition will also feature recipes compiled by the society. Visitors will have the opportunity to admire handicrafts made using yarn dyed with mushrooms, as well as other mushroom-related handicrafts, while children will be offered educational and creative activities. During the exhibition, visitors will also be able to purchase The Great Book of Latvian Mushrooms and a calendar of edible mushrooms for 2027 at the museum.
The Latvian National Museum of Natural History mycologists advise – unknown mushrooms should not be consumed!
"Mushroom exhibition 2026" 16.09.–20.09.2026. opening hours:
W. (16.09.) 10:00–17:00
Th. (17.09.) 10:00–17:00
F. (18.09.) 10:00–17:00
S. (19.09.) 10:00–17:00
Su. (20.09.) 10:00–17:00
"Mushroom exhibition 2026" 16.09.–20.09.2026. admission:
Adults – 3,00 €
Seniors, students – 2,00 €*
Pupils – 1,00 €*
*ID required (student card, pensioner's certificate etc.)
Combined ticket (20 % discount "Mushroom exhibition 2026" + permanent exhibitions):
Adults – 5,20 €
Seniors, sudents – 3,60 €*
Spupils – 2,00 €*
*ID required (student card, pensioner's certificate etc.)
Tickets for exhibition are also available via Mobilly app:
- Ticket price is the same as at the museum's ticket office.
- Please note that free admission tickets, such as preschool-age (up to age 6 including) children, must also be added.
- Your ticket QR will be scanned at the ticket office.
Discounts: SIA "Jānis Roze" customer card 20% discount (applies to no more than 1 ticket per customer card per visit).
Free admission:
- preschool-age children (up to age 6 including);
- students attending various kinds of special education classes, crisis centers, boarding schools, care centers, orphanages, psycho-social rehabilitation centers, and children’s care centers; residents of shelters and care homes; orphans; children without parents (upon presenting status documentation issued by the Republic of Latvia);
- mass media representatives who are reporting on museum activities (upon presentation of a press pass);
- staff of other museums (upon presenting International Council of Museums (ICOM) membership card);
- politically repressed individuals (upon presenting status documentation issued by the Republic of Latvia);
- persons with disabilities: children under age 18 with any disability and assistant; adults with Disabled Group I status and assistant or adults with Disabled Group II status (upon presenting status documentation issued by the Republic of Latvia);
- persons with invitations;
- holders of an entrance pass issued by the Latvian National Museum of Natural History.
