Latvia's largest education fair returns to Ķīpsala in Riga, 18–20 February 2027, connecting students and career advisers with universities, colleges and training providers.
Dates
18–20 Feb 2027
City / country
Riga, Latvia
Venue
Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre, Ķīpsalas iela 8, Rīga
Time
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM daily
Event overview
Skola 2027 is Latvia's largest education opportunities fair, bringing universities, colleges, technical schools, language course providers and teaching-aid suppliers together at Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre in Riga. Across three days, school leavers, students, parents, teachers and career advisers compare study programmes, admission requirements and vocational pathways, while institutions recruit the next intake and present international exchange options.
The 32nd edition runs 18–20 February 2027, with doors open 10:00–17:00 daily. Expect a busy, family-friendly floor with stage talks, hands-on demonstrations and direct access to admissions staff from Latvian and foreign institutions.
TL;DR
Compare universities, colleges and vocational schools side by side, question admissions staff directly and leave with a shortlist that matches your grades, budget and career direction. Stage talks and hands-on demonstrations make it useful for undecided students and for teachers organising group visits.
Meet thousands of motivated school leavers, parents and career advisers in three days, test recruitment messages face to face and generate enquiries before the summer admission cycle. The fair also puts vocational providers and education suppliers in front of the same audience as universities.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Ķīpsalas iela 8, Rīga, LV-1048, Latvia
Entrances & gates
Main entrance
Enter from Ķīpsalas iela 8 at the main exhibition-centre doors; the “Ķīpsala” trolleybus and bus stop is a short walk away.
Paid on-site car park off Ķīpsalas iela; card payment at the machine or Mobilly app, SIC zone.
Food options
Exhibition centre café
On-site diningParking: On-site parking is paid. Pay at the parking machine by card or in the Mobilly app, selecting the SIC payment area. The 2026 gate price was EUR 5 per car; the 2027 tariff was not printed.
Gate: Enter from Ķīpsalas iela at the main exhibition-centre doors. Trolleybus and bus stop “Ķīpsala” is a short walk from the entrance.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Ticket info
Badge collection
Buy or collect a ticket at the main entrance; school groups should register the lead teacher and keep the group together at the gate.
Ticket notes
The official 2027 page says ticket purchases are not yet possible and will open closer to the event, so no 2027 price is published. The 2026 public gate price was EUR 6 for adults, EUR 4 for pensioners and people with disabilities, and free for children under 7; treat those as last-edition reference only.
Who runs the show
SIA BT 1
Organiser
What's on
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
Visitors: 15,743
Exhibitors: 118
Edition #: 31
Exhibitor countries: 5
This edition
2027
Visitors: 16,500
Exhibitors: 125
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
The 31st Skola closed on 21 February 2026 after three days at Ķīpsala. The organiser reported 118 participants from five countries and 15,743 visitors, with more than 90 presentations, discussions, workshops and shows.
New this edition
Kāp kopā ar Skolu!
A new environmental installation, “The Stairs of Life”, where university rectors placed symbolic objects representing their 2026 priorities.
SourceImpact
Skola sits at the start of Latvia’s admission cycle, when school leavers are still shaping their shortlist. A presence here reaches students, parents and career advisers before open days and summer applications, and it gives vocational providers the same audience that universities compete for.
Audience quality
The audience is broad but motivated: secondary-school leavers, their parents, teachers and career counsellors, plus adults considering retraining. Volume is high and concentrated over three days, so lead quality depends on qualifying conversations rather than raw badge scans.
Exhibitor outcomes
For universities and colleges, the fair is a recruitment channel measured in qualified enquiries, applications and offer conversions rather than on-site sales. Education suppliers and language schools get shorter payback because they can sell courses or materials directly. Budget for a Baltic-language speaker and follow-up within 48 hours.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Riga is the largest city in the Baltic states and Skola is the region’s best-established education fair. For institutions recruiting from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, it compresses a season of school visits into three days and puts vocational and higher-education options in front of families at the moment they decide.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Skills-first hiring reshapes study choice
Employers increasingly screen on demonstrable skills, so students and parents compare vocational and applied programmes against traditional degrees. Fairs that show workshops and taster sessions convert better than brochure-only stands.
What it changes: Exhibitors should lead with employability outcomes and hands-on demos rather than programme catalogues.
International mobility is back on the shortlist
Baltic students are again comparing Erasmus exchanges, Nordic and German study options and English-taught degrees. Institutions that explain tuition, recognition and visa steps on the stand shorten the decision cycle.
What it changes: Foreign exhibitors need Latvian-language materials and clear fee and recognition answers.
AI and digital skills enter every curriculum
Schools and universities are folding AI literacy, data skills and digital tools into programmes, and EdTech suppliers are using fairs to demonstrate classroom-ready products.
What it changes: EdTech and teaching-supply exhibitors can win trials by demoing to teachers and school leaders.
Three February fairs let recruiters cover the Baltic capitals in a single run, with Skola as the largest and most established stop.
Baltic February run
Travel Tallinn–Riga–Vilnius by bus or air; allow a rest day between fairs.
Skola dates from the official organiser; adjacent circuit dates are editorial estimates and should be reconfirmed.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Main gateway for Riga; taxi, Bolt and bus 22 connect to the city centre. Allow extra time in snow.
10 km
to venue
15–20 minutes
by car
Useful alternative for a Baltic circuit; intercity bus or hire car to Riga.
about 295 km
to venue
3 hours 30 minutes by car
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 45–70 / night
Simple three-star rooms, 10–20 minutes by tram or taxi to Ķīpsala. February rates are low season.
USD 85–130 / night
Walkable to Old Town and a short taxi ride over the river to the venue; breakfast usually included.
USD 160–260 / night
Five-star or full-service riverside hotels; book early if the fair overlaps a city event.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Trolleybus
Buy in the Mobilly app or from a ticket machine; validate on board. Trams and buses use the same ticket.
Taxi / ride-hail
Bolt and Yandex are widely used; agree the meter or app price. Airport to centre is about EUR 15–22.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay visa (C) | Business visitors from countries without a Schengen visa-waiver agreement | $100.00 | 15 calendar days, longer in peak periods | |
| Visa-free / ETIAS | Citizens of the EU/EEA, UK, US, Canada and other waiver countries | — | ETIAS authorisation, when operational |
EU/EEA citizens travel on an ID card. Many other nationalities need a Schengen visa; check the Latvian MFA list for your passport before booking.
Latvia applies the EU ATA carnet system for temporary admission of exhibition goods; list all equipment and keep the counterfoils with the shipment.
Official visa pageWeather
February is Riga’s coldest month: daytime highs around -1°C to 2°C, nights of -6°C to -2°C, frequent snow and a raw wind off the Daugava. Pavements can be icy, so wear boots with grip and allow extra transfer time.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Mobile data is fast and cheap across Latvia; EU roaming applies. The exhibition centre offers Wi-Fi in public areas, though exhibitors should bring their own hotspot for live demos.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Language
Latvian is the official language; Russian is widely understood in Riga. Younger audiences speak good English, but a Latvian-language stand sign and leaflet materially improve engagement.
Punctuality and payment
Meetings start on time and card payment is normal almost everywhere. Tipping around 10% is appreciated in restaurants but not required.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: RIX – Riga International Airport
Book 6–10 weeks ahead for February; Riga is a short hop from Stockholm, Helsinki, Warsaw and Frankfurt. Tuesday and Wednesday departures are usually cheapest.
Book flightsSchengen rules apply. EU/EEA citizens need only an ID card; many other visitors need a short-stay C visa, and waiver nationalities should check the current list before travel.
Estimated cost: USD 100 (EUR 90 Schengen visa fee) plus insurance and service fees
Processing: 15 calendar days, apply at least 4 weeks ahead
Bring an invitation letter from the organiser if applying as a business visitor, plus proof of accommodation and travel medical insurance.
OfficialPartnerGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Taxi or Bolt from RIX takes 15–20 minutes and costs about EUR 15–22; bus 22 runs to the city centre, then tram or taxi over the river.
Hotel → venue: From Old Town or Centrs, take trolleybus 5, 12 or 25 to “Ķīpsala” (10–20 minutes) or a 10-minute taxi.
Ride-hail: Bolt is the most reliable app in Riga; Yandex also operates. Expect EUR 8–15 from the centre and EUR 15–22 from the airport.
Public transit: Riga’s trolleybus, tram and bus network uses a 90-minute ticket (about EUR 2.00). Validate on board or in the Mobilly app.
Parking: Paid on-site parking at Ķīpsala, paid by card at the machine or through Mobilly (SIC zone). The 2026 rate was EUR 5 per car.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: February
Temperature: -6°C to +2°C
Seasonality: Snow, sleet and icy pavements are common; daylight lasts about 9 hours.
Packing: Waterproof boots with grip, a warm coat, gloves and a scarf. Indoor halls are heated, so dress in layers.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Friday 19 February 2027
Friday brings organised school groups and career advisers while the weekend family rush has not yet arrived, so stands are busy but conversations are still possible. Saturday is better for parents and younger students; Thursday is quieter for a first orientation.
Shortlist institutions and programme tracks — Use the exhibitor list to choose 8–10 stands across higher and vocational education.
Check admission requirements and deadlines — Note grade requirements, entrance exams and language certificates for each shortlisted programme.
Book travel and accommodation — Riga hotels are quiet in February, but book a refundable rate near a trolleybus line.
Prepare questions and a CV/profile sheet — Print a one-page summary of grades, interests and questions; bring a reusable bag for brochures.
Check the programme and plan the route — Pick stage talks, mark stand numbers on the floor plan and charge your phone.
Arrive, collect badge and pick up the show guide
Main entrance, Ķīpsalas iela 8Walk the higher-education hall and shortlist programmes
Main exhibition hallAttend a stage talk on study and career paths
Stage areaLunch and informal chat with admissions staff
Exhibition centre caféVisit vocational and EdTech stands, then review notes
Vocational zoneRiga Old Town (Vecrīga)
Walking Tour
1 km, 15 minutes by tram or 25 minutes on foot
UNESCO-listed streets, the House of the Blackheads and St Peter’s Church; easy to combine with an evening meal.
Jūrmala
Seaside Resort
About 25 km, 35–45 minutes by train
Baltic beach and wooden villa architecture; a bracing winter walk if you have a spare half-day.
Radisson Blu Latvija lobby bar
Hotel bar
Central meeting point for exhibitors and university delegations after the fair closes.
Riga Central Market
Market and food hall
Informal lunch spot in the converted Zeppelin hangars; good for meeting local teachers and advisers.
Skola sits at the start of the admission cycle, so speed matters: students compare several institutions in the days after the fair. A 48-hour follow-up with the exact programme information discussed on the stand outperforms a bulk newsletter.
Budget
Shell scheme
EUR 130–170 / m²
Raw space
EUR 80–110 / m²
Standard booth
9 m²
Estimated Riga exhibition rates for a February education fair; no 2027 exhibitor tariff was published on the fetched pages. Confirm with SIA BT 1 before budgeting.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
booth
exhibitor · shell
EUR 1170–1530 / 9 sqm stand
booth
exhibitor · raw
EUR 2880–3960 / 36 sqm space
hotel
both · budget
USD 45–70 / per night
hotel
both · mid
USD 85–130 / per night
hotel
both · premium
USD 160–260 / per night
travel
both · economy
USD 120–380 / return flight
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| booth | exhibitor | shell | EUR 1170–1530 / 9 sqm stand | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| booth | exhibitor | raw | EUR 2880–3960 / 36 sqm space | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | budget | USD 45–70 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | mid | USD 85–130 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| hotel | both | premium | USD 160–260 / per night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| travel | both | economy | USD 120–380 / return flight | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions to decide whether Skola 2027 is worth a visit, a stand or a skip.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
Which best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You are choosing a programme or guiding someone who is.
Best for
Students, parents, teachers and career advisers comparing study options
Min. budget
$100.00
Timeline
2–4 weeks before the fair
Risks
Crowded school-group mornings
Limited time to see every institution
exhibit
You need direct access to the next intake and can staff a Latvian-speaking stand.
Best for
Universities, colleges, vocational schools and education suppliers recruiting students
Min. budget
$1,500.00
Timeline
8–12 weeks before the fair
Risks
High noise and short conversations
Lead quality depends on qualification
skip
Neither study choice nor student recruitment is relevant to you this year.
Best for
Buyers with no connection to education or Baltic recruitment
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing a useful networking moment in Riga
Book with
Ķīpsala International Exhibition Centre
Riga’s principal exhibition centre on the Daugava, hosting Skola and other Baltic trade fairs.
Venue operator and organiser of Skola.
airBaltic
Latvia’s flag carrier, with direct routes from Riga to Northern Europe and beyond.
National carrier and practical travel option, not an announced event sponsor.
Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia
National education policy body responsible for schools, colleges and higher-education strategy.
Public body relevant to the education sector; not confirmed as an event partner.
Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Business membership body linking employers with education and skills initiatives.
Industry association relevant to careers and employer engagement; not confirmed as an event partner.
Recommended providers
Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Official Schengen visa guidance; apply at least four weeks before travel.
Filter for Old Town or Centrs and free cancellation; February is low season.
Direct flights to Riga from major Northern European cities; book 6–10 weeks ahead.
Exhibition freight and customs clearance; confirm ATA carnet handling before dispatch.
Travel medical and business-travel cover; confirm Schengen minimum coverage.
Riga Old Town and Jūrmala tours; book a flexible evening slot after the fair.
Badge scanning and CRM export; no official event scanner was published.
Gallery
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
4 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
1
Publishers
3
Date checked
SIA BT 1
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
