As is tradition, this year the celebration of the Winter Solstice in Riga’s Town Hall Square will feature the dragging and burning of the Yule log, along with communal singing, dancing, and games. The log procession follows a route: Town Hall Square–Grecinieku Street–Audeju Street–Valnu Street–Kalku Street–Livu Square–Zirgu Street–Dome Square–Jauniela–Town Hall Square. Folklore groups and participants join together in this ritual to drive away evil spirits, encourage fertility, and bring blessings to the city. After the procession, the log is burned in a bonfire, symbolically leaving behind the misfortunes of the old year and welcoming the new year with renewed strength.