Festivals & events

37 celebrations through the year — pick a day to see what's on.

• New Year's Day (1 January · All regions · National) — The national celebration of the new year, marked with fireworks over Vilnius and festivities across the country.
• Day of Defenders of Freedom (13 January · Vilnius · National) — Commemorates those who died defending independence during the 1991 Soviet crackdown, with bonfires and remembrance events at the TV Tower.
• Užgavėnės (All February · Rumšiškės and Žemaitija · Telšiai & Samogitia) — A colourful pre-Lenten carnival to chase away winter, with wooden masks, pancakes, and the burning of the Morė effigy, especially vivid in…
• Day of Restoration of the State (16 February · All regions · National) — Marks the 1918 declaration of Lithuanian independence, celebrated with flag-raising ceremonies and concerts nationwide.
• Kaziuko Mugė (St Casimir's Fair) (All March · Vilnius · Vilnius Region) — A huge traditional crafts fair honouring St Casimir, filling Vilnius old town with handmade goods, verba palm bouquets, and folk music.
• Day of Restoration of Independence (11 March · All regions · National) — Celebrates the 1990 declaration that restored Lithuania's independence from the Soviet Union, with patriotic events and concerts.
• Kino Pavasaris (Vilnius Film Festival) (All March · Vilnius · Vilnius Region) — Lithuania's largest film festival, showcasing international and Baltic cinema across Vilnius theatres over two weeks.
• Easter (Velykos) (All April · All regions · National) — The major Christian holiday celebrated with painted eggs, family feasts, and church services, plus folk traditions like egg-rolling.
• Kaunas Jazz Festival (All April · Kaunas · Kaunas Region) — One of the Baltics' most respected jazz events, bringing world-class musicians to stages across Kaunas.
• International Labour Day (1 May · All regions · National) — A public holiday marking workers' rights, observed as a spring day of rest across Lithuania.
• Mother's Day (All May · All regions · Vilnius Region) — Celebrated on the first Sunday of May with family gatherings and tributes to mothers across the country.
• Klaipėda Sea Fishing Days (All May · Klaipėda · Klaipėda & Coast) — A maritime-themed spring gathering celebrating the port city's fishing heritage with seafood and coastal culture.
• Vilnius Culture Night (All June · Vilnius · Vilnius Region) — A one-night celebration where courtyards, galleries, and streets across the capital host hundreds of free art and music events.
• Rasos / Joninės (Midsummer) (23–24 June · Kernavė and lakeside regions · National) — The pagan-rooted midsummer solstice festival with bonfires, wreath-floating, and the search for a magical fern blossom, especially atmosphe…
• Statehood Day (Coronation of Mindaugas) (6 July · All regions · National) — Commemorates the 1253 coronation of King Mindaugas, marked by a nationwide singing of the anthem at 9pm and festivities.
• Kernavė State Cultural Reserve Festival (6 July · Kernavė · Vilnius Region) — Living-history and archaeology celebrations at the ancient capital Kernavė, a UNESCO site, featuring crafts, reenactments, and folk rituals.
• Devilstone Open Air Festival (All July · Anykščiai · Utena & Lakes) — An eclectic alternative music festival mixing rock, metal, and world music in the lakeside town of Anykščiai.
• Granatos Live Festival (All July · Kaunas · Kaunas Region) — A summer music festival held by the Kaunas reservoir, drawing crowds for its lakeside stages and diverse lineup.
• Palanga Summer Festival (All July · Palanga · Klaipėda & Coast) — The lively beach resort of Palanga bursts with concerts, street performers, and seaside nightlife throughout the summer season.
• Nida Jazz Marathon (All July · Nida · Klaipėda & Coast) — An intimate jazz festival on the Curonian Spit combining top performers with the stunning dune landscape.
• Sea Festival (Jūros Šventė) (All July · Klaipėda · Klaipėda & Coast) — Klaipėda's biggest annual event with tall ships, maritime parades, concerts, and crafts drawing hundreds of thousands to the port.
• Pažaislis Music Festival (All July · Kaunas · Kaunas Region) — A prestigious classical music festival held over the summer in the baroque Pažaislis Monastery and other venues near Kaunas.
• Karklė Live Music Beach (All August · Karklė · Klaipėda & Coast) — A relaxed seaside music festival on the wild beach of Karklė north of Klaipėda, blending music with Baltic nature.
• Assumption Day (Žolinė) (15 August · All regions · National) — A religious and harvest festival honouring the Virgin Mary, when herbs and flowers are blessed in churches and rural fairs are held.
• Panevėžys City Days (All September · Panevėžys · Panevėžys Region) — A city celebration with concerts, crafts fairs, and street events marking the founding of Panevėžys.
• Capital Days (Sostinės Dienos) (All September · Vilnius · Vilnius Region) — A large end-of-summer city festival filling Vilnius with concerts, street performances, markets, and family activities.
• Šiauliai City Days (All September · Šiauliai · Šiauliai Region) — An annual celebration of the northern city with cultural events, music, and community festivities.
• Sostinės Dzūkijos Grybų Šventė (Mushroom Festival) (All September · Varėna · Alytus & Dzūkija) — An autumn celebration of the Dzūkija forests' famous mushrooms and berries, with foraging, cooking, and folk traditions.
• Vilnius Marathon (All September · Vilnius · Vilnius Region) — Lithuania's biggest running event, drawing thousands of runners through the historic streets of the capital each autumn.
• Marijampolė Suvalkija Harvest Fair (All September · Marijampolė · Marijampolė & Suvalkija) — An agricultural fair celebrating the fertile Suvalkija region's harvest with local produce, crafts, and traditional food.
• Scanorama Film Festival (All November · Vilnius · Vilnius Region) — A leading European film festival showcasing arthouse and award-winning cinema across several Lithuanian cities in autumn.
• All Saints' Day (Vėlinės) (1–2 November · All regions · National) — A solemn holiday when families visit cemeteries and light thousands of candles to remember the dead, creating a glowing atmosphere.
• Vėlinės Candlelight in Cemeteries (2 November · All regions · Kaunas Region) — On the night of All Souls, cemeteries across Lithuania glow with countless candles honouring ancestors, a moving national tradition.
• Tauragė Region Cultural Days (All November · Tauragė · Tauragė Region) — A regional festival highlighting local heritage, folk arts, and community traditions in the borderland town of Tauragė.
• Vilnius Christmas Market (All December · Vilnius · Vilnius Region) — Cathedral Square transforms into a festive market with a spectacular Christmas tree, crafts, mulled wine, and holiday lights.
• Christmas (Kalėdos) (25–26 December · All regions · National) — The major Christian holiday celebrated with the traditional twelve-dish Kūčios supper on Christmas Eve and family festivities.
• Christmas Eve (Kūčios) (24 December · All regions · Vilnius Region) — A deeply cherished family evening with a meatless twelve-dish supper, straw under the tablecloth, and old fortune-telling customs.