Go Vilnius, the city’s tourism promotion agency, reports that key events happening in the Lithuanian capital over the summer will begin in May.
On Street Music Day (May 18), musicians take to various spots around Old Town with the day culminating in an impromptu drum march together with the festival audience. It will be led by the brass band Moodsellers and end with a concert at the Downtown Forest Hostel in Paupys District.
Open House Vilnius (May 18–19) is an annual event that invites the public to explore the architectural heritage of Lithuania’s capital. The event offers the opportunity to discover various buildings from a new perspective and gain access to some areas that are typically closed to the general public. The tours are free and offered in Lithuanian, English, and Ukrainian.
The Vilnius Pink Soup Fest on June 1 is a newly established annual event that celebrates Lithuania’s iconic cold pink soup, šaltibarščiai. The festival is set to take place on June 1 at Tymas Market. Various versions of the traditional beetroot-based cold soup, which is a staple during the Lithuanian summer, will be available for purchase. Other highlights include a 50-metre slide down the Bastėjos Hill and a soup-inspired costume competition.
Kultūros Naktis – Culture Night (June 7) transforms the city into a lively hub of artistic activity, filled with music, dance, theatre, cinema, photography, and state-of-the-art installations. Various venues across Vilnius, such as museums, galleries, churches, and theatres, open their doors to the public for free. Last year, the Embassy of Japan organized a procession of the traditional Japanese shrine MIKOŠI through the streets of Vilnius, the installation “Arch of Joy” was exhibited in the Town Hall square, and the futuristic art exhibition “CyberVilnius” was held at the Caffeine on Gediminas Avenue.
Lithuanian Pride parade on June 8 is expected to draw up to 20,000 participants from across the Baltic region. In addition to the triennial Baltic Pride, the organizer LGL has introduced Lithuanian Pride to ensure an annual Pride event in Vilnius.
The Lithuanian Song Festival (Dainų Šventė), a historic event held every four years, returns to Vilnius from June 29 to July 6 to mark its 100th anniversary. This event highlights a week of cultural activities including Dance Day, Ensembles Evening, Folklore Day, culminating with Song Day. A record-breaking number of participating choir performers, totalling 37,000 people, along with a choir of 800 children, and about 2,000 international performers from 21 countries will contribute to creating exceptional musical performances.
Keeping this tradition alive through the turbulent times of the 20th century until today, this year’s festival showcases traditional Lithuanian song and dance while also marking a century of cultural resilience. The Song Festival, recognized by UNESCO, played a crucial role during the massive peaceful movement of the Singing Revolution, aiding Lithuania’s freedom movement and the restoration of the country’s independence. This year, the event also celebrates the recent UNESCO recognition of the traditional straw chandeliers or “gardens” (sodai), a cherished symbol of the festival.
Held on Christopher’s Day, July 25, the Music Festival pays homage to St. Christopher, the patron saint of travellers and Vilnius itself. This open-air concert, taking place in Vingis Park, will feature performances ranging from classical orchestras to contemporary pop and rock musicians. Last year’s highlights included opera singers like Edgaras Montvidas, one of the most famous opera performers in the country as well as pop singers like Monika Liu, a Lithuanian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022, and Jessica Shy, a rapidly rising music star.
