Vilnius’ major events of 2024
Vilnius is always full of ideas and never sleeps! No matter what time of year or what kind of weather it is, the cultural life is always vibrant. Events that have become a tradition attract hordes of new fans every year, enticing them with novel adventures. Discover music or theatre innovations, the diversity of art and culture, the latest trends being presented, and a special atmosphere that is full of ideas.
Vilnius Light Festival
25-28 January 2024
In the darkest time of year, Vilnius shines in a way that the whole world can see. The annual Vilnius Light Festival is a striking birthday gift for the capital of Lithuania and all of its residents and visitors. Light artists from Lithuania and all over the world illuminate the city with unexpected installations – not only in the most popular places in town, but in more remote corners as well. Look for works of art in the Old Town or become part of the interactive installations yourself.
Vilnius Old Town
https://lightfestival.lt/
Vilnius Book Fair
22-25 February 2024
Books are a gateway to thousands of worlds, and the Book Fair invites you to discover new authors, get your favorite writers’ autographs, buy the latest books, or take part in discussions. The largest and most important book fair in the Baltic States presents around 500 events and 300 publishers from Lithuania and abroad. Around 50,000 people visit it every year!
LITEXPO, Laisvės Ave. 5
Kaziukas Fair
8-10 March 2024
The brightest harbinger of spring in Vilnius is Kaziukas Fair, which is a tradition that has been going on for more than 400 years. The wares crafted with love by artisans, delicious smells of food, bounty of local produce, concerts and entertainment for the whole family spread the message of the awakening city throughout Vilnius. With a Kaziukas Fair meduolis (honey cookie) in one hand and a verba (Easter palm) in the other, these memories are guaranteed to last a long time.
Vilnius Old Town
Kaziukas (St. Casimir) Fair | Vilnius Events (vilnius-events.lt)
Cinema Spring
14-27 March 2024
Every year, cinema lovers look forward to the traditional herald of spring. Award-winning films, classic masterpieces, contemporary cinematic wonders, critically acclaimed productions, the most outstanding discoveries of the past year, and Lithuanian premieres will draw you into the realm of cinema. Such a concentration of good cinema is intoxicating and gives one a sense of abundance. And then there are the meetings with filmmakers and the endless post-film discussions – Cinema Spring never fails to amaze.
Museum Night
18 May 2024
One night a year, the museums of Vilnius open their doors to visitors as the capital of Lithuania joins almost 30 European countries in showing their most impressive exhibits after the sun goes down. On this night, museums transcend their borders and offer activities not only in their premises, but in the city as well. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit museums, participate in educational programmes or creative workshops, and hear incredible stories, all free of charge.
Street Music Day
18 May 2024
How does a concert of 5,000 artists sound on the streets of Vilnius? Now in its 16th year, Street Music Day turns Vilnius into one big stage, with space for musicians of all genres and all levels of experience. This city-wide concert has something for everyone. You’ll feel like a movie star whose every step comes with its own soundtrack – whether you’re waiting at the bus stop, enjoying a cup of coffee in a café, or just crossing the street, the music will create the right mood for you. You can also take part yourself – just grab a drum and join the traditional Drum2gether percussion parade!
Vilnius Old Town
Vilnius Pink Soup Fest
1 June 2024
Vilnius is coming down with “pink fever” for the second time. Šaltibarščiai (cold borscht), the quintessential summer dish, will kick off the season and pour out into Vilnius’s streets, bars, shops and art galleries. The colour pink will reign over the city, and the smell of šaltibarščiai will beckon from afar. And don’t limit yourself to just the traditional soup – try some pink coffee or some šaltibarščiai-flavoured desserts as well. Visit pink exhibitions or participate in pink entertainment. Šaltibarščiai is the hottest item of the season in Vilnius.
Vilnius Old Town
Culture Night
7 June 2024
Is it possible to see more than a hundred events in a single night? The Culture Night programme is put together in such a way that each of the approximately 150,000 visitors will find something just for them. Even though Vilnius is a compact city, on Culture Night there is enough space for free exhibitions, performances, theatre productions, concerts, cinema, and opportunities to meet Lithuanian and foreign creatives and participate in lectures and educational programmes.
Vilnius Old Town
Song Festival
29 June - 6 July 2024
With the voices of thousands of choristers ringing out, the Song Festival, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, will begin with the words “May the Green Forest Grow”. The Song Festival is a historical thread that connects the past with the future through dance and song. It reminds us of life, which cannot be suppressed or forgotten, because it is one, yet it belongs to all of us. Witness a historic event and experience an indescribable sense of unity when you hear traditional choir songs or watch thousands of dancers perform folk dances in complete sync.
Festival "As Young As Vilnius"
25 July 2024
Vilnius celebrates the feast day of St Christopher, its patron saint, in a way that reverberates throughout the entire city. Despite the fact that Vilnius is more than 700 years old, it will always be young enough at heart to be able to party until dawn and guarantee a good time for everyone celebrating. Various artists of different music genres will be giving free concerts all day long for locals and guests to enjoy. Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate!
Vingis Park
Christopher Summer Festival
July-August 2024
For a whole two months, Vilnius will live to the rhythm of the Christopher Summer Festival. This will give you enough time to visit more than 40 original events presenting a wide spectrum of music, where classical music masterpieces are intertwined with jazz or experimental projects, and traditional instruments resound anew. The festival will feature internationally acclaimed musicians and the latest European music trends. One moment music will be playing in halls, and the next – on a ship sailing down the Neris or in one of Vilnius’s many parks.
Vilnius City Fiesta
30 August - 1 September 2024
To make it easier to start autumn, the first weekend of September in Vilnius traditionally turns into a real fiesta. Sports events, fairs, concerts, exhibitions and incredible food flood the city’s streets, open spaces and venues. With unforgettable adventures during the day and unique shows at night, Vilnius will show you what it has to offer.
Rimi Vilnius Marathon
8 September 2024
Join 10,000 runners and complete the annual Rimi Vilnius Marathon. Are you up for the 42 km challenge? If the distance is too scary, choose half a marathon or 10 km, run 5 km with your family or introduce your children to the fun sport of running a 200-metre distance. This marathon is also a great opportunity for record-breaking professionals to compete. Everyone can run. It's time to get your running shoes ready and explore Vilnius Old Town on foot.
Vilnius Old Town
LOFTAS fest
12-14 September 2024
In September, life returns to the city, and so do music festivals to the urban environment. LOFTAS fest invites you to the only urban music festival in the Baltics in a former factory area. Well-known and up-and-coming Lithuanian and international talents, electronic music, names from the techno world, debates, street art installations and street food guarantee a unique experience.
LOFTAS Art Factory, 29 Švitrigailos str.
The Nation Fair
13-15 September 2024
This fair is a gourmet paradise. The smells and tastes of the various national cuisines, prepared right on the street, tempt you from afar. Lithuanian potato pancakes, the famous German sausages, Karaite meat pastries (kibinai) and other delicacies will not leave you hungry. But this is not just a paradise for gourmets. Here you can learn about national customs and household traditions, take part in concerts and exhibitions. Every year, craftsmen and culinary masters from Lithuania’s ethnic communities, as well as song and dance virtuosos, present themselves at the fair.
Vilnius Old Town
Tourism Day
27 September 2024
Stroll in Vilnius in a different way - set off on free guided sightseeing tours to places that would be off-limits on any other day, hear unexpected stories, take part in engaging games around the city and discover Vilnius in an unexpected light. Good mood, new insights and prizes are waiting for you!
Vilnius Old Town
Vilnius International Sirenos Theatre Festival
September - October 2024
Break free from your routine and experience a unique phenomenon – the international Sirenos theatre festival is becoming an annual event that invites you to discover the most interesting contemporary works. Engage in dialogue, expand your horizons, rid yourself of stereotypes, and become the missing link between the creator and the viewer. Different fields of art, genres, nationalities and generations create a harmony here that make you want to come back year after year.
Vilnius Jazz
16-20 October 2024
Already in its 37th year, this festival has a legion of loyal fans, but every year it discovers new artists who appeal to an even wider audience. Intriguing acquaintances, surprise musical comebacks and performances by jazz greats that make the stage shake expand the boundaries of music and invite you to immerse yourself in the diversity of jazz. Musicians from Lithuania and all over the world will reveal their interpretation of jazz and introduce you to the evolution of the genre.
Gastronomy Week
November 2024
Visit Vilnius restaurants and taste the most unexpected flavors of Vilnius, prepared especially for Gastronomy Week! Restaurant chefs will present their tasting menus and special offers, and will invite you to discover both exotic dishes and the bounty of Lithuanian forests and farms. The plates are true masterpieces of art, and the fate of the Gastronomy Star of the Week is in your hands, so taste and give us your verdict.
Christmas in Vilnius
December 2024 - January 2025
Experience the magic of Christmas in Vilnius. The sparkling city is home to the most beautiful tree in Europe, and with its Christmas train around the Old Town and festive Christmas market, it creates miracles. The annual traditions and unprecedented innovations in the streets spread a joyful atmosphere, remind us of good deeds and make dreams come true. Create your own festive programme in the city and play Christmas games, become Christmas elves and maybe even beat Santa Claus!
