Vilnius Streets Turn into Rivers of Pink Soup as Thousands Celebrate at Vilnius Pink Soup Fest
The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius was swept up in a wave of pink as thousands gathered to celebrate the third annual Vilnius Pink Soup Fest – a vibrant and playful tribute to Lithuania’s most iconic dish, šaltibarščiai (cold pink beet soup).
Dedicated to the country’s most popular summer dish, the festival marks the start of the warm season with fun and flair. Festivities included pink-themed costumes, competitions, art, and, of course, plenty of pink soup.
A City Awash in Pink
Dressed head to toe in pink soup–inspired costumes, more than 10 thousand festivalgoers filled the streets with laughter and colour, embracing the spirit of the Pink Soup Parade.
From hats and sunglasses to shoes and even pets adorned with pink ribbons, Vilnius was transformed into a sea of pink. Dancers, stilt walkers, marching bands, and whimsical "soup characters" led the joyful crowd through the city.
A giant Pink Soup Flag also flew above the city from the Vilnius TV Tower, marking the day as a true summer celebration.
Mayor Valdas Benkunskas joined the parade with his family, showing his support for what has quickly become one of Vilnius’s most beloved traditions.
“Vilnius is the only city in the world with a celebration quite like this,” said Dovilė Aleksandravičienė, Head of Go Vilnius, the city’s tourism and business development agency. “The Pink Soup Fest is no longer just a local event—it’s a joyful occasion for international visitors as well.”
A Festival of Energy and Imagination
The day kicked off with the Pink Soup Walking Challenge, a 10.5-kilometre route winding through Vilnius’s most charming (and sometimes pink-painted) streets. Hundreds participated – many in costume – alongside their families and pets.
Sports and hospitality enthusiasts joined the Pink Waiters’ Run, inspired by Parisian coffee races and Munich’s beer-carrying contests. Participants dashed through the city, balancing bowls of pink soup while trying not to spill a drop.
Pink Soup Costume Competition at the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest 2025. Photo by Go Vilnius
Fans of dressing up had their moment in the spotlight during the Pink Soup Costume Contest, where imaginative outfits – ranging from eggs to beetroots – were showcased for a chance to win prizes.
“Just as Spain has La Tomatina and Pamplona has its running of the bulls, Vilnius now has the Pink Soup Fest – full of colour, creativity, and even people sliding down a hill into a giant pink soup bowl,” Aleksandravičienė added.
Tasting the Flavours of Vilnius
Throughout the city, restaurants and street food stalls served both traditional and modern interpretations of pink soup. Typically made with beetroot, cucumber, egg, and kefir, the dish saw inventive twists – from plant-based versions to spicy takes.
Cafés offered other rosy-hued delights like pink pizza and beet-based cocktails, adding even more flavour to the festivities.
Even Vilnius Railway Station joined the celebration, turning pink and hosting special Pink Dinner events.
Now in its third year, the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest continues to elevate šaltibarščiai to iconic status – extending its fame far beyond the culinary world. The festival’s unique blend of food, fashion, and community has sparked not only a pink fashion trend, but also digital buzz: the globally popular mobile game Cooking Fever launched a special Vilnius edition featuring pink soup just in time for the event.
