Lithuania’s festival life is vibrant all year long. Events that highlight Lithuanian traditions, showcase local talent and attract visitors from abroad fill every weekend of celebration in Lithuania.
Vilnius becomes an epic musical playground on the first Saturday in May for Street Music Day. Parks, streets and concert halls alike come alive with musicians composing beautiful tunes.
1. Kaziukas Fair
Vilnius celebrates spring with the Kaziukas Fair from March 1-3 each year – not only due to the blooming flowers or returning birds but also for this city-old and largest fair that offers ancient traditions with contemporary entertainment and delicious food! Don’t miss it – don’t miss this event!
At its beginning over four centuries ago, local craftsmen and farmers would travel from as far as Poland for celebrations and processions to celebrate St. Casimir’s Day (March 4th). At that time it was customary to sell their goods at the market after church services; hence this fair’s longstanding tradition. Nowadays it serves as an annual cultural event offering music, dance performances, traditional clothes and crafts, local food such as honey cookies, rye bread, honey buns or the iconic Baranka potato roll! Many visitors wear multiple rings of them around their necks!
Pazaislis Music Festival is one of the premier events in Lithuania, drawing in both locals and international performers alike. Widely considered one of Europe’s premier festivals, this celebration provides the ideal environment for fans of modern and classical music alike to come together.
Lithuania celebrates Street Music Day annually on the first Saturday in May, making parks, gardens, streets and schools into music venues where professional and amateur musicians alike perform rock, jazz, classical and folklore songs – making this an unmissable musical event in Lithuania!
2. Blues Nights
Vilnius offers an ideal venue for this festival of blues music lovers. There are numerous clubs and venues providing great blues performances. Additionally, this event presents an invaluable opportunity to meet renowned masters of dance from abroad while expanding one’s knowledge about contemporary art.
Lithuania hosts an incredible festival each July 1st weekend called Varniai Live which offers unique musical entertainment at Varniai village, on Lukstas lake shores. Over time, this festival has welcomed world-renowned musicians like Eugene Bridges (UK), Griff Hamlin (US), Bullfrog Brown (EE), Keksi (LV) Shiver Blues Band (LV), Coolmans Report (NL), Vanesa Harbek Band (AR), Arina ir Veto bank (LT), Coolmans Report (NL), Vanesa Harbek Band (AR), Arina ir Veto bank (LT).
Even among all of Lithuania’s events and festivals, Midsummer celebration is something all locals eagerly anticipate. This day is widely seen as an important symbol of nature’s renewal, so locals love celebrating it by all means possible – including jump over bonfires with brave celebrators jumping over them, searching for mysterious natural wonders like fern blossoms. Also young couples may spend the night searching for mysterious lights hidden among forests until one couple finally discovers one and is declared winners; according to legend it will bring joy and prosperity for their family throughout next year – truly an exciting tradition that’s sure!
3. Pazaislis Music Festival
The Pazaislis Music Festival is one of Lithuania’s premier classical music events, hosting it every summer since 1996 in an old monastery and drawing in thousands of visitors each time. Concerts feature outstanding ensembles and soloists from Lithuania as well as abroad; its main aim being to popularise classical music while enriching cultural life in Kaunas during summer months.
Concerts offer an unforgettable opportunity to spend some time in an ancient monastery while listening to contemporary works by musicians, artists and composers. Festival organisers believe music helps facilitate dreaming; thus they welcome anyone looking to listen to some beautiful compositions.
At the Pazaislis Music Festival, visitors can take a tour to witness historic buildings of Pazaislis Monastery and learn its rich history. Your tour includes a stop at the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights which should not be missed when exploring Lithuania’s past.
Kaunas Juozas Naujalis Music Gymnasium’s cello ensemble will perform “From Baroque to Rock,” featuring iconic compositions by Handel, Losy, Besard and Lennon and McCartney among many others.
This year, the festival will present a concert honoring one of Lithuania’s best-known artists and UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (1875-1911). He made an enormous mark on European arts and culture. The concert’s programme will include some of his key works for piano and orchestra as well as two symphonic poems, four lieder pieces and other musical compositions he was known for.
At this festival, carillon concerts can also be attended. These concerts were created as an initiative by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Lithuania to present Dutch culture to Lithuanian citizens through carillon performances that reflect Dutch tradition. Since its creation, audiences in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda as well as other cities and towns throughout Lithuania have enjoyed these carillon performances.
4. Klaipeda Castle Jazz Festival
Klaipeda Castle Jazz Festival is a gem of a city, uniting jazz musicians from around the globe for three days of electrifying performances – and all for free! Don’t miss out; come experience something incredible at Klaipeda Castle Jazz Festival.
Nicole Zuraitis is one of many multitalented soloists appearing this year. With Lithuanian roots but an undeniably American voice, Nicole has quickly established herself on the New York jazz scene and been compared to great singers such as Diana Krall and Bonnie Raitt.
UNESCO has designated the center of Chicago a World Heritage Site, featuring beautiful architecture, cobblestone streets, cafes and restaurants galore. Don’t miss your opportunity to visit the Museum of History and Culture to uncover its fascinating story of development of our beloved city!
Nemirseta landscape preserve is an equally captivating spot, boasting unique seaside cliffs and pebble beaches that make for stunning sights. Of particular note is Olando Kepure (Dutchman’s Cap), an incredible 24.4 m-high sandy cliff formed 12,000-15,000 years ago during Baltic glaciation that must be seen to be believed.
Lighthouse Tower Located within the preserve and open for visitation at an additional fee, offers beautiful panoramic views across pristine beaches and the Baltic Sea.
As a way of stretching your legs, take a stroll down the Mazvydas Promenade for some rejuvenation. It offers stunning insta-worthy moments thanks to art pieces perched on every bench! Don’t miss checking out the unique mermaid statue under Birzos Bridge; her tail features pre-Euro Lithuanian coins making this statue one-of-a-kind!
5. Uzgavenes
Lithuania hosts one of the premier festivals of contemporary music: Lithuania Modern Music Days. This annual event showcases cutting-edge composition, highest quality musical work and artistic innovations from around the globe – with some of today’s most well-known musicians performing throughout its three days. One of Europe’s key cultural forums as a result.
Established in 1991 and continuing today, this festival is one of the longest running music forums in the country, drawing over 10,000 participants each September and attracting thousands of visitors with its impressive displays of song.
Traditional Midsummer celebrations take a whole new level with this beloved tradition, featuring songs, performances and folk art exhibitions – making for an amazing cultural phenomenon! Even if you don’t understand all of the lyrics sung at this show, it will still make for a fun show to witness!
Vilnius’ oldest and biggest fair, founded in 1797 and dedicated to Saint Casimir’s memory, attracts hundreds of traders and visitors each year. Visitors have an excellent opportunity to shop traditional sweets, artwork, and crafts at this event, and traders offer traditional sweets. Now celebrating many different causes beyond his memory alone!
The MO Museum designed by architect Daniel Libeskind stands out amongst Lithuania’s impressive architecture. This autumn, it will host an eye-catching exhibit that examines modern society’s changing concept of celebrations while freeing individuals from social roles and norms. Accompanying artistic photography will include documentary material on various subcultures.
