Vilnius Shines with Art and Sustainability at 2025 Light Festival
Vilnius Light Festival, running from January 24 to 26, 2025, transforms Lithuania’s capital into an open-air light gallery. Now in its seventh year, the festival emphasizes sustainability, reflecting Vilnius’s role as the European Green Capital 2025. Visitors can explore 16 art installations and experience the picturesque, illuminated city.
January 10, 2025. This January, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, will host the annual Vilnius Light Festival, transforming the city into an open-air gallery of light art. Now in its seventh year, the festival aims to brighten the long winter nights and celebrate the city’s history, art, and innovation. Scheduled to run from January 24-26, 2025, the event coincides with Vilnius’s birthday on January 25 and focuses on sustainability as a central theme.
A celebration of history and light
The idea of celebrating Vilnius's birthday with modern light installations and new media art was inspired by the city’s history. On January 25, 1323, Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas sent a letter to Western Europe to shed light on the country to the Europeans and invite them to settle in Vilnius.
Sustainability at the forefront
As Vilnius takes on its role as European Green Capital 2025, the festival highlights environmental consciousness through three sustainability-focused installations. Among these is Dreamed Sun by renowned Lithuanian artist Agnė Kišonaitė. Created primarily from used tennis balls donated by local players, the installation reflects the artist’s inspiration drawn from the longing for sunlight during dark winter evenings.
The festival will feature 16 installations, including 11 works by international artists such as MID Studio and Paul Friedlander and five by Lithuanian creators. These immersive sculptures, interactive displays, and video projections will invite visitors to explore Vilnius’s streets and courtyards, showcasing how light can transform urban spaces during the darkest time of the year.
Easy to explore
The festival is free to attend. Visitors can download the Vilnius Light Festival app from Google Play Store or the App Store for detailed maps and guides to navigate the event and ensure they don’t miss any installations. Public transportation options, including buses and trolleybuses, will make it easy to explore the festival, while the city’s compact layout encourages walking.
Experiences beyond the festival
While enjoying the festival, visitors can discover Vilnius’s evolving culinary scene, which has earned recent recognition from the MICHELIN Guide. Four local restaurants were awarded MICHELIN stars for their innovative flavors, and casual cafes and bistros offer more relaxed dining options, reflecting the city's growing culinary landscape.
For cosy indoor activities, the MO Museum showcases contemporary art collections, while the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre hosts world-class performances in the evenings. Those seeking relaxation can visit Vilnius’s spas and saunas, which offer warmth and time to unwind after an evening of exploring.
With limited daylight in January, the awaited Vilnius Light Festival is set bring much-needed brightness combined with art, culture, and sustainability to the city residents and visitors.