Refreshing Coolcation in Vilnius with Hot Air Balloons, Festivals, and Michelin-Starred Gastronomy

Vilnius, one of Europe’s coolest capital cities, offers a "coolcation" with such entertainment as hot air balloon flights over the city center, a corgi race, and Gastronomy Week showcasing newly awarded Michelin restaurants.

July 30, 2024 – Vilnius, Lithuania. While much of the world sweats through summer, Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, has an average temperature of 17.8 °C (64.1°F) in August and 13.1 °C (55.5 °F) in September. Embracing its reputation as a 'cooler city,' Vilnius unveils a diverse lineup of activities, offering a refreshing escape for those fleeing southern heat waves.  

Hot Air Balloon Flights

Vilnius is among the few European cities where hot air balloon flights are permitted directly over the city. Common launch sites include Vingis Park and other open areas in the city, which allow passengers to enjoy the views of the cityscape in the early morning and late evening. Adding to this experience, Vilnius has introduced a red, heart-shaped hot air balloon, that will represent Vilnius during international events, and provide a unique opportunity to explore the Vilnius Historic Center from above.

Another standout experience is a flying restaurant concept prepared by Hot Air Lines in collaboration with chef Deivydas Praspaliauskas from Amandus restaurant, recently highlighted in The Michelin Guide Lithuania. This combines a hot air balloon flight with a gourmet meal featuring seasonal cuisine. Guests enjoy haute-cuisine appetizers and a drink before takeoff, followed by three tastings, dessert, and two drinks served during the flight.

Corgi Race Vilnius (24 August)

The Corgi Race Vilnius has been successful in previous years, drawing thousands of people to cheer on their favorite four-legged competitors. This year, the event is expanding with international guests from Poland, Latvia, and Estonia. This event brings together corgi owners, their pets, and animal lovers for a day of fun in Vingis Park. Spectators can enjoy the best costume contest and cheer on corgis in races. Dogs are grouped by weight, competing in heats, semis, and finals. New this year is the Travel Panorama Corgi Sprint, where one competitor will run a separate track to cover the distance in the shortest time.

Vilnius Capital Days Festival (31 August – 2 September)

The Vilnius Capital Days Festival traditionally marks the beginning of autumn. The festival offers diverse entertainment options, from high-quality pop, rock, electronic, jazz, and world music to classical music and opera. It also includes various entertainment spaces for contemporary art and design exploration, new book introductions, award-winning film screenings, and food tasting. Visitors can also enjoy performances on a stage installed on the Neris River. There are family-friendly places with activities for children and a space for active leisure enthusiasts to try out new sports. Every year, festival organizers ensure surprises for attendees, such as last year's spectacular 70-performance laser show.

LOFTAS Fest (5–8 September)

LOFTAS Fest is the only metropolitan arts and music festival of its kind in Lithuania and is one of the largest urban festivals in the Baltic States. It brings music and art to the urban environment, presenting an original program of contemporary music, art shows, and performances. Last year, 375 musicians, DJs, and artists performed over three days, with a special focus on new and upcoming talents in the showcase space What’s Next in Music? It is expected that this year's celebration will keep up at the same level. The festival also addresses important social issues, such as the consumption of alcohol and psychoactive substances, through educational initiatives.

Rimi Vilnius Marathon (8 September)

Every year, thousands of runners are set to take part in the Rimi Vilnius Marathon, Lithuania's premier running event and one of the fastest-growing marathons in the Baltics. The race begins and finishes at the iconic Cathedral Square in Vilnius, offering participants an interesting route with a lot of variations through scenic views of the UNESCO-listed Vilnius old town, picturesque parks, and the Neris River. Catering to all ages, the marathon includes races for seniors and even toddlers who just started to walk.

Sirenos, Vilnius International Theatre Festival (25 September – 13 October)

The annual Vilnius International Theater Festival Sirenos showcases performances from local and international artists. Highlights include Bernard-Marie Koltès’s West Pier, Florian Zeller’s The Mother, and adaptations like Yana Ross’s Consider the Lobster. The most anticipated show this year is El Conde de Torrefiel’s An Inner Image, known for its innovative blend of visual art and theater. With works from Silke Huysmans, Hannes Dereere, and Dimitris Kourtakis, Sirenos remains a must-attend cultural event.

Vilnius Jazz (16–20 October)

Founded in 1987, Vilnius Jazz is Lithuania's oldest annual jazz festival, recognized as one of the most important jazz hubs in the region. The festival is known for its strong emphasis on innovation, often including academic, ethnic, rock, and industrial music. It aims to introduce Lithuanian jazz enthusiasts to the latest trends in contemporary jazz by featuring new and emerging artists, as well as notable jazz musicians from around the world. The festival's prestigious lineup has included renowned groups and artists such as The Zawinul Syndicate (USA), Sonny Simmons-Oliver Lake Quartet (USA), and Cinematic Orchestra (UK). The Festival usually offers a 3-4 day program of concerts, workshops, and jam sessions.

Lithuanian Gastronomy Week (4–10 November)

The debut of The Michelin Guide Lithuania this year spotlighted numerous Lithuanian restaurants, which will be featured during the Lithuanian Gastronomy Week. Michelin star-awarded spots like Džiaugsmas, led by Chef Martynas Praškevičius, impressed with an inventive tasting menu featuring dishes like a doughnut with black pudding and halibut with shrimp mousse. The restaurant Nineteen18 offered an interactive farm-to-table dining experience by Chef Andrius Kubilius. Demo, transforming from a café to a restaurant on select evenings, showcased Chef Tadas' imaginative set menus, with highlights like suckling lamb and Kogel Mogel dessert. The restaurant Pas mus, led by Chef Vita, featured a seasonal surprise menu with foraged ingredients, including the standout raspberry snow dessert with white chocolate ganache. These and more culinary creations and experiences will be available during the Lithuanian Gastronomy Week.

Vilnius Auto Museum

Recently opened in the legendary Vilnius taxi park, the Vilnius Automobile Museum has quickly gained recognition as one of the world's best car museums according to Google Reviews and the prestigious UK digital car marketplace, Auto Trader. Visitors praise the impressive car collections and engaging guides. The exhibits narrate the history of automotive evolution and the stories of those who drove these vehicles. Highlights include Alvaro S. Krotzo's Sears Motor Buggy, which owners assembled themselves, and the Delage D8L, carried through jungles for the King of Nepal. Other notable cars are the Hispano-Suiza, beloved by European monarchs and Albert Einstein, and the iconic Messerschmitt KR200, a three-wheeled car popular in Hollywood and among stars like Elvis Presley.