Vilnius doesn’t take vacation in the summer! There’s no time like the present when the city is buzzing with events, music, festivals and activities. There’s so much action in the sky, in the water and on the ground that it would take almost the whole summer to try it all. The abundance of choice is more intoxicating than the hot sun. Fortunately, you can always refresh yourself with the world’s tastiest cold soup - cold pink soup (Šaltibarščiai), the freshest handmade ice cream or coffee on the open-air terrace. Time to make plans for the summer!
Events
One big party awaits you! No matter what kind of music you like, whether you have free time during the day or at night, Vilnius is glowing with colour and inviting you to dance without stopping. With Lithuanian and international performers, art installations, contemporary theatre and spectacular folk performances, Vilnius is a melting pot of cultures, just as it has been throughout its 701-year history.
A city decorated with youth
The festival “As Young as Vilnius” continues the tradition of celebrating the city’s birthday with a bang not only on the 25th of January, but also half a year later – on the 25th of July – by inviting Vilnius residents and visitors to a free concert taking place all day long and given by the most famous performers. Music, unique visual solutions and original effects is what makes it a really extraordinary show!
100 years of dancing and singing
This summer, from the 29th of June to the 6th of July, Vilnius celebrates a unique anniversary – the centenary of the Song Celebration! The city’s parks and spaces will resound with song, the ground will shake with the rhythm of dancers’ hearts, and everything will remind us of the most important word of the Jubilee Festival – “life” – connecting generations, trees, birds, our past and our future. A whole week of amazing creativity and togetherness will lift you up to the sky.
A city that never sleeps at night
Paintings in the city streets, dancing figures, the musical Old Town at night, echoing stories of theatre characters, creative ideas of local artists and foreign creators: on the 7th of June, the 18th Culture Night will offer many surprises, new talents, the most impressive creations and the most unexpected ideas wrapped in the long summer night. Dances, sounds, lights, classical and electronic art will cover the streets of Vilnius like a dream.
All colours of the rainbow
Tolerance is a fundamental value of Vilnius. The colourful LT Pride march for equality which will take place on the 8the of June only confirms that together we can discuss, support, dream and celebrate all citizens and visitors of Vilnius. It’s time to dress up as brightly as possible and show the world how Vilnius knows how to celebrate its communities.
Musical summer stories
Vilnius is drowning in music in summer! On the 1st of June, the city’s third annual Summer Stories festival starts, enticing you with free performances by some of Lithuania’s most famous artists on a rooftop overlooking the Old Town. From the 17th of July, the Grand Courtyard of the Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania will be shaken by the concerts of the most famous Lithuanian and foreign artists for the eighth year of the Midsummer Vilnius festival. From the 29th of July, fans of classical and global music will enjoy the traditional but original sound of the Christopher Festival.
Corgi Race Vilnius
24 August 2024
Get ready for a tail-wagging adventure like no other! For one summer day, Vilnius will transform into the center of the corgi universe, and we want every dog lover to be a part of it! Held in the heart of Vingis Park, a venue renowned for hosting iconic gatherings, we’re setting up a track near a stadium with 6,000 seats, ensuring every spectator has a prime view of the action. Also, we’re extending a paw-some invitation to corgi enthusiasts from all across Europe and starting a first-ever international corgi race. Our mission is to elevate our dog-loving community to new heights while spotlighting Vilnius as the ultimate corgi hotspot. You won't want to miss this.
Entertainment
The action in Vilnius never stops, whether you’re a picnicker, a wanderer on the forest paths, or just dreaming of soaring above the clouds or warming up on the sand. When the weather is good, enjoying fresh air activities in the city itself is a luxury that you must take advantage of. Whether the sky is sunny or starry, Vilnius invites you to go on an adventure.
Sandy beach dreams
Sand between your toes and in your hair is a summer accessory. Vilnius may not have a sea, but beach volleyball fans don’t have to look far to find a suitable court. The legendary beach volleyball courts near the White Bridge are one of the few in Vilnius where you’ll feel like you’re at the seaside when you enter.
Breath-taking water activities
Sometimes it’s worth greeting the morning in an unconventional way, for example, by paddling on the Neris River on a paddle board and waving to local fishermen with your oar. If you don’t feel like paddling yourself, you can feel the pleasant breeze coming off the water in a gondola. Or you can just walk in the Vilnelė River listening to the most interesting stories. A summer evening with friends is worth celebrating on the deck of a catamaran. Even at night, the water activities in Vilnius don’t end - in the romantic darkness of a kayak, everything looks different. But of course, you can always just enjoy a sunbath on one of Vilnius’ beaches.
Adrenaline-fuelled fun in the sky
Hot air balloons are a common but wonderful sight in Vilnius. Soaring above the clouds and getting a bird’s eye view of the city is an unforgettable experience you should try at least once in your life. For even more adrenaline, the Vilnius Television Tower offers a 170-metre walk along the edge of the sky with safety ropes. Breath-taking views and unforgettable experiences in the skies are guaranteed!
In the city but in the forest
Vilnius is Europe’s greenest capital for a reason. Here you can take a treetop walk in Belmontas Adventure Park or fly over the Neris River in UNO Park. Pūčkoriai Outcrop is a must if you want to see the green surroundings. Take inspiration from the almost 100 works of art scattered throughout Europa Park. The green Vingis Park is always open for sports and picnics with friends. These places are easily accessible by public transport or by car. Read more about transport in Vilnius here.
Flavours
Summer flavours tempt you to sit down and savour Vilnius, creating summer memories. A refreshing cold pink soup (Šaltibarščiai), a cold soup voted the world’s tastiest cold soup by Taste Atlas, an online guide to traditional food, or grilling your own steaks in the open air – all of these are an unmissable summer experience. This summer is also a fateful one for Vilnius restaurants, as the Michelin Guide’s assessors have been digging through a wide range of dishes to decide which restaurants are worthy of stars or recommendations.
The refreshing taste of cold pink soup
Cold pink soup? Cold pink soup! Summer in Vilnius is unimaginable without it. From the traditional Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, which will take place on the 1st of June, during which the whole city turns pink and the cold pink soup flows freely, to a bowl of cold pink soup, which all summer long appears on almost all restaurant menus or even on the walls of city buildings in the courtyard of Bernardinai Park and next to the Loftas Art Factory.
That wonderful smell of steak
What’s summer without outdoor barbecues and sleeping in a tent? You don’t even have to leave the city after work. At Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping you can not only have your first summer barbecue, but also dance at an outdoor concert or sleep under the stars in a tent. You can enjoy barbecues outdoors with your friends in the open grill areas in Vingis Park, on the banks of the Neris River, on the Valakampiai 2nd beach or at the Business Garden Vilnius business park.
Melt-in-your-mouth ice cream
Summer is not summer without ice cream! “Fionos cukrainė” ice cream made from natural ingredients, the most interesting flavours, ice cream with cheese at “Džiugas” house, sherbets suitable for vegans, Gian Luca Demarco’s Italian gelato, lovingly handmade, they will delight not only the little gourmands, but also the big gourmets, as well as the bravest ones, who will try the ice cream with ants at the restaurant “Nineteen 18”.
Slowly enjoyed coffee on the city terrace
In summer, Vilnius transforms into one big open-air terrace. There are plenty of ways to relax with a cup of coffee or a tasty meal while watching other people and not rushing anywhere. Take a seat in a café located by the Town Hall Square overlooking the city’s most beautiful architecture. Find inspiration on Stiklių Street, on the terrace of the spectacularly decorated “Ponių laimė”, or in the French-inspired courtyard of “Augustas ir Barbora Love Story Café”. Gaze down on the city from above while drinking coffee in “Balkonas” located at a theatre. Watch the soothing flow of the Neris River and feel carried along by the river while sitting on the terrace of the “Neries krantinė”. Sit down in the “Rotonda”, surrounded by old chestnut trees, overlooking Gediminas Hill. Spend a slow afternoon surrounded by the park in the Bernardinai Courtyard. Watch the life of Vingis Park come to life at a table in “Vingio istorijos”. Feel pampered in the manicured garden in Žvėrynas “Veranda” or come sit down in the greenhouse at “Panama Food Garden”. Hide away in a secret oasis in the city centre on the terrace of “The Great Tit”. After a visit to the museum, discuss the exhibition at “Eskedar Coffee Terrace” at the House of Histories. Whatever you do, there’s always time to slow down and relax in Vilnius! Find more spectacular terraces in Vilnius here: cafés and terraces with the best views in the city.
The secret of Michelin stars
Vilnius is famous for its talented chefs, surprising original solutions, unique foods made from seasonal local produce, impressive historical cuisine and gourmet experiences. Our inspectors are currently finalising the selection of the first restaurants. Soon, on the 13th of June, we will find out which restaurants can be proud of the first Michelin stars in Lithuania. It’s not only worth queuing up at the restaurants that have earned stars, but also at the restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide. A taste adventure is guaranteed!
