From Skiing to Winter Light Festivals: Why Lithuania is the Place for Festive Fun this Year
From Skiing to Winter Light Festivals:
Why Lithuania is the Place for Festive Fun this Year
Christmas and New Year are a lovely time to visit Lithuania, with festive markets selling traditional foods and crafts, sparkling trees and other decorations, and cosy seasonal dining in restaurants – where local favourites include beetroot soup with mushroom dumplings, traditionally enjoyed on Christmas Eve. There is also an array of festive activities to be enjoyed all around the country, from the capital to the ski resorts.
Vilnius
Christmas tree lighting and market, December 1st to January 7th
Christmas in Vilnius begins with the most gorgeous Christmas tree, lit from1st December (accompanied by an opening concert) until 7 January 2024, and continues with a colourful and authentic Christmas market, a Christmas train around Vilnius Old Town, plus a Santa’s grotto (December 2nd to 31st).
https://www.vilnius-events.lt/en/renginiai/kaledos-sostineje/
https://www.govilnius.lt/christmas-in-vilnius-2023
https://kakava.lt/en/event/santa-s-residence-december/7139
Legend – Vilnius Dream ice show, December 2nd–30th
This musical performance full of futuristic technology will allow you to learn the history of the city in the visual language of today, with dozens of dancers and figure skaters accompanied by unique projections on the facade of the venue, the Palace of the Grand Dukes.
At non-show-times the ice rink is open to the public, with professional coaches on hand for those who’ve never tried it before.
https://kakava.lt/en/event/ice-show-legend-vilnius-dream-december/7138
https://kakava.lt/en/event/the-ice-of-the-palace-of-the-grand-dukes-of-lithuania-december/7137/12410
Christmas Design Square, December 13th–17th
After a break of several years, this artisan market on Vincas Kudirka Square will feature around 50 Lithuanian creators, artists and designers presenting their latest products and exclusive gifts.
The Joy of Freedom festive gala concert, December 6th
One of the most anticipated concerts of December has been a tradition since 2012. This year’s festive gala concert at the Lithuanian National Philharmonic stars opera supremo Nomeda Kazlaus along with Swedish countertenor Viktor Priebe and Italian pianist Vincenzo de Martino.
https://kakava.lt/en/event/festive-gala-concert-the-joy-of-freedom-stars-nomeda-kazlaus-viktor-priebe/6784/11509
Ski park – Liepkalnis
On the outskirts of Vilnius are 10 ski tracks classed by level of difficulty, from beginner to pro, in a skiing area equipped with an innovative snow-making system. The snow park has 20–30 different obstacles, and, from this season, a brand-new belt-lift on the beginners’ track.
https://liepkalnis.lt/en/
Lumina Park
This is the most fitting place to see out Vilnius’ 700th anniversary year, in Kalnų Park, with light installations that will take you back to the time of the capital’s founder, Duke Gediminas. Almost 2km long, the pathway features illuminated sculptures by artist-architect Mantas Maziliauskas, reflecting the wars and battles fought in the castles of that time.
Kaunas
The hub of the festive period in in this south-central city with its castle and cathedral basilica is Town Hall Square with its royal tree, domed market traders, educational space and Santa’s grotto. Workshops will include baking cakes, decorating donuts, and making light-up toys. There will also be a full 319 Christmas tree arrangements on Vilnius Street.
Outside Kaunas, Barborlaukis Manor has spectacular Christmas decorations, the chance to pet and feed the alpacas at its farm, a tree dedicated to dreams and wishes, Santa’s post office, an outdoor Christmas photo studio, meetings and games with Santa, and creative workshops.
https://kaledos.kaunas.lt/?lang=en
https://www.facebook.com/barborlaukiodvaras
Druskininkai
Holidays in this southern spa city are very special, with a nativity scene with live sheep in the square at the Church of the Virgin Mary, organ music and carols at weekends, a park of Christmas trees around the Druskininkai Music Fountain in Gydylių Park, and concerts, photo sessions, workshops and a Santa’s grotto in the main square, next to the big Christmas tree.
Druskininkų Kalėdos 2023 | Renginių ciklas (druskininkai.lt)
Anykščiai
There’s no better time to visit the Angel Museum—Sacred Art Centre in this ski resort town than before Christmas, to see its hundreds of wooden, ceramic, glass and other angels, as well as other work by folk artists and painters. The museum has an Angel Mailbox to which you can entrust your most secret wishes, as well as seasonal activities such as Angel Spells, Stained Glass Variations, Christmas Cribs and Christmas Postcards.
Rumšiškės
The first-ever Moon Trails light installation and lantern festival in Lithuania will take place in the unique space of the Lithuanian Folk Life Museum in Rumšiškėsd 20km east of Kaunas from now until February 3rd 2024. It invites you to immerse yourself in a magical world of mysterious forest dwellers, fairies, angels, light sculptures inspired by Lithuanian culture and history, and, the harbinger of the biggest winter festivals, the nine-horn deer.
https://kakava.lt/en/event/zibintu-festivalis-menulio-takais-gruodis/7042/12137
Pakruojis
Two themes await visitors at the Winter Festival of Lights at Pakruojis Manor in this town north of Kaunas: space and the depths of the oceans. There will also be a Santa Claus grotto, a North Star Christmas Post Office and other festive fun.
Molėtai
In the unique and quirky Žalvaris amusement park in this historic town in northeastern Lithuania, winter is the time to to try out ice-skating, swimming in freezing water, skiing, and visiting exhibits on skis on a new 1.3km track (skis need to be brought with you).
Trakai
This year, the main Christmas tree in this town in southeastern Lithuania, west of Vilnius, will shine in a new public space – in front of the lake castle, on Vytautas the Great’s Quay. The ‘City of Christ Stars’ will have a skating rink open all winter on the observation deck in front of the castle, Christmas Factory workshops in Trakai Art School and a fair on Karaimų Street. There will also be activities at the Trakai Traditional Crafts Centre, where you can make cakes, gingerbread and caramel lollipops or learn to make Tatar cuisine.
https://www.trakukrastas.lt/edukacijos/kaledines
Širvintai
In this region of Vilnius County in the east, you can see the ‘Lithuanian Rudolphs’ at the reindeer farm Deer SPA. As well as feeding the beautiful creatures and learning more about their lives, you can meet Santa Claus and listen to elf stories around the campfire.
https://www.facebook.com/ElniuSPA
For more information or high-res images, please contact [email protected]
Images: Trakai, copyright: Andrius Aleksandravičius; Vilnius Christmas tree
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