Vilnius Named European Christmas Capital 2025

Vilnius has been named European Christmas Capital 2025, offering a compact, walkable and culturally rich alternative to some of Europe’s busier seasonal destinations. Just a three-hour flight from the UK, the Lithuanian capital brings together historic streets, Christmas markets and winter events all within easy reach of one another.

Beyond Vilnius, festive experiences extend across Lithuania, from the medieval lakeside setting of Trakai, to the Art Deco architecture of Kaunas, and the atmospheric Manor of Pakruojis.

A Christmas Tree with International Recognition

Vilnius’ Christmas tree has gained international attention in recent years. Germany’s largest travel portal, Travelbook.de, recently included it among the world’s ten most impressive festive trees.

The Tree Lighting event on 29 November is one of the city’s major seasonal moments, featuring performances from leading Lithuanian artists. The display remains in place until 6 January, coinciding with Epiphany celebrations.

Around the tree, the Christmas market at Cathedral Square offers traditional mulled wine, festive baked goods and Lithuanian crafts including knitted wool items, wooden decorations and seasonal souvenirs. The market runs from 29 November to 28 December.

Visitors of all ages can take the Christmas Train, which travels through the Old Town on a 20-minute circular route. The train is accessible for blind and deaf passengers and welcomes pets. The main stop is located beside Cathedral Square.

Cathedral Square also hosts the city’s New Year celebration, where the Cathedral Bell Tower becomes illuminated with colourful light projections for a low-impact, visually striking alternative to traditional fireworks.

Beyond the Square: Where Christmas Really Lives

Just a short walk away, Rotušės Square features an open-air skating rink, operating from 30 November to 1 February. Set among baroque buildings and festive lights, it offers a central location for both locals and visitors.

The Vilnius Christmas Run takes place on 6 December, marking its 50th anniversary in 2025. Participants can choose 3 km, 6 km or 12 km distances, with many dressing in seasonal costumes. Families can join the shorter Dwarfs’ Run.

Culture-focused visitors can explore Istorijų namai (The House of Histories), located near Cathedral Square. Its winter exhibition, open until 4 January, examines the lives of two Vilnius-born women who became queens of Poland and Sweden 500 years ago, highlighting the region’s influence on European dynasties.

The festive period concludes with the Procession of the Three Kings on 6 January. Beginning near the Gates of Dawn, the procession moves through the Old Town before finishing at Cathedral Square with a traditional performance and the placement of the nativity crib.

Trakai – The Frozen Fairy Tale

Located just 30 minutes from Vilnius, Trakai is known for its 14th-century island castle, set on Lake Galvė. In colder winters, the lake often freezes, creating a striking winter landscape and, on some days, making it possible for locals to skate around its edges.

Inside the castle, a museum presents Lithuania’s medieval history through armour, artefacts and interactive displays. Wooden bridges connect the surrounding islands, offering scenic viewpoints and winter photography locations.

Kaunas – Art Deco Meets Festive Cheer

Lithuania’s second-largest city, Kaunas, offers a combination of architecture, design and seasonal events. Each December, the city unveils one of the country’s most creative Christmas trees and a market featuring local crafts, mulled wine and festive treats.

Visitors can explore the Art Deco Museum, the Amsterdam School Museum, and a network of UNESCO-recognised streets showcasing interwar architecture.

Families may enjoy the Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum, one of Europe’s oldest, with displays ranging from exotic birds to African mammals. A visit to Spurginė, a long-standing retro doughnut café, provides a distinctive local stop.

Santa’s Residence and Manor Wonders

At Kalėdų Senelio Rezidencija (Santa’s Residence) in Harmony Park, around 30 minutes from Kaunas, young visitors can meet Father Christmas from 1 to 23 December 2025. Activities include letter-writing, storytelling, singing and dancing. Each child receives a “Good Behaviour Certificate”, a festive photo and a Christmas storybook.

At Pakruojo Dvaras (Manor of Pakruojis), one of Lithuania’s largest historic estates, visitors are welcomed before exploring the Fairytale of Snowflake Christmas experience and adding ornaments to the manor’s tree.

The estate also houses the Panoptikum, a 19th-century collection featuring unusual figures such as pipe-smoking moose and bicycle-riding ferrets. The Salon de Fortune offers seasonal fortune-telling traditions, while the historic Žaldokas brewery provides a warm stop for traditionally brewed beers, hot drinks and freshly baked pastries.

A Practical Christmas Alternative

For travellers seeking a festive break with established traditions, accessible attractions and good value, Lithuania offers a range of winter events across its cities and countryside. From historic markets and cultural exhibitions to family activities and seasonal landscapes, the country provides a varied Christmas programme without the crowds often associated with larger European destinations.