Vilnius Christmas Market 2024 & A Unique Christmas Tree

Lithuania in December is chilly but busy with many interesting events and things to do without being overcrowded. I highly rate Vilnius as a winter destination or any time of the year really.

If you’d like to plan a trip, add the Vilnius Christmas Market to your itinerary. Read on for the 2024 dates and all the essentials for planning your trip.

Vilnius Christmas Market 2024

Dates – Confirmed

Vilnius Christmas Market dates: 29th November to 29th December 2024 (confirmed).

Update: Dates were announced in May. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.

Source: Dates are obtained directly from the event trader application form, available here.

Plan Your Visit

Location and Times

Location: Cathedral Square, Vinco Kudirkos Square and Odminių Square.
Opening times: Generally from around lunchtime until early evening.
Christmas Day: Open.

Travel and Accommodation

Recommended tour: Vilnius Then and Now Tour
Public transport: Widely available and accessible.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Travel tip: Walk up the Cathedral Belfry for great photos of the market.
Winter events: Visit the Christmas Design Square for something unique to Vilnius.
Vilnius weather in winter: Temperatures average 0°C / -5°C (high / low) in December.
Where to stay: Artagonist Art Hotel is the most well-located hotel in Vilnius.

Amenities and Attractions

Admission: Free.
Christmas lights: Yes, switch on date yet to be announced.
Santa: Possibly.
Ice skating: Yes, at Lukiškės Prison.
Reason to visit: The incredible modern Christmas Tree and decorations in Cathedral Square. The Vilnius Christmas train is available to take you around the city to see the decorations and markets.

Dietary Options

Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, but limited.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.

Accessibility

Accessible: Yes, Cathedral Square is flat and accessible. The other markets are fine if you can manage cobblestones.
Pet-friendly: Yes, dogs are allowed on a lead.

Convenient Hotels

Cathedral Square is located on the edge of the Old Town in Vilnius. It’s a nice area with several sights and attractions, but you might prefer to stay closer to the Town Hall and City Gate where there are more places to eat out and many museums.

I stayed in a couple of places in Vilnius and found this more central area more convenient.

A good central option is Artagonist Art Hotel, which is exactly halfway between Cathedral Square and the Town Hall.

Discover additional places to stay in this guide to hotels in Vilnius.

Recommended Tours

I recommend this city tour of Vilnius as you get to see all the highlights of the city or maybe consider a food tour where you can learn about the local culture through their cuisine.

On a city tour, you’ll visit the city’s most iconic landmarks and attractions, including the historic Gediminas Castle, Cathedral Square and St Anne’s Church.

While Vilnius is a relaxing city break getaway, consider adding the other Baltic States to your itinerary. Riga in Latvia and Tallinn in Estonia and are close by yet very different cities both aesthetically and culturally.

Get more information: Riga Christmas Market Guide and Tallinn Christmas Market Guide

Location Map

Wrapped up your Christmas visit? We’d love to hear about your experience. Share your story and tag photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets on social media.

What to Expect

Vilnius’ market is known as Christmas Town and is the highlight of winter in Lithuania. Cathedral Square is home to one of the most stunning Christmas trees in the world.

Two other Christmas markets are located at Vinco Kudirkos Square and Odminių Square. They end on 1st January 2025.

The Famous Christmas Tree

The Vilnius Christmas tree is known for being one of Europe’s most unique and beautiful. It symbolises Vilnius and its long-standing traditions.

This tree is special because it has thousands of handmade ornaments created by Lithuanian artisans, who use various materials, including natural fibres, wood and glass.

They feature traditional Lithuanian motifs and symbols, such as folk patterns, angels and stars and thousands of energy-efficient LED lights.

Traditional Lithuanian Food

• Kūčiukai: Small, crunchy, slightly sweet bread bites that are traditionally eaten during Kūčios, the main Christmas Eve meal.
• Šaltibarščiai: This cold beet soup is usually served as an appetiser. Boiled potatoes and hard-boiled eggs often accompany it.
• Mushroom sauce: A vegetarian alternative to the traditional meat sauce served with kugelis, a Lithuanian potato pudding.
• Beets with horseradish: A simple and delicious side dish made with boiled beets and grated horseradish.
• Kavos pudingas: This coffee pudding is a popular Lithuanian dessert.
• Medaus tortas: A honey cake with a soft, creamy filling covered in a layer of caramelised sugar.
• Kepsneliai: Small, crispy potato pancakes.

At the Market Stalls

• Kibinai: These savoury pastries are originally from the Karaim community in Lithuania and are usually filled with meat or vegetables.
• Varškėčiai: Small, fluffy pancakes made with cottage cheese and served with sour cream or jam.
• Kugelis: A Lithuanian potato pudding.
• Cepelinai: Large, potato-based dumplings usually filled with meat or cottage cheese and served with sour cream or bacon bits. Very filling!
• Grilled meats: You can find various types of grilled sausages and meats, including traditional Lithuanian smoked sausages.
• Roasted nuts: Warm, crunchy, and sweet roasted nuts.

Visit one of these restaurants to experience some of the best food in Vilnius.

Things to Do in Winter

• Vilnius Christmas Tree – In the centre of Cathedral Square, in Vilnius’s historic World Heritage-listed Old Town.
• Cathedral Belfry – For a small fee, you can walk up the cathedral belfry for the best views of Vilnius from above.
• Gediminas Tower – This tower offers a different but equally wonderful view of Vilnius (€5 euro entrance fee). The view is particularly special at sunset.
• Town Hall Square – This smaller market is a little quieter, although it can get busy on the weekends.
• Vilnius Train Station – A little unexpected is a market at Vilnius Train Station. This is a more contemporary market with modern music, food trucks (actually, they are train carriages serving food) and Lithuanian art.

Sustainability Tips

• Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
• Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
• Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
• Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
• Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
• Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
• Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
• Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
• Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
• Support the arts and attend local events.
• Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.

If you have visited Vilnius in winter or want to leave a review of the Xmas market, please comment below. This helps others interested in visiting and trying to plan their holiday.

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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.