• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Christmas Markets

A Guide to Christmas in Europe

  • Plan Your Trip
  • Top 10
  • Destinations
    • Central Europe
      • Austria
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Poland
      • Slovakia
      • Slovenia
      • Switzerland
    • Northern Europe
      • Denmark
      • Estonia
      • Latvia
      • Lithuania
      • Sweden
    • Southeastern Europe
      • Romania
    • Western Europe
      • Belgium
      • France
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Portugal
      • United Kingdom
  • Guides
  • Hotels
  • Tours

Vilnius Christmas Market – A Special Christmas Tree

If you’re looking for a quiet but beautiful winter holiday destination, Lithuania in December is chilly but busy with events. There are many things to do but the city isn’t overcrowded and there is just enough Christmas spirit to make things interesting. The Vilnius Christmas market is the highlight of winter in Lithuania with Cathedral Square being home to one of the most stunning Christmas trees in the world.

Vilnius Christmas Market

While Vilnius is a relaxing city break getaway, if you’re planning a longer trip, consider adding the other Baltic States to your itinerary. Riga, Latvia and Tallinn, Estonia are close by yet very different cities both aesthetically and culturally. Combining all three locations will give you one of the most incredible Christmas travel experiences in Europe.

Vilnius Christmas Market 2021

Vilnius Christmas Market dates: 27th November 2021 to 7th January 2022 (confirmed).
Location: Cathedral Square and Vilnius Old Town.
Reason to visit: The incredible Christmas tree and decorations in Cathedral Square.
Specialties: Vilnius Christmas train takes you around the city to see the decorations and markets.
Travel tip: Walk up the Cathedral Belfry for great photos of Vilnius Christmas market.
Recommended tour: Vilnius Holiday Traditions
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.
Plan your trip: Resources to plan your Christmas holiday or winter break.
Where to stay: Artagonist Art Hotel or search our recommended Christmas hotels.

Hotels near Vilnius Christmas Market

If you would like to stay in a convenient, central location, read our guide to hotels near Vilnius Christmas Market. We list a range of accommodation types that cater to all budgets. Take the guesswork out of where to stay and avoid disappointment.

Vilnius Christmas Market Traditions

To get an overview of Vilnius’s holiday traditions, I suggest starting with a city tour that focuses on Lithuanian Christmas traditions, customs and specialties.

With this tour, a local guide will take you around the Christmas markets in Vilnius with a 3-hour eye-opening tour. You’ll learn about the city, the Lithuanian people and you’ll get to try some delicious Christmas food and treats.

Vilnius is known for the unusual Vilnius Christmas tree and this is something you can learn about on a tour or ask a local resident while you are there. But you don’t need a guide to see the tree, it can be found in the main square and it’s a spectacular sight. It is one of the most beautifully decorated Christmas trees in Europe.

At the Christmas fair, of course, you will want to try Lithuanian Christmas food or purchase locally made Lithuanian Christmas ornaments which you can take with you to decorate your Christmas tree at home.

Lithuanian Christmas Food

It’s not only Christmas food but unique Lithuanian food available at the Christmas market and in surrounding cafes and restaurants.

Vilnius restaurants have seen a resurgence in traditional Lithuanian food which incorporates local ingredients and old traditions with a new, modern viewpoint. Visit one of these restaurants for some of the best food in Vilnius.

Things to Do in Vilnius in Winter

Vilnius Lithuania
  • Vilnius Christmas Tree – In the centre of Cathedral Square, in Vilnius’s historic World Heritage listed old town, is one of the most stunning Christmas trees, decorated in white ornaments with Lithuanian style.
  • Cathedral Belfry – For a small fee you can walk up the cathedral belfry for the best views of Vilnius from above.
  • Gediminas Tower – A different but equally wonderful view of Vilnius is available at Gediminas Tower (€5 euro entrance fee). The view is particularly special at sunset.
  • Town Hall Square – Another Christmas tree and unique decorations are on show in front of Vilnius Town Hall. This smaller Christmas market is a little quieter although it can get busy on the weekends.
  • Vilnius Train Station – A little unexpected is a Christmas 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.

The 2021 dates have been confirmed for the Christmas fair. However, travel and health restrictions may be in place and can change at any time. Please be sure to confirm the entry requirements before you go. For more information on things to do in Vilnius in December, visit Vilnius Tourism.

Map of Vilnius

If you have visited Vilnius in December or Christmas in Lithuania and would like to share your experience, leave a comment below.

This post contains affiliate links. This means we get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.

  • Tweet

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 Filed Under: Lithuania

Plan Your Winter Holiday

Christmas Holiday Hotels
Plan Your Winter Holiday
Christmas Market Tours
Previous Post: « Ljubljana Christmas Market – Sustainable Slovenia
Next Post: Lille Christmas Market – Delicious French Food »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jon

    November 23, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    I am visiting Vilnius at the moment and while it’s nice there is not alot that happens so your Christmas promotion writing here just makes me feel you are only trying to make what is a rather boring city into something more by adding “Christmas” to it all. It’s not really anymore enticing.

    Reply
    • Andrea

      November 23, 2021 at 11:33 pm

      I’ve spent a lot of time in Vilnius. There is plenty to see and do. It’s far from boring. Maybe take a guided tour to learn about the people, their history and culture.

      Reply
  2. Eric Fergusson

    December 9, 2021 at 6:32 pm

    I have been to Vilnius many times it is a buetiful city and welcoming get out into the city and enjoy

    Reply
  3. Richard Billings

    December 10, 2021 at 9:14 am

    I’m still coming over to marry a Lithuanian lady and live and work there, which I am looking forward to immensely.. But this is enough to put anybody off coming to Vilnius for Christmas! Nothing Christmassy going on. No great orchestral Christmas events, nothing! Please let me come over and organise a proper Christmas for you! I love your country, but ……..

    Reply
    • Andrea

      December 12, 2021 at 12:33 am

      I’m not visiting this year but they might have reduced the number of Christmas events due to Covid. Hopefully it’ll be better next year.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Best Christmas Markets in Europe
Christmas Markets in the United Kingdom

Copyright © 2022 Roaming Media Pty Ltd About / Contact / Privacy

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Click Accept to agree to our Privacy Policy. ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT