Christmas in Lithuania: Vilnius, Kaunas and December
Visit Lithuania at Christmas with confirmed Vilnius market dates, plans for Kaunas, holiday opening-day advice and official winter weather averages.
Last updated October 2026
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Christmas in Lithuania suits a trip built around Vilnius's tree and market, warm meals and short Old Town walks. Go Vilnius confirms the 2026 tree lighting on 28 November and the Cathedral Square market from 28 November to 27 December. Add Kaunas if you want a second city, and check holiday opening days before assigning museums to Christmas itself.
Vilnius is the easiest festive base. Use daylight for walks, return to the tree after dark, and book meals over the public holidays. Kaunas or a spa stay adds a different pace to a longer visit.
Vilnius's tree and December programme
Cathedral Square is the place to begin. Go Vilnius's official announcement places the tree lighting and main market there. It also lists a Christmas train from 28 November to 6 January. The train's longer season does not extend the market's closing date.
Walk the Old Town during the day, then return for the tree when the lights show best. Choose a warm indoor stop between the two. Leave exposed viewpoints for a day when the paths and weather suit them instead of making them compulsory.
For stalls, gifts and the difference between the tree season and market dates, read Christmas markets in Lithuania. Use the official programme for tickets or the hours of any particular outing.
What is open at Christmas in Lithuania?
The official city event site, Vilnius Events, lists 24, 25 and 26 December as public holidays. It advises that shops, museums and other institutions may close or reduce their hours. Check your chosen places one by one.
Reserve your main holiday meal and confirm whether it is a special menu. Ask your hotel about breakfast and any facilities you plan to use. If you rent an apartment, buy food before the holiday instead of relying on a normal branch timetable.
Keep a walk and the public tree display as flexible parts of the day. A museum visit needs its own current opening notice. Do not assume a market being in season means every nearby attraction is open.
December weather: Vilnius and Kaunas
The Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service's station normals give a December mean of -2.0°C for Vilnius and -1.2°C for Kaunas. These figures use 1991 to 2020 and include nights. They describe the season, not the temperature for a specific afternoon.
Cold spells, wet paving and thawing snow all affect a walking trip. Wear boots with grip and room for warm socks. Put a windproof outer layer over your warm layers, and carry gloves you can use while taking a photo or checking a map.
The Lithuania winter guide covers the wider season. The winter essentials guide helps with packing for a long evening at the tree and stalls.
Add Kaunas or Druskininkai
Kaunas gives you a second Old Town and a different festive square. An official Kaunas tourism brochure sets out the December tree and market on Town Hall Square. Use that as the customary location, then check the new city programme for your year's dates.
Do not plan to see both cities' markets in one hurried evening. Pick one base for the night, check the onward journey, and give the second city enough daylight for a walk too. If you prefer a slower break, add a spa stay instead.
Lithuania Travel's Druskininkai guide sets out the resort's spas, AQUA Park and Snow Arena. Confirm the facilities included in your booking and their holiday hours. An indoor pool or snow session can make the trip less dependent on outdoor snowfall.
Kūčios, food and a Christmas greeting
Christmas Eve has its own family meal, Kūčios. It is different from buying a plate at a festive stall. Read Lithuanian Christmas traditions for the food and customs, including the supper's meat-free tradition.
If you are visiting friends, ask about their household's plan and what you can bring. For a card or a greeting, use Merry Christmas in Lithuanian. Keeping the spelling marks makes the written greeting clearer.
For the next part of the route, see Christmas Markets in Latvia: Riga and Regional Fairs, Best Time to Visit Latvia.
Verdict: Christmas in Lithuania
For Christmas in Lithuania, choose Vilnius for a compact festive trip and add Kaunas or Druskininkai when you have time for a second base. Confirm meals and museum opening days around the holidays. Compare Christmas in Latvia, Tallinn's Christmas market and the Baltic seasonal guide before fixing a multi-country route.
Questions people also ask
Should I book a Christmas meal in advance?
Reserve your main holiday meal and confirm whether a set menu applies. Check your accommodation’s breakfast and facility arrangements too.
Can I combine Vilnius and Kaunas?
Choose an overnight base and check the journey for your actual travel date. Give each city time in daylight as well as an evening visit to its festive square.