This year, we will celebrate Easter on March 31, 2024! For Lithuanians it is the time of awakening nature, arrival of spring and of course festivities, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ. In this post we will discus what you should know about Easter in Vilnius and what activities you can join in.
Scroll down to discover all the useful information about Easter weekend in Vilnius, including open shops, museums, and other activities.
Check out traditional Easter Crafts
The first thing you will notice all around Vilnius Old Town are spectacularly hand-painted Easter Eggs. The Lithuanian name for dyed Easter eggs is MARGUTIS – derived from the adjective meaning ‘colorful’. The traditional technique uses wax and produces some very impressive patterns. Actually the traditional patterns are way older than Christianity in this country. Symbols used on the eggs date back to Pagan times and were meant to celebrate the earth’s rebirth or ensure fertility and growth.You can find Easter egg souvenirs ( colored eggs shells, or wooden eggs) in many traditional crafts shops or street stands all over Vilnius Old Town.
However if collecting souvenirs is not your thing, look for biggest Margutis in town ( Pylimo str. 43, Vilnius)! It is an iconic must–see sculpture of Vilnius, especially while celebrating Easter. It weights only 300 kg and signifies the restoration and revival of this part of the Old Town.
Photo by Go Vilnius
Easter Mass
Lithuanians are not the most active Christians, but we try to participate in a holy mass at least once a year. And Easter is usually the time when you will see us in a church. Why? Well, probably because the Easter Mass is one of the most beautiful ceremonies of the year with impressive processions and a friendly atmosphere. Crowds of people gather (even outside the churches) and bring baskets of dyed eggs, bread or a juniper twig for blessing. If you decide to join in, know that the largest Easter Mass takes place at the Vilnius Cathedral, but for the most beautiful views visit the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Or receive Mary’s blessing at the Chapel of the Gates of Dawn, but make sure to come early so you can find a free seat.
Photo by Go Vilnius
Main churches for Easter Mass:
Vilnius Cathedral offers mass in Lithuanian, but the celebration is too impressive to miss.
At the Bernardine Church, you can attend mass available in English.
For those preferring Polish, the Church of St. Theresa next to the Chapel of the Gates of Dawn and the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy offer mass in Polish.
When can we start eating?
On the first day of Easter local families get together for a real feast. Of course, eggs will be the first thing everyone will have to taste. We recommend to try it with freshly grated horse-radish, which you will be able to find in any shop this time of the year. Meat is a must on the menu too. And there are delicious sausages and smoked meats that you can get at Hales Market on Good Friday and Saturday, just like the locals do. Please note that the market is closed on Easter Sunday. Another staple we love – Velykų Boba – an Easter cake made from yeast dough.
Photo by: https://www.facebook.com/uzupis/photos/a.182219232715/10156370945267716/?type=3&theater
On the second day of Easter join the White Tablecloth celebration at the Republic of Užupis. It’s a traditional community dinner in which everyone can participate: just bring your own food, drinks, friends/family and enjoy the Lithuanian sun around tables white tablecloths. Usually, the event is held next to Užupis Parliament (Užupio str. 2).
Traditional Easter Games
Once the family’s bellies are full of holiday delights, people traditionally take to playing some Easter games. Easter egg rolling is something everyone loves. Players prop a rounded chute made of wood or cardboard at an angle from the ground. In turn, they roll eggs down the chute attempting to tap another’s egg. If they succeed in this, they claim both eggs. The player with the most eggs at the end of the game wins.
However, the most exciting game which can continue for a whole day is egg cracking. Two people batle who has the strongest egg. One person is a holder, the other is a tapper, and they tap one egg to another. The one whose eggshell remains intact, wins. Both ends of an egg are to be tapped. This game is fun and that is why many people in Lithuania wishes “strong eggs” to each other for Easter.
Easter Concert
Experience the joy of spring surrounded by music with the choir Jauna muzika on the second day of Easter. Discover the Lithuanian premieres of compositions by the American composer Caroline Adelaide Shaw at St. Catherine’s Church.
How about a little exercise?
You might notice we have a church almost every 100 meters in Vilnius? No wonder our capital is also known as pilgrimage destination and sometimes is called A City of Mercy. And what a better way to experience the true meaning of Easter, than to do a little pilgrimage of your own and walk Calvary way of the Cross.
It is one of the largest complexes of Ways of the Cross in Europe, covering seven kilometers. Just like hundreds of years ago, believers go on walking routes to replicate the road of Christ’s suffering. During the Pentecost, the hills here are filled with the songs of tearful pilgrims.
You can also take the opportunity to visit Trakai! The castle museum will be open on both Great Saturday and Easter Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.
If the weather is excellent, we recommend taking the full - day self-guided bike tour to Trakai organized by our friends at Bike Baltic! It offers the best of both worlds: the flexibility of solo traveling without the headache of planning and researching the route or buying tickets.
Other useful information about Easter weekend in Vilnius
Wondering which shops are open on Easter Sunday? Here's all you need to know about the shops, restaurants, and museums open in Vilnius Old Town this weekend.
Groceries
Easter Sunday (March 31th): Only "Rimi express Gedimino" at Gedimino Avenue 10 & „Rimi Didžioji“, Didžioji str. 28 & „Rimi hypermarket Užupis“ at Zarasų str. 5A will be open.
All IKI EXPRESS 24/7 will be open too.
Easter Monday (April 1st): Maxima, Rimi, IKI, and Lidl will operate as usual.
Museums
Easter Sunday (March 31th): Vilnil Museum of illusions; Trakai Island Castle
Easter Monday (April 1st): Vilnil Museum of illusions; Gediminas Castle Tower ; Mo museum
Restaurants/Cafes Easter Sunday (March 31th)
7 Fridays Pilies will be open from 1 PM to 2 AM
ETNO Dvaras Aušros Vartų str. 2 will work from Noon to 10 PM
Būsi Trečias Totorių str. 18 will work from 2 PM
Crustum Bakery/Cafe on Pilies str. & Vokiečių str. & Rinktinės str. will work from 10 AM to 8 PM
Vilnius with locals Easter Weekend Tours Schedule
Photo by Vilnius with locals
Here you have it! Suggestions and local tips for celebrating Easter in Vilnius 2024. We can't wait to see you soon!