Sad thing about Lithuanian national days is that most of them are celebrated in cold and rainy months. Not so many chances of family picnics and outdoor parties lasting the entire night… That is why Lithuanians are so excited about 6th of July.
What do we celebrate?
The first and only King of Lithuania was crowned on this day! It is generally accepted that the state of Lithuania found its way into the world maps, following the coronation of Mindaugas, ruler of the consolidated Lithuania, on 6 of July 1253. The Pope granted the State with the highest title of the monarchy, which meant that Lithuania was recognized and accepted into the family of the Western Europe as an equal member of the political system.
However, the exact day of the event is disputable… Since the surviving chronicles and medieval accounts of the time are scarce, there are only hypothesis about the day and the place of coronation. And 6th of July was chosen according to the theory of the best known historians in modern Lithuania – Edvardas Gudavičius.
We also know little about King Mindaugas himself... The first Grand Duke of Lithuania to become known in written records, Mindaugas began to build his power across the Slavic and Baltic regions during the 1230s and 1240s. He then sought baptism by the Roman Catholic church and gave up certain lands in present-day Lithuania for the sole purpose of receiving blessings as a king from Pope Innocent IV. Crowned the summer of 1253 alongside his wife Morta, King Mindaugas ruled somewhere between 300,000 and 400,000 people.
And now you might be wondering, why he was the only King? Well, after coronation, the peace in the area held for about eight years. Local nobility was not ready to accept Christianity or the King, so conflicts escalated. Before Mindaugas managed to secure a crown for his son and heir he was assassinated in fall 1263. After King’s death, Lithuania lapsed into internal disorder and stability did not return till 1270. Since then, only Grand Dukes ruled this country.
How do we celebrate?
At noon join the flag raising ceremony of the State flags. After it the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda will address the public.
When? July 6th 12PM (Noon)
Where? Simonas Daukantas Square, Vilnius
You can learn about the history of Lithuania by visiting our local museums. Many will be open all day and offer special ticket discounts.
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Different Lithuanian National Museum departments will be open and offer a discount on tickets! For exhample Gediminas Castle Tower tickets will be 4 euros.
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The Centre for Civil Education will be open all day. The Centre’s permanent exhibition helps visitors understand how a democratic country and its institutions work. It also shows how people can take part in building and running the country, and how they can help solve problems in their community or in the whole society.
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The Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania will be open and offer a discount on tickets! 4 EUR for adults, free for people with disabilities and children up to 7 years old.
Attend the Song Day concert "Laiku. Ratu. Kartu" which will take place in Vingis Park.
It is one of the main events of the Lithuanian School Song Celebration, a festival that brings together around 24,000 young participants from across the country. During the festival, hundreds of school choirs, orchestras, and dance groups perform in different events across Vilnius. Song Day is the festival's grand finale, celebrating Lithuanian music, traditions, and the talent of young performers. Standing areas are free with a free ticket, while seated areas require a paid ticket.
When? July 6th 6.30 PM
Where? Vingis Park Stage
However, whatever you decide to do on this day, stop everything you are doing at 9 PM! You might notice that Lithuanians all over the World will sing National Anthem Tautiška Giesmė. It will travel the world from mouth to mouth along with the light from Australia to Hawaii, being sung in Lithuanian communities and individually at 9 PM local time. Ever since 2009 a simple act of singing National Anthem at the same time on the 6 of July turned into unique nations’ tradition. We have become the first nation to ever do so.
And last but not least, our guides will celebrate this day the best way we know how — by showing you around our beautiful city! Since it's going to be Monday, you can join Vilnius free tour at 11AM and 6PM or Soviet Vilnius tour! Hope to see you then.
Not in Vilnius on 6th of July?
No worries – you can still learn about the early days of Lithuania and how the Kingdom was formed in the 13th century. Join our Cathedral Crypts and Medieval History Tour to hear stories about famous rulers and explore the hidden crypts beneath the Cathedral. It’s a great way to discover a different and surprising side of Vilnius!
When? Mondays and Fridays 2:30PM
Where? Gediminas (a man standing next to a horse) Monument at the Cathedral square
How much? 30 €/person online ; 32 €/person at the meeting point
