This year, we will celebrate Easter on April 5, 2026! 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. The post will be updated.
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 J. Stacevičiaus / LRT
Lithuanian Easter: Free educational experiences
Visiting Vilnius before Easter? Then you are invited to delve into the vibrant traditions of Lithuanian Easter through free educations at the Vilnius Tourist Information Centre. These lessons offer a unique opportunity to learn about traditional games, egg-decorating techniques, festive foods, and more. Highlights include discovering the art of creating margučiai (beautifully decorated Easter eggs symbolizing life and renewal), engaging in classic Lithuanian Easter games like egg rolling, exploring traditional Lithuanian Easter dishes ranging from savory meats to sweet pastries, and learning about the unique tradition of crafting verbos (vibrant arrangements made from dried flowers and herbs). Advance registration is required.
Where? Vilnius Tourist Information Centre, Pilies str. 7
When? April 28th, 29th.
How much? Free to attend
Advance registration is required
Easter Mass
Lithuanians are not the most active Catholics, 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 ( Easter Sunday 9AM).
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.
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 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 Trakai Castle Museum will be open on Easter Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM (last tickets are sold one hour before closing).
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.
How about some music?
On April 6, 2026, the Vilnius carillon in the bell tower of the Dominican Church (Church of St. Philip and St. James) will start playing melodies every hour, all inspired by the theme of love. From 9 AM to 9 PM, the city clock will be followed by short musical pieces, creating a gentle daily rhythm of sound in Vilnius that you can hear again and again. The project "With Love Every Hour" was created by artist and director of the Vilnius Carillon Festival, Jurgis Pauliukas, together with Japanese carillonneur Toru Takao. Each hour has its own title and atmosphere – from gratitude in the morning to quietness in the evening, from personal reflection to urban and sacred motifs. The best place to listen to the bells - the little garden right next to the towers.
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
It’s better to stock up on groceries on Saturday or even Friday, as most grocery stores will be closed on Sunday. But in case you run out of milk or eggs, you won’t go hungry – here’s a list of smaller grocery stores open on Easter Sunday:
Easter Sunday (April 5th):
„Rimi Didžioji“, Didžioji st. 28;
„Rimi Gedimino“, Gedimino av. 10;
Easter Monday (April 6th):
Grocery stores will be open regular hours.
Museums
Easter Sunday (April 5th): TV tower , Open Gallery, Trakai castle
Easter Monday (April 6th): Mo museum, Gediminas Castle Tower, Auto museum, Vilnius TV tower.
Restaurants
In recent years more and more restaurants are open on Easter Sunday afternoon. So at least you will have oportunity to have lunch and dinner. But we’ll keep you updated on other restaurants as soon as they announce their schedules online.
But here are the ones we already know to be open!
ETNO DVARAS A.Vartų str. 2 will be open Easter Sunday and Monday from 12AM (noon) to 10PM
ETNO DVARAS Vilniaus st. 18 will be open Easter Sunday and Monday from 13AM (noon) to 10PM
Vilnius with locals Easter Weekend Tours Schedule
Photo by Vilnius with locals
We’re taking a day off on Easter Sunday for family time, but join our tours on Friday, Saturday and Monday! Saturday we have 4 diferent walking tours, so you can spend the entire day with us!
Here you have it! Suggestions and local tips for celebrating Easter in Vilnius 2026. We can't wait to see you soon!