Food and drink stalls are open the latest. This post may contain affiliate links. “Hey, it’s Christmas” was pretty much my excuse the whole week haha. Even Santa came out to greet everyone. At the same time, the lights and festive decorations will create the typical Christmas atmosphere on the streets of the city of Vilnius. Vilnius, Lithuania, is to finally have a proper Christmas town 5-22 December in the Cathedral Square with 36 booths for your Christmas treats and gifts.It's going to be the first attempt at a proper Christmas town, so let's hope it will attract more tourists and bring more enjoyment to Vilnius citizens. They're super festive and unique. If you head on down Gediminas Avenue, you can find the Vilnius Ice Skating Rink on Lukiškės Square. An organization that supports many local initiatives in Lithuania. ... 2020-11-16 - 2020-11-20 (LT) UTOPIŠKI IR DISTOPIŠKI ŠIŲ METŲ „VERSMĖS“ SKAITYMAI VYKS INTERNETE ... 2020-12-12 - 2020-12-13. A Facebook group has been set up for local small businesses in Braintree and the surrounding area to share their products. The Vilnius Christmas Markets had stalls that sell handmade products or organic produce from Lithuanian companies. Stalls open from around 10 am until around 8/9 pm and it’s later on weekends. I could instantly see why people love to do it so much. 7. I particularly loved the location of Amberton hotel, simply because they have a great view of Cathedral Square. Your email address will not be published. It really gets you into the Christmas spirit! But, here are some of the hotels I have handpicked for you in all budget ranges. Info: Cultural program and information department Vilnius Culture Center Rinktinės st. 50, LT-09318 Vilnius Tel. There was just so much choice. From Nutella crepes, open fire roasted chestnuts, chocolate fountains with covered strawberries, candy canes, gingerbread cookies and more. John Coates I have a sweet tooth so it’s my weakness! Food and drink stalls are open the latest. 16. Vilnius, capital of Lithuania is located in the eastern part of the country, away from the sea and near the border with Belarus. Even small souvenirs wrapped in a festive package will make exceptional gifts. Plus, there’s always hot wine to keep you warm! Hot Wine is a popular favourite at Christmas and, don’t worry, Vilnius has endless vats of it! One is set up in Vilnius Cathedral Square and it’s free to enter. The Vilnius Christmas Markets are temporary and run from the end of November until the beginning of January each year. Sophie Pearce is the founder of Third Eye Traveller. Use the list below to find your way around the different markets, which provisionally start opening from mid-November in 2021. It’s a winner with kids and big kids alike! Christmas isn’t Cancelled! For the last few years, Vilnius have set up an incredible Christmas tree in Cathedral Square. From 28th November 2020 to 7th January 2021. But, the one that really impressed me in Vilnius in December was the decorations outside the Augustus Ir Bora Love Story Café. They concentrated their efforts on using all sustainable and recyclable materials to make their wacky Christmas decorations and it was insane! Our Market Vendors We are very proud to have invited so many amazing handmade / craft and unique independent businesses to take part in the Worlds Largest Virtual Christmas Market. One of those that do is a visit to a Christmas market (German: Weihnachtsmarkt) in Vienna. /vilnius/eurovaistines-christmas-run_25674e The oldest and biggest Christmas run in Lithuania known as the most fun race of the year for the original costumes of the participants. Less-visited than the other Baltic capitals, Vilnius is a charming city which boasts three Christmas markets (1 December - 7 January) selling festive Lithuanian delicacies including the ragoulis – ‘tree-cake’ – and delicious poppy-seed cakes, as well as traditional handcrafted toys and souvenirs. I stayed with Tinggly in their blogger house for the week who are an amazing gift card experience company. These always change throughout the evening! Last year, there was a competition where all the restaurants and cafés in Vilnius were competing to who had the best Christmas Decorations. Today, the historic center of Vilnius is characterized by a medieval structure and many fine buildings in Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical styles, and for this reason the city has been included in the UNESCO world heritage sites. Did you know that the main cities and attractions in Vilnius also have a little competition between each other to have the best Christmas tree? Either locally, or while on Vacation – this has become an annual tradition for many. Required fields are marked *. You could also buy cheese, conserves, chocolates, coffee, nuts and treats to give as foodie gifts which are always a favourite! Last year the tree was green and this year the tree is a gorgeous shade of blue and white lights. Other attractions for visitors include the Vilnius Christmas Train, which circles the center of Vilnius, and the 3D projection of a Christmas fairytale on the main wall of Vilnius Cathedral, which takes place from Christmas Day through December 29. Grand Christmas Fair in Vilnius. This part of the Old Town also had it’s very own Christmas tree too! Sign up for more updates straight to your mailbox! Looking for a local supplier. Although I was a guest, all photos and opinions are my own. www.xmas-markets.org © Copyright 2007-2016, All Rights Reserved. Third Eye Traveller is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk. Have a look at some of my detailed guides below; The ultimate guide for Three Crosses Hill. So, come with space in your stomach to treat yo’ self! Vilnius Christmas Markets Leave a comment 26,666 Views Vilnius, capital of Lithuania is located in the eastern part of the country, away from the sea and near the border with Belarus. I want to inspire you & turn your wildest travel dreams into a reality through my useful travel guides and tips! I spent a long time browsing the markets to choose some items to take home with me. The streets will be lit up against the night skies, Christmas trees will be decorated, snow will be falling, festive songs will be playing and there will be plenty of Christmas cheer in the air too. …And of course, Gluhwein to keep you warm in the cold. 5. There are two Christmas Markets in Vilnius. Vilnius Christmas market Date: 01 December 2019-07 January 2020 Location: Vilnius. The market, or rather, the Christmas fair in Vilnius fills, with its 48 wooden stalls, the Cathedral Square (Katedros aikštė) in the historic center of … 1) Vilnius Christmas Market (Kalėdos Sostinėje). You can treat yourself and indulge in some festive treats! In previous years they’ve had doors on the tree and it’s been purple too. Most of the vendors were able to take card payments (Visa and Mastercard), but I would have cash on you just in case. Many proper Christmas Markets aren’t able to go ahead in 2020, so some have moved online. 2020 Kalėdų Eglės Įžiebimas Vilniuje Christmas Tree Vilnius 2020 - 2019 Eglutės įžiebimas Vilniuje tiesioginė transliacija iš Katedros aikštės. 2. You will also be waiting for Santa Claus with his reindeer. Vilnius has prepared a great number of festal events and surprises for all the participants. It’s also really cheap, easy to walk around the whole city and there is lots of to do in Winter despite the cold weather. Given the cynical over-hyped world we live in, there are few experiences today that really live up to their image. A total bargain! I treated myself to a Gluhwein inside one of the igloos to warm up and there were faux fur blankets and a Christmas soundtrack playing. Kalėdos Sostinėje is a tradition in the city runs from the end of November to the first week of January each year. VILNIUS CHRISTMAS MARKETS Dates of the Christmas Market: Usually end of November – December. Each igloo was super warm too so if you wanted to defrost, you could sit down for a while and admire the Christmas lights through the window. 2020.12.11 18:00. A long term UK expat in India turned travel blogger. : (8 5) 261 95 57 E.mail: vaida@vilniuskc.lt, About: Images and videos of the beauties of the Earth. All the stalls were incredibly popular in Vilnius but the main one that had a huge queue each evening was the Dutch pancake stall. Now, Vilnius in December does sound like a pretty cold and bleak time of year to visit, I get it. A large Christmas tree – 25 meters high and decorated with lights flashing LED – will be set up in Cathedral Square and in Town Hall Square there will be an ice skating rink. tel. Aside from the Christmas decorations, the Love Story café is highly Instagrammable and serves up an amazing menu. One of my favourites was the Igloos outside of Vilnius Town Hall. Those who will be on a gift hunt will be able to find special candles, amber or ceramics jewelry, woolen socks and other chrismassy products. Cigarettes in Vilnius Oct 23, 2020; Nightlife Oct 15, 2020; Quarantine Place in Kaunas or Vilnius for 14 days Oct 13, 2020; Avoid PANEK in Vilnius Airport Sep 23, 2020; Quarantine Aug 30, 2020; Any Ideas Aug 21, 2020; Tbilisi or Vilnius? On 27 November, the Tallinn Christmas Market, which was titled the most beautiful in Europe last year, will open its gates – this time smaller and more compact and for a shorter time, but the cultural program can be enjoyed all over the Old Town. The Cathedral Square has a unique Vilnius Christmas Tree! Even if it's on their own! So, even when you travel out of Vilnius in December, you’ll find that everywhere is getting into the festive spirit as well. At the mid-seventeenth century, however, Vilnius was sacked and destroyed by the Russians. As part of the holiday celebration, each year a holiday-themed video is projected onto the side of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Ladislaus of Vilnius, the center of Catholic spiritual life in Lithuania. The title 'Best Christmas Market In Europe' 2020, voted by millions of travelers from around the world, has been awarded this year to Budapest's Advent Feast at the Basilica. Português (Portuguese (Portugal)). But, I spent a week in Vilnius in December and took many day trips to locations like Kaunas, Trakai and The Hill of Crosses too. So, it’s the perfect drink to warm you up. The Christmas market will be open until the third day of Christmas on 27 December 2020. What & Where to Eat in Vilnius – 12 Traditional Lithuanian Foods You Must Try! Having been in India and Egypt the last few festive seasons, It was such a change travelling to Europe where they celebrate Christmas in a big way. Bird boxes and wooden handicrafts, handprinted pottery and warm woollen items that were perfect for the winter season too. without this equipment I will not be able to go. Christmas Markets 2020 in Europe The most popular Christmas Markets in Europe With the aim of inhibiting the spread of the coronavirus, many major events such as Christmas markets cannot take place or can only take place to a limited extent. This winter holiday season will be memorable to the residents and quests of the lithuanian capital. At first, I thought it was a restaurant, kind of like the Coppa Club in London. Finally during the Christmas season in the historic center of Vilnius will be able to attend the new magical Christmas Tale in 3D (3D Kalėdų Pasaka) and take a train ride with the Christmas Train (Kalėdų traukinukas) and experience the true spirit of Christmas. They're super festive and unique. Hey there, I'm Sophie. Please see my disclosure policy for details. The Vilnius Christmas Markets have beautiful gifts you can buy, 4. So, if you’re still on the fence about booking that flight, here are 10 reasons why you need to visit Vilnius in December and the Vilnius Christmas Markets in 2020! Don’t forget travel insurance before your trip, I always choose. I am wheelchair bound and need to hire electric mobile hoist and showerchair/komode. The Vilnius Christmas market is open from November 30 through January 7, 2020. 61 percent of tourists chose Vilnius as their travel destination to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, and over 90 percent of them rated city markets and decorations as excellent or very good. I loved people watching and seeing the kids smile at the decorations and the adults take a million selfies! Even the Castle was decorated in beautiful decorations. Vilnius cultural calendar is full of events. It does get busy so prepare to queue at peak times. Christmas is also an important opportunity for the city to attract foreign visitors, according to a press release by the Vilnius administration. For just 2 Euros, you can pop on the train and take quick twenty minute tour of the Old Town. Here the evenings will be cozy sweet and warm. You got 9 fluffy mini Dutch pancakes that were filled with toppings. But December really is where the magic happens! The prices of treats in the markets are average at around 4/5 Euros’ a dessert. Traditional red mulled wine, white mulled wine and even a Gluhwein cocktail with a little Aperol mixed in with it! Entry is only 3 Euro’s a session which includes skate rentals and only 2 Euros’ if you have your own skates. With thanks to Tinggly for hosting my stay. So make sure you pop inside. Outside the rink, there is also a small café if you want to warm up or if you’d rather wait for your kids outside. From their unique show stopper of a Christmas tree, to the quaint markets selling gifts, mouth watering food and boutiques in igloos; there is something in Vilnius for everyone at this time of the year. Come and experience the real joy of Christmas! Those with an appetite will be able to try various culinary, honey, cheese or chocolate treats. LRT.lt photographers bring a virtual tour around festive Vilnius. You’ll be pleased to know that there isn’t just one Christmas market in the city. Sadly, this year most Markets & Fairs have been postponed. It’s not the obvious spot that people think of when booking a festive break which is what I think makes it all the more special. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (No Spam, Promise!). …And there’s an Ice Rink if you’d prefer to skate, 9. Nottingham 's Christmas Market has been forced to close for the rest of the year amid backlash over the lack of social distancing.. Organisers said they were "sorry it … Help would be appreciated. This has to be my favourite part of any Christmas market, the delectably diverse range of sweet treats that are on offer. If you’re looking to book a trip to visit the Vilnius Christmas Markets this year, then you’re in for a real treat. The Vilnius Christmas Ice Skating Rink runs Monday – Friday from 12pm – 9pm and Weekends from 10am – 10pm. 6. Christmas markets 2020 near me: Events around UK that haven’t been cancelled under Covid restrictions While many of the UK’s seasonal markets have been forced to close, there are a … While you’re on the toy train, it plays some Christmas songs and it’s all lit up so it’s super festive. Christmas in Vilnius – a long chain of events devoted to the whole family. Join 80,000 readers! I had Nutella with condensed milk, whipped cream and blueberries and it was seriously indulgent. Of course, it’s also the perfect picture moment. | Contacts. Read more about my day trips from Vilnius in December: Looking for more inspiration for Lithuania in December? If you go at night time you can see the Christmas lights and decorations lit up against the night sky. They use the Euro in Lithuania, Struggling with WiFi? However, some of the cities around the country will be opening up their festive markets to the public, albeit in a slightly different way than normal. It actually runs way beyond Christmas from the beginning of December to the beginning of March, so there’s plenty of time to take part. Inside the tree, they had a stall where you could write down what you wish for at Christmas and it was adorable. There are plenty of stalls and areas to visit around the Old Town too! Make sure you pick up a Keepgo. Answer 1 of 2: Vilnius, Lithuania, is to finally have a proper Christmas town 5-22 December in the Cathedral Square with 36 booths for your Christmas treats and gifts. Not only did they decorate the whole front of the store in pink with glittering fairy lights, but there were also PINK UNICORNS and beautiful baubles too! At the end of the eighteenth century it was finally annexed to the Russian Empire. Trakai Castle also had a beautiful tree set up by the Lake Galvé observation deck and Santa had a little hut where he was greeting Children throughout the day. In 1579 there was founded the university, the city became more and more beautiful and attractive becoming an attractive cultural and commercial center for a wide area. Vilnius was the political center of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century. Always having a restless soul seeking adventure, she has now travelled to over 30+ countries, many of them solo. Ice skating simply isn’t my thing. Copyright Third Eye Traveller 2017 - 2020 © All Rights Reserved. The town originated in the fourteenth century and was surrounded by walls with towers and gates at the beginning of the sixteenth century. While big holiday festivals have been cancelled due to pandemic restrictions, the streets and squares of Vilnius are still lit with Christmas lights and shop windows are competing for attention. Sign Up to Get the Latest Adventures Straight to Your Mailbox! Get updates straight to your mailbox. The Old City and shopping streets are decorated with festive lights that create a Christmas atmosphere in Vienna. Join 80,000 readers. It was just so adorable. Sadly, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the UK’s favourite Christmas markets have been cancelled for 2020, with difficulty in being able to maintain social distancing being a key reason. Your day trips out of Vilnius in December will be festive too. Vilnius, Lithuania, is to finally have a proper Christmas town 5-22 December in the Cathedral Square with 36 booths for your Christmas treats and gifts.It's going to be the first attempt at a proper Christmas town, so let's hope it will attract more tourists and bring more enjoyment to Vilnius citizens. Dec 27, 2019 – Jan 5, 2020 Daily 10:00-18:00. Leaving her heart in India, which gifted her a "Third Eye", she felt inspired to share her travel stories in the hope of encouraging others to explore this big beautiful world of ours. It attracts between 1.5 and 2 million visitors a year and has over 250 stalls. It always gets the press and media talking about it as it’s so unique and changes each year. So, you won’t be too far away from the winter holiday celebrations in Lithuania. If you’re looking for a more Lithuanian festive desert to try, I would recommend their Christmas Tree Cake called Šakotis that resembles the branches of a tree. When you enter the Vilnius Christmas Market circle, you’ll find light installations dotted around the tree too. The Vilnius Christmas Markets are temporary and run from the end of November until the beginning of January each year. There were coffee stands, bars, gift shops, book stalls and plenty more things to visit. Virtual Christmas Market Online Christmas Market For Braintree. Mulled wine is typically sold at around 3-5 Euros a glass and is piping hot! It’s quite hilarious how many people stop to take a video or photo of the train as you’re passing through, you feel like you’re some sort of celeb (okay, I know it’s really the train haha)! I did see some amazing displays at the Palace of the Grand Dukes and, the sugar cane store front at Sugarmour and also some of the hotels too. I would recommend staying in a hotel near the Old Town to access the markets. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 1) Vilnius Christmas Market (Kalėdos Sostinėje). The market, or rather, the Christmas fair in Vilnius fills, with its 48 wooden stalls, the Cathedral Square (Katedros aikÅ¡tė) in the historic center of the capital of Lithuania. Soak up the festive ambience of the historic Lithuanian capital. In 2020, Vienna's prettiest squares will still be transformed into magical Christmas markets from the middle of November until Christmas. THE VILNIUS TOWN HALL CHRISTMAS TREE Town Hall Square 5 December 2020 – 7 January 2021; FESTIVE EVENTS IN VILNIUS COMMUNITIES Communities of Vilnius 1–29 December 2020; THE CHRISTMAS MARKET – DESIGN SQUARE – CANCELLED +370 613 92445 Faks. Aside from the Vilnius Christmas Markets, there are other places that are festive too. Read more – The Instagrammable Love Story Cafe of Vilnius. Measuring some 27 metres in height, the Vilius Christmas tree has 6,000 branches, collected while foresters were carrying out essential maintenance work in the Lithuanian forests, making this a truly sustainable as well as beautiful Christmas … They believe in giving stories not stuff and you can check out their range of gift boxes here. Throughout the festive season, Vilnius Cathedral Square will host a truly magical Christmas Market – buy a unique gift, treat yourself to a delicious festive treat or warming drink, or even meet a character from your favourite fairy tale. Unfortunately, their blogger house is not available for rent. Event calendar with concerts, theatre, shows, opera, sports, etc. Feb 11, 2020 - The Vilnius Christmas Markets are the highlight of visiting Lithuania in December. Year 6 held a charity event to raise money for the International Christmas Charity Bazaar. Christmas might be looking like its cancelled (given how rubbish 2020 has been so far), but not all hope is lost – with a number of popular events still confirmed to be going ahead this Christmas. THE INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS CHARITY BAZAAR – CANCELLED Vilnius Town Hall (Didžioji Street 31) 5 December 2020, 12 a.m. Also be waiting for Santa Claus with his reindeer visiting a Traditional Lithuanian drink to warm you up to. A look at some of my detailed guides below ; the ultimate guide Three. Winner with kids and big kids alike the night sky Views, this is. There were coffee vilnius christmas market 2020, bars, gift shops, book stalls and areas visit. Chestnuts, chocolate fountains with covered strawberries, candy canes, gingerbread cookies and.! Restaurants and cafés in Vilnius Cathedral Square in Vilnius Cathedral Square has a Vilnius. Browser for the city runs from the comfort of your bedroom mixed with. 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