Vilnius Pink Soup Fest 2027 – Food & Cultural Festival Lithuania

What to expect in 2027

Vilnius Pink Soup Fest 2027 will return as a city-wide celebration of Lithuania’s iconic cold beetroot soup, šaltibarščiai. The fifth-anniversary edition has already been confirmed for May 28–30, 2027, with the main festival day on May 29. Go Vilnius has announced that the festival will once again transform Vilnius into a pink-themed destination, combining Lithuanian food culture with music, entertainment, creative activities, costumes, competitions and city-wide culinary experiences.

The festival is free to attend, while food, drinks, merchandise and selected attractions are paid separately. The main festival area is expected around White Bridge, with activities extending into other parts of Vilnius. The 2026 edition demonstrated the scale of the event, recording more than 176,000 visits over three days and involving 355 locations offering food, activities and events connected with šaltibarščiai.

The 2027 programme will build on the festival’s established combination of gastronomy and urban entertainment. Visitors can expect opportunities to taste traditional cold beet soup, discover creative interpretations of the dish, watch or join colourful parades, take part in competitions and enjoy concerts and other cultural events.

The festival is also an opportunity to experience Vilnius beyond its historic centre. Restaurants, cafés, markets, museums, public spaces and other local businesses can participate in the pink-themed celebration, creating a much broader culinary programme than a single festival ground.

Event dates

Vilnius Pink Soup Fest 2027 will take place from May 28 to May 30, 2027, across Vilnius. The official 2027 announcement identifies Saturday, May 29, as the main festival day.

The three-day format follows the expanded structure introduced in 2026. The previous edition opened with city-wide activities before moving into its main weekend programme around White Bridge and other central locations.

The exact 2027 schedule of concerts, parades, competitions, food activities and partner events should be checked when the organisers publish the final programme.

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Venue & festival site

White Bridge and its surrounding area are the main festival hub. The area provides space for food, entertainment, family activities, competitions and other attractions, while the wider festival spreads through different parts of Vilnius.

Town Hall Square is another important festival location. Previous editions have used the square for opening performances and major concerts, while other activities have taken place along the Neris River and in city-centre venues.

The 2026 festival also involved locations such as Hales Market, the Neris embankment, Vilnius Railway Station and Lukiškės Prison, demonstrating the city-wide character of the event.

For 2027, the main visitor experience should therefore be considered a city festival rather than an event confined to one fenced venue. Visitors can combine the main White Bridge programme with participating restaurants, cafés, cultural institutions and public spaces throughout Vilnius.

Full food & drink programme

Šaltibarščiai is the central culinary attraction. This traditional Lithuanian cold soup is made around ingredients such as beetroot, kefir or sour milk, cucumbers, spring onions, dill and eggs. It is generally served chilled and commonly accompanied by potatoes.

The festival encourages both traditional and creative interpretations. During the 2026 edition, Go Vilnius specifically highlighted versions prepared by international communities living in Vilnius, including Italian, Indian and Argentine interpretations.

Visitors can expect the 2027 food programme to include:

• Traditional šaltibarščiai: Classic Lithuanian cold beetroot soup prepared using familiar regional ingredients.
• Creative pink soup: Modern interpretations that experiment with flavours, toppings and presentation.
• International versions: Culinary interpretations inspired by different national cuisines.
• Festival street food: Food trucks and temporary food stands around major festival areas.
• Pink desserts: Cakes, ice cream, pastries and other sweets inspired by the festival’s colour.
• Pink drinks: Smoothies, cocktails, coffee creations and other beverages using the festival’s pink theme.
• Restaurant specials: Participating Vilnius restaurants and cafés may create limited-time šaltibarščiai dishes.
• Market food: Hales Market and other city locations can become part of the wider culinary programme.

The official festival FAQ confirms that food trucks operate throughout the event and offer a wide range of food and drink options.

Featured foods & specialties

The signature dish is šaltibarščiai, one of Lithuania’s best-known summer foods. Its bright pink colour comes primarily from beetroot, while kefir or sour milk gives the soup its refreshing, creamy character.

Traditional versions are generally served cold with chopped cucumber, dill, spring onions and egg, with boiled potatoes commonly served alongside the soup. The simplicity of the dish makes it particularly suitable for experimentation, and the festival has developed into a showcase for both classic and unconventional versions.

Previous festival programmes have demonstrated how broadly the pink-soup concept can be interpreted. Restaurants and cafés have created dishes such as pink-soup-inspired tacos, pink ice cream, pink lattes, eggs Benedict with pink sauce, doughnuts with pink glaze and Asian-inspired versions incorporating wasabi.

The 2027 culinary programme may include:

• Classic cold beet soup: The traditional Lithuanian preparation.
• Pink soup with potatoes: A familiar combination for first-time visitors.
• International pink soup: Versions influenced by other cuisines.
• Pink ice cream: A playful dessert interpretation.
• Pink doughnuts: Sweet bakery creations using the festival colour.
• Pink drinks: Creative beverages inspired by šaltibarščiai.
• Modern restaurant dishes: More refined interpretations created specifically for the festival.

Individual 2027 dishes should be treated as unconfirmed until the official restaurant and food programme is released.

Restaurants, vendors & producers

The festival works with restaurants, cafés, food trucks, markets, cultural venues and other local businesses throughout Vilnius. This means the culinary experience can extend well beyond the main festival area.

The 2026 edition demonstrated this approach particularly clearly. Shopping Centre CUP restaurants and cafés created special pink-soup menus, including traditional and experimental versions, pink desserts, pink drinks and other themed dishes.

Hales Market has also been incorporated into the wider festival food programme. The 2026 Pink Break initiative encouraged people across Vilnius to stop for a synchronized šaltibarščiai lunch, with participating locations including Hales Market, Vilnius Railway Station and Lukiškės Prison.

For 2027, visitors should look for:

• Vilnius restaurants: Restaurants creating special festival menus.
• Cafés and bakeries: Pink desserts, coffee and themed snacks.
• Food trucks: Quick meals and festival food near major activity areas.
• Markets: Traditional and contemporary Lithuanian food experiences.
• Museums and cultural venues: Food-related experiences connected with Lithuanian history.
• International communities: Creative interpretations of the national dish.

The final participating venue list should be checked on the official festival map once it is published.

Wine, beer & beverage selection

The festival’s beverage programme is broader than traditional alcoholic drinks. Because šaltibarščiai itself is a refreshing summer dish, cold beverages, mocktails, coffee and creative pink drinks naturally fit the festival atmosphere.

Previous partner menus have included unusual creations such as a pink latte, pink-soup-inspired cocktails and other colourful drinks.

Visitors may find:

• Pink-themed soft drinks: Refreshing non-alcoholic options.
• Coffee creations: Special festival-inspired coffee drinks.
• Mocktails: Non-alcoholic drinks suitable for families and visitors avoiding alcohol.
• Cocktails: Creative pink-themed alcoholic beverages at participating venues.
• Beer: Lithuanian and international beer selections may be available at festival food areas and participating venues.
• Wine: Wine can be found at restaurants and partner venues across the city.

The exact 2027 beverage selection has not yet been published, so visitors should use the final programme as the guide for specific drinks and participating venues.

Tastings, cooking demos & workshops

Vilnius Pink Soup Fest is primarily an interactive city celebration rather than a conventional cooking exhibition. Visitors can taste dishes, participate in competitions, join themed activities and discover the history and preparation of šaltibarščiai.

One notable 2026 cultural-food programme took place at the Castellan’s House. Visitors could attend a free tasting called “Tradition in a Glass: Quick Pink Soup” and take part in an educational experience exploring the historical development of cold soup in Lithuania.

The educational experience used historical storytelling and interactive tasks involving ingredients such as cucumbers, beetroot, eggs, dill and sour milk. This type of programme demonstrates how the festival can connect contemporary food culture with Lithuanian culinary history.

Future editions may include:

• Soup tastings: Traditional and modern versions of šaltibarščiai.
• Food demonstrations: Presentations explaining ingredients and preparation.
• Cultural workshops: Activities connecting food with Lithuanian traditions.
• Interactive experiences: Games, competitions and themed challenges.
• Restaurant tastings: Special dishes available throughout the city.

The final 2027 workshop schedule should be checked after the programme announcement.

Ticket types & entry options

Vilnius Pink Soup Fest is a free city festival. General admission to the main festival area and major cultural entertainment is free, while food, drinks, merchandise and selected attractions are paid separately.

For 2027, no general admission price is required because the festival remains free to enter.

Previous-edition reference prices can help visitors understand some optional expenses:

• General festival admission: Free.
• 90-minute river boat e-ticket in 2026: Approximately $3.47.
• Contactless river boat ticket in 2026: Approximately $4.63.
• Pink Soup educational experience at the Castellan’s House in 2026: Approximately $4.63.
• Pink Soup Fest T-shirt in 2026: Approximately $23.15.
• Festival cap in 2026: Approximately $15.05.
• Pink Soup bag in 2026: Approximately $15.05.
• Badge set in 2026: Approximately $11.58.
• Socks in 2026: Approximately $10.42.
• Keyring in 2026: Approximately $6.95.
• Sticker set in 2026: Approximately $3.47.

These amounts are converted reference prices from 2026 and are not confirmed 2027 prices.

VIP & premium experiences

Vilnius Pink Soup Fest is fundamentally an open city celebration rather than a VIP-focused festival. The principal concerts, main festival area and many cultural activities are available without general admission charges.

Premium or paid experiences can appear as individual activities rather than as a single VIP package. For example, the 2026 Castellan’s House educational experience had limited capacity and required separate admission, while river boat trips were also paid experiences.

For 2027, any reserved experiences, limited-capacity workshops, paid attractions or special hospitality packages should be confirmed through the official programme.

Visitors looking for a more comfortable experience can also combine the festival with a restaurant reservation, rooftop venue or hotel stay in central Vilnius.

Event rules

The festival is open to the public, but visitors should follow instructions from organisers and respect temporary restrictions around crowded areas.

The main festival area can become very busy, particularly during concerts, parades and competitions. Visitors should keep personal belongings secure and follow staff instructions when moving between activity areas.

Pets are technically possible, but the official festival FAQ strongly recommends leaving pets safely at home because large crowds, noise and heat can be stressful for animals. If a pet must attend, the organiser advises keeping it close and on a leash and using a muzzle if necessary.

The event also includes temporary road closures around White Bridge and other busy areas. Visitors arriving by car should follow official traffic instructions rather than attempting to drive directly into the main festival zone.

How to get there

Vilnius Pink Soup Fest is easy to combine with a city break because the event is spread across central Vilnius rather than being located outside the city.

White Bridge is the main festival hub, while Town Hall Square and other city locations host additional activities. Visitors staying in the Old Town can reach White Bridge on foot along the Neris riverside.

A typical walking route from Town Hall Square to White Bridge takes around 15–20 minutes, passing through central streets and along the Neris embankment.

Visitors arriving from Vilnius Railway Station can also use city public transport or festival-specific services when available.

Public transport & parking

Public transport is a practical choice because the main festival areas are located in central Vilnius and temporary traffic restrictions may affect roads around White Bridge.

During the 2026 edition, a specially decorated free festival bus connected Vilnius Railway Station with Konstitucijos Avenue. Similar festival transport may be introduced for 2027, but the final route should be confirmed after the 2027 transport information is published.

Visitors can also use Vilnius city buses and other public transport services to reach the central area.

River boats provide another option when the service is operating. In 2026, a 90-minute electronic boat ticket cost approximately $3.47, while contactless payment on board was approximately $4.63.

For drivers, parking outside the immediate festival area and continuing by public transport or on foot is generally more practical than attempting to park directly beside White Bridge. Temporary road closures can make central access more difficult during major programme periods.

Accommodation areas

Central Vilnius is the most convenient base for visitors attending Pink Soup Fest because many festival locations can be reached on foot.

Recommended areas include:

• Vilnius Old Town: Ideal for combining the festival with historic streets, restaurants, cafés and cultural attractions.
• Town Hall area: Convenient for events at Town Hall Square and access to the Old Town.
• Naujamiestis: A central district with restaurants, nightlife and relatively easy access to the festival areas.
• Šnipiškės: Located close to White Bridge and Konstitucijos Avenue.
• Central business district: Convenient for White Bridge, shopping centres and modern restaurants.
• Near Vilnius Railway Station: Useful for visitors relying on trains and festival transport.

Because the event attracts a large number of visitors, accommodation can become busy. Booking early is particularly useful for travellers who want to stay close to White Bridge or the Old Town.

Food & drink highlights

The defining food experience is the opportunity to try šaltibarščiai in different forms while exploring Vilnius.

The festival’s culinary highlights include:

• Traditional Lithuanian cold beet soup: The essential first tasting for newcomers.
• Beetroot and kefir combinations: The foundation of the classic dish.
• Cucumber and dill toppings: Familiar ingredients that provide freshness.
• Boiled potatoes: A traditional accompaniment.
• International interpretations: Versions influenced by cuisines from different communities.
• Pink desserts: Ice cream, doughnuts and other sweet creations.
• Pink coffee: Creative beverages inspired by the festival.
• Pink cocktails and mocktails: Drinks designed around the event’s signature colour.
• Restaurant specials: Limited-time dishes created for the festival.
• Market experiences: Food and cultural activities at locations such as Hales Market.

In 2026, some venues even experimented with Asian flavours, including wasabi-based pink soup, while other restaurants created pink tacos, pink lattes and other unconventional dishes.

Accessibility

The festival is spread across public spaces, city streets, cultural venues and the White Bridge area. Visitors with mobility requirements should therefore consider that accessibility conditions can differ between locations.

The main festival areas are accessible by city public transport, and the central location makes it possible to move between venues without relying on a car.

Visitors should be aware that large crowds can make movement slower around White Bridge, Town Hall Square and popular food areas. Temporary street closures can also change normal routes.

For specific accessibility requirements at individual museums, restaurants, workshops or paid attractions, visitors should check directly with the venue before attending.

Best days to attend

Saturday is expected to be the main day of Vilnius Pink Soup Fest 2027. The official 2027 announcement identifies May 29 as the main festival day, making it the most important day for visitors wanting to experience the central programme and major city-wide activities.

Friday is suitable for visitors who want to begin the weekend more gradually and explore opening activities, restaurants and city-centre experiences.

Saturday is best suited to visitors interested in the largest concentration of festival entertainment, food activities, competitions, costumes and public celebrations.

Sunday can be more suitable for travellers who prefer a slightly more relaxed city visit while still experiencing the festival atmosphere and participating venues.

Visitors staying for all three days can combine festival activities with Vilnius Old Town, museums, markets and restaurants.

Previous year’s highlights

The 2026 edition was the festival’s largest reported edition to date, attracting more than 176,000 visits over three days. Around 35,000 visitors came from abroad, demonstrating the festival’s growing international appeal.

The 2026 programme included the first Pink Soup Boat Parade on the Neris River, a giant pink slide, a pink-themed costume competition and numerous culinary interpretations of šaltibarščiai.

The festival also introduced Pink Break, a synchronized city-wide pink-soup lunch initiative designed to bring people together at the same time for a shared meal. Locations included workplaces, public spaces, Hales Market, Vilnius Railway Station and Lukiškės Prison.

The entertainment programme included performances at Town Hall Square, the Pink Soup Parade, a waiters’ race, a šaltibarščiai eating competition, a costume competition and concerts.

The 2026 edition also demonstrated the festival’s international culinary character. Visitors could encounter interpretations of the Lithuanian dish inspired by Italian, Indian, Argentine and other cuisines.

These elements provide a useful indication of the festival’s direction, but individual performers, attractions and food partners for 2027 should be considered unconfirmed until officially announced.

Official tickets

Vilnius Pink Soup Fest 2027 is a free-entry city festival. There is no general admission ticket required for the main festival area, major public performances and other open cultural activities. Food, beverages, merchandise, transport experiences and selected attractions may require separate payment.

The official festival website is the primary source for the 2027 programme, festival map, participating locations and visitor information.

Vilnius Pink Soup Fest official website (https://www.govilnius.lt/pink-soup-fest)

For general enquiries, visitors can contact Go Vilnius at info@govilnius.lt or +370 686 57232.