Vilnius Turns Pink as 100,000 Visitors Celebrate Lithuania’s Famous Cold Beet Soup Festival
Vilnius Pink Soup Fest Expands Into a Three-Day Celebration
VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuania’s capital has once again turned bright pink as more than 100,000 visitors gather for the annual Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, a unique three-day festival inspired by the country’s iconic cold beetroot soup, šaltibarščiai.
Now in its fourth year, the festival has grown into one of Vilnius’ most recognizable tourism events, attracting visitors from across Europe and beyond. For the first time, the 2026 edition has expanded into a three-day celebration, transforming public spaces, transportation hubs, waterways, and landmarks throughout the city into a giant pink-themed playground.
Festival organizers estimate that approximately 3.3 tonnes of kefir—the key ingredient used in the traditional cold soup—will be consumed during the weekend festivities.
A Citywide Celebration
The event officially began on May 30 with a synchronized citywide lunch known as the “Pink Break,” where residents, businesses, and visitors paused simultaneously to enjoy bowls of the signature pink soup.
Across the city, hundreds of restaurants, cafés, and vendors joined the festivities with creative interpretations of the traditional dish, including pink burgers, beetroot-inspired noodles, desserts, and specialty beverages.
According to Go Vilnius, the city’s official tourism and business development agency, more than 355 locations are participating in this year’s festival programming.
“What makes the festival exciting for us is seeing how it keeps evolving into new forms every year,” said Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, Head of Communications at Go Vilnius.
Pink Parade Takes Over the River
One of the biggest additions to this year’s festival is the inaugural Pink Soup Parade on the Neris River.
Approximately 50 decorated watercraft—including boats, kayaks, and motorboats—travelled through the city in a floating pink procession, accompanied by music, costumes, and festival-themed decorations.
Thousands of spectators lined the riverbanks to watch the parade as the Neris became one of the most photographed attractions of the weekend.
Giant Pink Slide Returns
A festival favourite also returned this year in an even larger format.
Visitors were able to ride a 50-metre-long pink slide standing 13 metres tall—roughly the height of a four-storey building—near the White Bridge area of the city.
The attraction has become one of the festival’s most popular social media backdrops and draws crowds throughout the weekend.
Costumes and Culinary Creativity
The festival’s costume competition continues to be a major attraction, with participants dressing as beetroots, eggs, bowls of soup, and other creative interpretations of šaltibarščiai.
Among those travelling internationally for the event was British visitor Connor Holmes, who arrived wearing custom-built pink knight armour inspired by the famous Lithuanian dish.
Festival organizers say the creativity displayed by both visitors and local businesses has become a defining feature of the event.
Tourism Boost for Vilnius
The growing popularity of Pink Soup Fest is also generating significant tourism activity.
According to organizers, hotel occupancy across Vilnius reached approximately 98 per cent during the festival weekend, with only a limited number of rooms remaining available outside the city centre.
Transportation has also embraced the theme, with special festival branding appearing on trains, buses, railway stations, and even Vilnius Airport.
The city’s “Pink Soup Train,” launched earlier this month, continues operating throughout the summer as part of a tourism campaign promoting rail travel between Poland and Lithuania.
A Distinctive Summer Tradition
While rooted in a traditional Lithuanian dish, Vilnius Pink Soup Fest has evolved into a broader celebration of local culture, creativity, and community participation.
For many visitors, the event serves as an introduction to Vilnius’ growing culinary scene, historic Old Town, and vibrant summer festival calendar.
As concerts, food events, public installations, and nightlife programming continue throughout the weekend, organizers say the festival remains one of the most distinctive celebrations in Europe.
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