Public Holidays • Commemorative Days • Flag Days 2026

Thursday, January 1

New Year's Day — one of the most important celebrations in Lithuania. New Year's Eve is traditionally spent with family or friends, with sparkling wine at the table, and the casting of wax or tin to foretell the coming year. Fireworks at midnight and the President's New Year address on television are essential parts of the festivities. Since 1919, 1 January has also been Lithuania's Flag Day — the national tricolour was raised for the first time atop the Gediminas Tower that day. Many families spend the day quietly: visiting relatives, resting, and discussing plans for the year ahead.

Monday, February 16

On 16 February 1918, the Council of Lithuania, chaired by Jonas Basanavičius, signed the Act of Independence of Lithuania in Vilnius, proclaiming the restoration of the Lithuanian state after 120 years of foreign rule. This is one of the most important dates in Lithuanian history — the birthday of modern Lithuania. The signatories met at Basanavičius's apartment on Pilies Street, which is today the House of Signatories — one of Vilnius's most visited museums. The day is marked with official ceremonies, the President's address, laying of flowers at the signatories' graves in Rasos Cemetery, and the raising of flags across the nation.

Wednesday, March 11

On 11 March 1990, the Supreme Council–Reconstituent Seimas, led by Vytautas Landsbergis, passed the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania. Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to declare independence. It was a bold step — the Soviet Union responded with an economic blockade and, in January 1991, with the bloody events at the Vilnius TV Tower. Full international recognition came in September 1991. 11 March is especially revered in Lithuania — it connects the state founded on 16 February 1918 with modern democratic Lithuania.

Sunday, April 5

Easter — the most important Christian holiday, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Lithuania, Easter is a widely celebrated family occasion combining religious observances with ancient spring customs. On Easter morning families attend the Resurrection Mass, carrying an Easter basket (with painted eggs, a cake, salt, and water) to be blessed. After the service there is a festive breakfast at home. Egg-decorating traditions are especially popular — painting eggs with wax, dyeing them with onion skins, roots, and heather. Egg-rolling and egg-tapping are favourite games for children. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox.

Monday, April 6

Easter Monday — the quieter second day of the Easter feast, most often spent with family. Many families travel to visit more distant relatives, see friends, play outdoors, or enjoy the first springtime picnic. A playful Lithuanian custom on Easter Monday is „vandens pylimas" — young men pour water over young women, wishing them health and beauty. In some regions the Monday is known as „Lingoji" or „Verbų pirmadienis".

Friday, May 1

1 May — International Labour Day, originating from the 1886 Chicago workers' strike. Historically in Lithuania this day was associated with Soviet demonstrations, but since regained independence it has become a quiet spring family holiday. Most Lithuanians spend the day outdoors — the first barbecue of the season, trips to the country cottage, the start of garden work, and folk gatherings. May is traditionally linked with the first natural green of the year — birch buds, chestnut blossoms, and the first sown vegetables.

Sunday, May 3

Mother's Day is celebrated in Lithuania on the first Sunday of May. Although officially a commemorative rather than a public holiday, it is one of the most loved occasions of the year. Children — adults and little ones alike — visit their mothers, bring flowers (tulips, hyacinths, and violets are especially popular), give handmade cards, and arrange festive lunches. Kindergarten and school children prepare for Mother's Day with poems and handcrafted gifts. Mother's Day is both a celebration of spring and a tribute to women and motherhood.

Sunday, June 7

Father's Day in Lithuania is celebrated on the first Sunday of June. This day is a public expression of thanks and respect for fathers, recognising their role in family and society. Children visit their fathers, give handmade cards and little presents, and arrange family dinners. Father's Day is often combined with spring-summer activities in nature: fishing with Dad, cycling routes, the first June grill under the sun. In kindergartens and schools, children prepare gifts for their fathers and learn songs.

Wednesday, June 24

Rasos or Joninės — one of the oldest and most beloved Lithuanian celebrations, observed on 24 June near the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Joninės retains strong pre-Christian, Baltic roots: it is a festival of nature worship, of the sun, fire, water, and plant magic. On Joninės Eve (23 June) huge bonfires are lit on hills or riverbanks; people sing and dance around the fire. Girls float flower wreaths down the river — where the wreath stops, the future husband will come from. At night people search for the mythical blooming fern flower, said to appear only on Joninės night and bring fortune. The largest state celebrations take place in Kernavė and Rumšiškės, featuring folk ensembles.

Monday, July 6

On 6 July 1253, King Mindaugas of Lithuania was crowned — the only moment in Lithuanian history when the country had a Kingdom officially recognised by the Pope. 6 July is Lithuania's Statehood Day, marking the anniversary of the kingdom's creation. The entire nation is united by a unique tradition at 21:00 — „Tautiška giesmė aplink pasaulį" (the National Anthem Around the World): all Lithuanians wherever they are (Vilnius, London, Chicago, Australia) sing the national anthem at the same moment. It is an emotional ritual of national unity, begun in 2009 for the millennium of the name „Lithuania". Concerts, parades of the tricolour, and children's festivals at the Palace of the Grand Dukes in Vilnius mark the day.

Saturday, August 15

Žolinė — the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, observed on 15 August. In Catholic tradition it is one of the principal Marian feasts. In Lithuania, Žolinė preserves both its religious and ancient agrarian meanings. On this day the faithful bring bouquets of herbs and flowers — called „žolynų pučkos" — to church to be blessed: bundles of 9, 12, or 21 different plants including rye, wheat, clover, and linden branches. Blessed bouquets are kept at home as protection against illness, as medicinal material. The most popular pilgrimage destination is Pivašiūnai, where the largest Žolinė indulgences in Lithuania take place.

Sunday, November 1

All Saints' Day — a Christian feast dedicated to all saints, both canonised and anonymous. In Lithuania this day is closely linked with the next — All Souls' (Vėlinės): both dates are spent in cemeteries visiting the graves of loved ones. On 1 November Lithuanian cemeteries light up with thousands of candles — one of the most moving sights of the year. Families visit not only their own relatives' graves but also abandoned ones, lighting candles. Lithuanians say: „All Saints — the festival of little candles." In cemeteries people pray, sing, pause at familiar graves. Afterwards families gather to share memories of those who have passed.

Monday, November 2

Vėlinės — the Catholic Day of the Dead, observed on 2 November. In Lithuania it is one of the most important family traditions — dedicated to the whole kin, to the dead and the living. People return to their home villages, visit the graves of relatives, light candles. Vėlinės in Lithuania is a day not only of sorrow but of peace and reflection. Traditionally there is a family dinner with an empty place left for those who have departed — an ancient Lithuanian custom of „feeding the spirits". Many families, after visiting the cemetery, gather at relatives' homes to share memories. Throughout 2 November, Lithuanian cemeteries glow in a sea of candlelight — especially stunning views at Antakalnis, Rasos, and Rokantiškės cemeteries in Vilnius.

Thursday, December 24

Kūčios — the most important and emotional family celebration for Lithuanians. On Christmas Eve (24 December) the whole family gathers around the Kūčios table. By tradition the supper begins when the first star appears in the sky. The table holds 12 dishes, all meat- and dairy-free (Advent is a time of fasting). A traditional set: herring with various sauces, kūčiukai with poppy-seed milk, mushrooms, potato dishes, fish, cranberry kisielius, sweets. The head of the family breaks the „plotelės" — thin wafers of unleavened bread — sharing a piece with everyone, wishing well-being. All must taste each of the 12 dishes. A bundle of hay is placed under the tablecloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem. At night families go to the Midnight Mass.

Friday, December 25

Christmas Day — the greatest Christian feast, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. After the emotionally intense Kūčios evening, Christmas morning begins with children running to the Christmas tree to see the gifts left by Santa Claus. Christmas in Lithuania is a family occasion, spent at home with loved ones. The festive table is abundant: now meat is allowed — traditionally roast duck, goose, pork, aspic, salads, cakes. The day is spent quietly: playing with gifts, watching Christmas films, visiting relatives. Some families attend church services, especially if they missed Midnight Mass. City squares sparkle with Christmas trees, markets, and light installations.

Saturday, December 26

Boxing Day (the second day of Christmas, or St. Stephen's Day) — the quieter day closing the Christmas festivities. Lithuanians use it to see more distant relatives and friends — visits to grandparents, godparents, neighbours. Christmas gifts that were not opened on the first day are traditionally exchanged. The day has historical significance — the feast of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Many families spend the day outdoors or in nature — playing in the snow (if there is any), sledding, skiing. In 2026 Boxing Day falls on a Saturday — so the holiday merges automatically with the weekend.

Tuesday, January 13

On the night of 13 January 1991 Soviet tanks and special forces attacked the Vilnius TV Tower and the Radio and Television building. Defending unarmed civilians, 14 Lithuanian freedom defenders were killed and hundreds injured. Despite the bloody events, Lithuania held on — the Supreme Council kept working, Sąjūdis rallied society, and the world learned of Lithuania's struggle. Every 13 January, windows in Lithuania glow with candles — the „Candles of Remembrance" campaign unites the whole nation. At 7 a.m. (when the Soviets attacked) the national anthem is sung from the TV Tower. It is a day that reminds us: freedom is cherished and defended.

Wednesday, March 4

St. Casimir is the patron saint of Lithuania and of youth, the son of King Casimir Jagiellon (1458–1484). Canonised in 1602, he is one of Lithuania's three official patron saints. The St. Casimir indulgences in Vilnius are Lithuania's oldest trade fair — „Kaziuko mugė", held since 1604. During this fair, craftsmen's stalls fill Pilies, Didžioji and surrounding Vilnius streets — selling palm branches, raguolis cakes, honey cakes, ceramics, wooden crafts. The signature product is the „Kaziuko heart" of honey dough. Mini-Kaziuko fairs take place in cities across Lithuania. St. Casimir's remains rest in Vilnius Cathedral — in the grandest Baroque Chapel of St. Casimir.

Sunday, March 29

On 29 March 2004, Lithuania, along with six other countries (Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia), officially became a NATO member. It was a historic event — Lithuania finally returned to the Western security space. By joining NATO, Lithuania committed to collective defence — „each for all and all for each." Today NATO maintains an enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Lithuania (in Rukla), air policing missions from Šiauliai (Zokniai) airbase. The day is marked with military parades and ceremonies at military barracks.

Friday, May 1

On 1 May 2004, Lithuania, together with nine other countries, officially joined the European Union — the largest simultaneous EU enlargement in history. In a 2003 referendum, 91% of Lithuanians who voted approved accession. EU membership opened the four fundamental freedoms (of goods, persons, services, capital), brought structural funds, Schengen membership (since 2007), and the euro (since 2015). Lithuania is a European country — and EU membership shaped its identity, economic direction, and foreign policy. Commemorated jointly with International Labour Day.

Thursday, May 7

On 7 May 1904 Tsar Nicholas II of the Russian Empire lifted the 40-year ban on Lithuanian printing in the Latin alphabet. From 1864, Lithuania had been forbidden to print or distribute Lithuanian books in Latin script — only Cyrillic was permitted. This led to the movement of „knygnešiai" — book carriers who secretly brought books from Prussia into Lithuania. Over 40 years the book carriers smuggled over 3 million books. Jurgis Bielinis, Kazys Grinius and thousands of others risked Siberia and hard labour. The restoration of the press was a turning point in the Lithuanian national awakening, so 7 May is marked as the symbolic day of the Lithuanian language and book.

Friday, May 15

On 15 May 1920, the democratically elected Constituent Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania convened for the first time in Kaunas. Aleksandras Stulginskis was elected its chairman. The Constituent Seimas adopted a provisional constitution and, in 1922, the permanent Constitution, approved the land reform, and began building state institutions. 15 May symbolically marks the beginning of parliamentary tradition in Lithuania. On this day the Speaker of the Seimas delivers the annual address at the Seimas, and events are held marking parliamentarism and the Constitution.

Sunday, June 14

On 14 June 1941, the first mass deportation of Lithuanian residents to Siberia began. Over one night the Soviets deported more than 17,000 people — families with children, babies, and the elderly were dragged from their homes, sent to the Altai, Sakhalin, and the islands of the Laptev Sea. The first wave lasted until 18 June. Between 1941 and 1953 about 130,000 people were deported or imprisoned from Lithuania; a third of them died. The symbol of hope is that many returned, and that Lithuania itself preserved freedom. On 14 June, flowers are laid at the Museum of Genocide Victims in Vilnius and lists of deportees' names are read aloud.

Monday, June 15

On 15 June 1940, the Soviet army invaded Lithuania and began the Soviet occupation — the first wave of occupation, lasting until June 1941. During this occupation the independent Lithuanian state was liquidated, thousands of Lithuanian citizens were imprisoned and killed, and political, ethnic, and religious persecution began. 15 June is a mark of a painful date in Lithuanian memory. Commemorated together with the 14 June Day of Mourning and Hope as a unified memorial for the deportation-occupation sequence.

Wednesday, July 15

On 15 July 1410, in the Battle of Žalgiris (Grunwald), the joint forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland, led by Vytautas the Great and Jogaila, crushed the Teutonic Knights' army under Grand Master Ulrich von Jungingen. It was the largest medieval battle in Central Europe. The victory at Žalgiris halted the Teutonic Order's eastward expansion, preserved the independence of Lithuania and Poland, and shaped the region's fate for centuries. On the Žalgiris battlefields (in present-day Poland) a historical reconstruction takes place every year — one of the largest in Europe, with knights from around the world.

Sunday, August 23

A dual date: on 23 August 1939 the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact with a secret protocol under which Lithuania was assigned to the German, later Soviet, sphere of influence. This pact determined the occupation of the three Baltic states. Exactly 50 years later — on 23 August 1989 — about 2 million Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians joined hands forming the 600-km-long Baltic Way, stretching from Vilnius through Riga to Tallinn. It was a silent but powerful protest against occupation and a signal to the world of their aspiration for independence. The Baltic Way became one of the most moving events of the late 20th century; UNESCO inscribed it in the Memory of the World Register.

Monday, August 31

On 31 August 1993, the last Soviet (Russian) soldier left Lithuania. This was the true date of Lithuania's recovery of freedom — after nearly 50 years of occupation (1940–1941, 1944–1993) Lithuania was, for the first time, free of foreign troops. The withdrawal began in 1992 and lasted more than a year. The day is commemorated jointly with Lithuanian Army Day — honouring the country's military, its defence, and its allies.

Tuesday, September 8

On 8 September 1430, Grand Duke Vytautas of Lithuania was to be crowned King — the European court had already approved the crown. However, Polish nobles seized the coronation carriage and prevented the ceremony. Vytautas died a month later in Trakai. Had the coronation taken place, Lithuania would have become an official kingdom. Today 8 September is observed as the Day of the Nation — a celebration of Lithuanian identity and historical memory. In Trakai and Vilnius there are historical events, equestrian performances, medieval reconstructions.

Wednesday, September 23

On 23 September 1943, the Vilnius ghetto — one of the largest Jewish communities in Eastern Europe — was finally liquidated. During the Nazi occupation of 1941–1944 about 195,000 Lithuanian Jews were murdered in Lithuania — more than 90% of the country's Jewish community. Before the war, Vilnius (Vilna) had been the „Jerusalem of Lithuania" — the most important Jewish spiritual and cultural centre in Eastern Europe. The Holocaust in Lithuania is the most tragic chapter of its history. On 23 September, memorial ceremonies are held at Ponary (Paneriai), the killing site near Vilnius, attended by survivors, their children, and representatives of political and religious life.

Sunday, October 25

On 25 October 1992, the citizens of Lithuania adopted the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania in a referendum — the basic law of the state. 75% of those who voted approved the Constitution. It establishes Lithuania as an independent democratic republic, enshrines human rights, the separation of powers, civil liberties, and a Constitutional Court. The Lithuanian Constitution is one of the strictest in the world — the independence of the Republic and its democratic foundations cannot be changed even by referendum. Since 2023, 25 October has been marked in schools as Constitution Day — lessons on the foundations of law are held, with Constitution exams for pupils.

Thursday, January 1

Monday, February 16

Wednesday, March 11

Sunday, April 5

Monday, April 6

Friday, May 1

Sunday, May 3

Sunday, June 7

Wednesday, June 24

Monday, July 6

Saturday, August 15

Sunday, November 1

Monday, November 2

Thursday, December 24

Friday, December 25

Saturday, December 26