Lithuania Public Holidays

Lithuania Public Holidays

Searching for the national holidays in Lithuania? All public holidays in Lithuania are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Lithuania employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Lithuania and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.

Lithuania, a Baltic nation with a rich cultural and historical heritage, celebrates a variety of public holidays that reflect its Christian traditions, national history, and cultural customs. These holidays offer opportunities for Lithuanians to commemorate significant events in their history, honor religious milestones, and enjoy time with family and friends. Many of the holidays are steeped in Catholic traditions, while others celebrate the country’s independence and national identity.

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Religious Holidays

According to homeagerly.com, Lithuania is predominantly a Roman Catholic country, and many of its public holidays are tied to the Christian faith. These religious holidays are often marked by church services, family gatherings, and various cultural traditions. They provide an important way for Lithuanians to express their faith and participate in centuries-old customs.

Christmas Day (Kalėdos)

• Date: December 25
• Significance: Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, a central event in the Christian faith.
• Traditions:
  • Christmas Eve (Kūčios) is particularly important in Lithuania, with families gathering for a festive meal of 12 dishes, symbolizing the 12 apostles. The meal is traditionally meatless and includes foods such as fish, herring, potatoes, and poppy seed dishes.
  • A special emphasis is placed on the sharing of plotkelė (a thin wafer similar to communion bread), which is shared among family members before the meal to wish each other good health and happiness.
  • Many Lithuanians attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day itself is often spent with family, exchanging gifts and enjoying festive meals.
  • The Christmas season is a time for reflection, charity, and spending time with loved ones.

Easter (Velykos)

• Date: Varies (March or April, depending on the Christian calendar)
• Significance: Commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, a cornerstone of the Christian faith.
• Traditions:
  • Easter in Lithuania begins with Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. On Palm Sunday, families attend church with palm branches or pussy willow branches, as actual palms are scarce in Lithuania.
  • Lithuanians dye Easter eggs (margučiai) in vibrant colors and patterns using natural dyes made from onion skins, beets, and other ingredients. These decorated eggs are used in traditional Easter games, where participants compete by knocking eggs against one another to see whose egg remains uncracked.
  • On Easter Sunday, families attend church services, after which they gather for a festive meal that includes roasted meats, egg dishes, and sweet cakes.
  • Easter Monday is also a public holiday, and it is often a day for visiting friends and family, continuing the celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

All Saints’ Day (Visų Šventųjų diena)

• Date: November 1
• Significance: A day to honor all the saints and remember deceased loved ones.
• Traditions:
  • Lithuanians visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of family members, placing flowers and lighting candles to honor their memory. The sight of candlelit cemeteries is one of the most moving aspects of this holiday.
  • Many attend church services on this day to pray for the souls of the deceased and reflect on the lives of the saints.
  • All Saints’ Day is a solemn holiday, observed with reverence and quiet remembrance, as families pay their respects to those who have passed away.

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National Holidays

Lithuania’s national holidays commemorate key moments in the country’s history, particularly its struggle for independence and sovereignty. These holidays are marked by patriotic events, cultural celebrations, and a strong sense of national pride.

Independence Restoration Day (Nepriklausomybės Atkūrimo Diena)

• Date: March 11
• Significance: Celebrates the restoration of Lithuania’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.
• Traditions:
  • Independence Restoration Day is marked with official ceremonies, including speeches by government leaders, flag-raising ceremonies, and parades. The capital, Vilnius, hosts large-scale events that include concerts, exhibitions, and cultural performances.
  • Lithuanians decorate their homes, cars, and public spaces with the national flag, and many participate in marches and gatherings to show their patriotic spirit.
  • Schools and public institutions organize educational events and discussions about Lithuania’s journey to independence and its modern democratic state.
  • For many, the day is a reflection of Lithuania’s resilience and determination to maintain its sovereignty and national identity.

Statehood Day (Karaliaus Mindaugo Karūnavimo diena)

• Date: July 6
• Significance: Commemorates the coronation of King Mindaugas in 1253, the first and only king of Lithuania, and celebrates the establishment of the Lithuanian state.
• Traditions:
  • On this day, patriotic events are held across the country, including historical reenactments, cultural performances, and official ceremonies that honor Lithuania’s medieval past and its role in European history.
  • A unique tradition on Statehood Day is the singing of the national anthem, “Tautiška giesmė,” at 9 p.m. local time. Lithuanians across the world gather to sing the anthem simultaneously, creating a powerful display of national unity and pride.
  • The holiday is also a time to reflect on Lithuania’s cultural heritage, and many towns and cities hold folk festivals and performances of traditional music and dance.

Independence Day (Lietuvos Nepriklausomybės Diena)

• Date: February 16
• Significance: Marks the declaration of Lithuania’s independence from the Russian Empire in 1918, following World War I.
• Traditions:
  • Independence Day is celebrated with patriotic fervor, with parades, military displays, and public gatherings across the country. The main events take place in Vilnius, where the President and other officials give speeches and attend ceremonies at the Seimas (Parliament) and other historical sites.
  • Cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions are organized to highlight Lithuanian history and achievements, fostering a sense of national pride.
  • The Lithuanian flag is prominently displayed throughout the country, and many citizens participate in various public events to honor the founding of modern Lithuania.

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Cultural and Seasonal Holidays

In addition to religious and national holidays, Lithuania observes several cultural and seasonal celebrations that highlight the country’s traditions, connection to nature, and ancient customs.

Joninės (St. John’s Day or Midsummer)

• Date: June 24
• Significance: Celebrates the summer solstice and the feast of St. John, blending ancient pagan traditions with Christian observances.
• Traditions:
  • Joninės is one of Lithuania’s most beloved holidays, celebrated with bonfires, dancing, and singing, as it marks the longest day of the year. People gather outdoors to enjoy nature, often near rivers, lakes, or forests.
  • Traditional rituals include jumping over bonfires to ensure good health, searching for the mythical fern flower, which is said to bring good luck, and making flower wreaths to float on water.
  • The holiday is often spent with family and friends, enjoying a night of festivities and celebration of the natural world. As the sun sets late on this day, the evening is filled with vibrant energy and excitement.

Užgavėnės (Shrove Tuesday)

• Date: Varies (February or March, before the beginning of Lent)
• Significance: Marks the end of winter and the beginning of the Lenten season, celebrated with lively festivities to drive away the cold season.
• Traditions:
  • Užgavėnės is a colorful and joyful holiday featuring elaborate masks, costumes, and parades. People dress up as witches, devils, and animals to ward off winter and welcome the arrival of spring.
  • The holiday centers on the burning of Morė, a straw figure symbolizing winter, to signify the end of the cold season.
  • Pancakes (blynai) are a traditional dish eaten during Užgavėnės, as the round shape of the pancakes symbolizes the sun.
  • The day is marked by energetic dances, games, and competitions, creating a festive atmosphere as Lithuanians prepare for the solemn period of Lent.