All Souls' Day (Vėlinės)
About
A public holiday for remembering the dead, observed the day after All Saints' with continued candle-lighting and graveside visits. Vėlinės has deep roots in Lithuanian folk belief.
Highlights
- Vėlinės became an official public holiday in Lithuania in 2020
- Candlelit cemeteries continue from All Saints' Day
- A quiet, reflective national day
Practical tips
- Combined with Sunday 1 November it makes a two-day period of remembrance in 2026
- Plan around reduced opening hours and holiday transport schedules
- The Antakalnis military cemetery candle displays are striking
Sources
Other upcoming events
All Saints' Day (Visų Šventųjų diena)
A solemn public holiday when Lithuanians visit cemeteries to light candles on family graves. Together with All Souls' Day it creates one of the most atmospheric times of the Lithuanian year.
Christmas (Kalėdos)
Lithuania's Christmas public holiday runs Dec 24–26, centred on the Kūčios family supper on Christmas Eve and two quiet feast days. The city empties as families gather, though the Cathedral Square market and tree glow throughout.
Easter (Velykos)
Lithuania's most important Christian holiday, a two-day public holiday in 2027 celebrated with decorated margučiai eggs, egg-rolling games, morning resurrection mass and family feasts.