This year, Lithuania’s ten largest cities have allocated around 505,000 euros (490,000 euros in 2023) for their Christmas trees. Like last year, Klaipėda is the most economical among them, having spent only 12,600 euros on its main Christmas decoration.
1. Vilnius
After losing out to Kaunas last year, this year Vilnius spent the most on its Christmas tree – 118,700 euros. This is slightly more than last year’s 89,500 euros.
The record year for Vilnius was 2022 when the city’s main Christmas decoration cost 231,000 euros.
This year, a natural spruce tree, sitting in a structure resembling a Christmas toy, was decorated in the Cathedral Square.
As Vilnius looks forward to 2025 when it will become the European Green Capital, the Christmas composition also reflects the principles of sustainability. More than 80 percent of the materials used for decorating the city’s Christmas tree are recycled or reused.
The city’s Christmas tree lighting celebration cost 96,000 euros this year.
2. Marijampolė
Marijampolė City Municipality has not replied to LRT’s questions about the cost of its Christmas tree. However, the contract available at the Central Public Procurement Information System states that the city spent 80,300 euros on decorating its main Christmas tree and the surrounding area.
This year, a metal frame covered with natural spruce branches was erected in Marijampolė. The city’s Christmas tree is 18 metres high and decorated with a 1.4 km long garland and shining hearts.
3. Kaunas
Having allocated 160,000 euros last year, this year Kaunas decided to save and spent half as much – 80 thousand euros – on its main Christmas tree.
The town has installed a 17-metre-high natural spruce tree, decorated with handmade gingerbread decorations. It is estimated that the tree features over 200 different shapes of gingerbread.
Kaunas also organised a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, allocating almost 180,000 euros for this event (170,000 euros in 2023).
4. Mažeikiai
Mažeikiai spent 50,800 euros on its Christmas tree this year (42,300 euros in 2023).
This year, like last year, the city unveiled a natural tree, decorated with silver toys and garlands of warm light.
The city spent an additional 20,000 euros on the Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
5. Panevėžys
Panevėžys allocated 42,000 euros for the construction and decoration of its Christmas tree – the same as last year.
This year, Lithuania’s fifth-largest city has unveiled an 18-metre-tall frame covered with natural spruce branches. It features 3D decorations and thousands of lights.
Panevėžys also allocated 64,000 euros for decorating the city, and 23,000 euros for the Christmas tree lighting event.
6. Šiauliai
Šiauliai allocated around 39,000 euros (42,400 euros in 2023) for its natural Christmas tree.
“Next year’s tree is planned to be decorated with the existing decorations without investing in the purchase,” reads the reply from Šiauliai City Municipality.
The tree was decorated with 400 gold, silver, and white toys of various sizes and a garland of more than 3 kilometres of lights.
The city also spent 54,200 euros on the Christmas tree lighting event.
7. Jonava
This year, Jonava spent 30,250 euros on its main Christmas tree (23,500 euros in 2023).
The city’s main Christmas decoration is made of a metal frame and natural spruce branches and resembles an elf’s hat.
The municipality also spent 47,190 euros on decorating the city for Christmas (excluding the cost of the tree) and 16,000 euros on the Christmas tree lighting event.
8. Utena
After spending only 7,400 euros on the Christmas tree last year, this year Utena allocated a larger sum – 26,700 euros – for its main festive decoration.
Utena also unveiled a tree made of a metal frame and natural spruce branches. It is decorated with national ornaments and warm lights.
The city did not answer when asked how much it spent on the Christmas tree lighting event.
9. Alytus
Alytus spent 31,300 euros on its main Christmas tree this year (25,100 euros last year).
In addition, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony was organised in the town for 25,000 euros.
Unfortunately, the initial Christmas tree in Alytus fell victim to strong winds in Lithuania this week. It was soon replaced by a natural spruce tree donated by one Alytus resident.
10. Klaipėda
Lithuania’s port city of Klaipėda is often the most economical when it comes to Christmas decorations. This year, it allocated 12,600 euros for the main Christmas tree.
According to the city, the tree itself, which was donated by residents, and almost 5 kilometres of coloured garlands did not cost anything. The only investment was the mechanism which rotates the tree.
Klaipėda also spent just over 34,000 euros on the tree-lighting ceremony.
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