Across Lithuania, people celebrate Žolinė, the traditional end-of-summer festival. It marks the start of the harvest season, the ripening of crops, and a respectful farewell to the herbs and greenery. This year, the festival also coincides with the start of a long weekend, and LRT.lt suggests 10 ways to enjoy the celebrations in both fun and meaningful ways.
Žolinė at the Open Air Museum of Lithuania
On August 15, the Open Air Museum of Lithuania, one of the largest ethnographic open-air museums in Europe, invites visitors to a vibrant, lively, and summer-scented Žolinė celebration. The day begins at 12:00 with Mass at the museum town church, during which wheat, fruits, vegetables, and bread – all gifts of summer – will be blessed. Tradition holds that placing the first slice of bread and herbs at the altar of Mary brings a plentiful and happy autumn.
After Mass, a festive procession will move to the Aukštaitija ethnographic village (representing northeastern Lithuania), where each courtyard will welcome guests in its own way – with songs, dances, herbal experiences, delicious teas, traditional crafts, games, and other activities.
Learn more here.
End-of-honey harvest festival at the Old Beekeeping Museum
As every year, when herbs are in bloom and bees are buzzing, the End-of-honey harvest festival Catch the Swarm will take place on August 15 in Stripeikiai village, Ignalina district. From morning till evening, visitors can enjoy lectures, craft corners, creative workshops, concerts, and fun activities for children.
Guests will learn more about bees and ancient beekeeping traditions, taste fresh honey, and sample festive baked goods reflecting culinary heritage, guided by educator and historical cuisine researcher Anželika Laužikienė (advance registration required). The event will also feature a ceremony honouring bee deities and ancient Baltic wedding rites.
Learn more here.
Žolinė experiences at Vilnius University Botanical Garden, Kairėnai
One of Lithuania’s oldest summer festivals, celebrating the fullness of nature, gratitude, and community, will be held on August 15 at Vilnius University Botanical Garden in Kairėnai. The Žolinėk`25 programme includes meetings with herbalists, artisans, and sauna masters, lectures from experts and scientists, educational activities, creative workshops, various exhibitions, an open-air artists’ workshop, and fun children activities in the Children’s Meadow. Live music including Monos, Baltasis Kiras, and Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio Dantys will add to the atmosphere.
Learn more here.
Žolinė marathon in Vingis Park
For the seventh year, the Žolinė marathon in Vingis Park invites participants to celebrate the festival in a healthy, joyful, meaningful, and sober way on August 15. Tradition holds that those who do not celebrate Žolinė will experience poverty, misfortune, loneliness, and lack of support.
Runners can choose from six distances, from a 500 m family run to the full marathon (42,195 km). The event welcomes professionals and beginners alike, offering everyone a chance to move and connect with the essence of the festival. Each participant receives a symbolic statuette featuring a Lithuanian plant, with this year’s focus on sunflowers.
Learn more here.
24-hour sutartinės singing marathon in Kaunas
From August 14–15, the National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum in Kaunas will host the traditional Suburtynė (Collective) event, a 24-hour marathon of sutartinės singing – a unique form of traditional Lithuanian multipart, polyphonic songs, recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
Held in the Crosses of Lithuania exhibition, this is the sixth consecutive year combining two UNESCO-recognised traditions – cross-crafting and sutartinės singing.
Throughout the event, sutartinės are sung continuously from noon to noon, including overnight. Visitors can listen, sing, learn, improvise, and dance, experiencing 24 hours of magical ritual sound.
Learn more here.
Žolinė pilgrimages in Pivašiūnai
For a more religious experience, consider Pivašiūnai from August 14–22. Added to the Pope John Paul II Pilgrim Way in 2007, Pivašiūnai is renowned for its Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Žolinė). Every year, pilgrims from across Lithuania and beyond gather here. The celebration of Mary’s Assumption is regarded as a symbol of hope and resilience for the nation.
Learn more here.
Žolinė pilgrimages and Masses are also celebrated in Trakai, on Kopūstinė Island, from August 12–15. Following the sacred ceremonies on 15 August, a fair and traditional festivities take place, featuring cabbage dishes and fun activities.
Learn more here.
Kražiai musial festival
On August 15–16, the traditional Kražiai Festival will gather the local community and visitors from across Lithuania and abroad. Performers include Mantas Ben, 8 Kambarys, Petunija, Electric Ladies, Egidijus Bavikinas, Ona Kolobovaitė, the VDU Chamber Orchestra, Paulina Paukštaitytė, The Roop, and others.
Learn more here.
Žolinė at Pakruojis Manor
On August 15, Pakruojis Manor will host a Žolinė celebration featuring over 400 blooming plant species, a programme of professional performances, manor-inspired culinary delights, traditional entertainment, and handicrafts.
Four-legged festival at Ilzenberg Manor
For those wishing to celebrate Žolinė surrounded by nature, Ilzenberg Manor in Rokiškis district invites families and pets to a summer festival on August 15. The event opens with Justinas Jankevičius and Ramūnas Cicėnas, culminating in concerts by Leonas Somovas and other artists. Visitors can enjoy food and wine tastings, traditional sponge cake baking, a 3D film for children, retriever dog shows, and performances by border guard dogs.
Learn more here.
Zarasai city festival – amidst the blooms
From August 14–16, Zarasai will host a colourful city festival by Lake Zarasas and the Great Island. A highlight is the floral installation “Coast of Flowers,” created by local artists and community members. The shore will be adorned with herb displays, flower carpets, and plant sculptures. The programme includes the international folklore festival Žolynai, offering an immersive experience of traditional music and colours.
Learn more here.
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