Vilnius Old Town hosts Christmas Market from 28 November

Vilnius Old Town hosts the Vilnius Christmas Market from 28 November to 27 December 2026, with the opening tree lighting scheduled for the first day in Cathedral Square. The historic centre, known locally as Vilniaus senamiestis, will link the seasonal programme with one of Lithuania's principal heritage areas.

Christmas Market opens in Cathedral Square on 28 November

The announced programme from Visit Vilnius confirms the dates for the main market and the tree lighting. The market will occupy Cathedral Square, where the 2026 tree will be revealed during the lighting ceremony on 28 November.

The programme describes stalls operated by local businesses and makers, with gingerbread, sweets, mulled wine, candles, amber jewellery and handmade wooden toys among the listed categories. The complete concert programme, daily market hours and some details of the supporting activities had not yet been announced in the official preview.

Cathedral Square connects the market with medieval Vilnius

Cathedral Square sits within the Vilnius Historic Centre, which UNESCO inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1994. The protected area covers 352 hectares and retains a largely medieval street pattern, alongside Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and classical buildings.

The square also carries a specific historical connection to the setting of the market. UNESCO records that it covers the foundations of the Lower Castle, demolished after the third partition of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1795. The modern Christmas programme therefore takes place in a public space shaped by several layers of Vilnius history, rather than at a separate seasonal venue.

Seasonal attractions extend beyond the main market

The announced programme reaches into other parts of the historic centre. A Christmas train is scheduled to run through the Old Town from 28 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, while an open-air ice rink is planned for Town Hall Square.

The programme also lists Design Square from 15 to 20 December, although its venue was still to be confirmed. These activities are separate from the main market dates, so a visit after 27 December may still include the train and other seasonal installations without the Cathedral Square stalls.

Visiting Vilnius Old Town: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Vilnius Christmas Market runs in Cathedral Square from 28 November to 27 December 2026, with the tree lighting on 28 November.
• The market is planned as an open public event, but the official preview had not published daily hours or the complete concert programme.
• Cathedral Square is within the central Old Town and can be reached on foot or by public transport from elsewhere in Vilnius.
• The historic centre retains medieval streets and squares, so visitors should expect uneven paving and winter conditions when moving between outdoor venues.
• Lithuania's official language is Lithuanian, and its national currency is the euro.

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Frequently asked questions about Vilnius Old Town

When does the Christmas Market take place at Vilnius Old Town?

The market runs from 28 November to 27 December 2026 in Cathedral Square. The tree lighting is scheduled for 28 November 2026.

What is Vilnius Old Town?

It is the historic centre of Vilnius and a UNESCO World Heritage property inscribed in 1994. The protected area covers 352 hectares and preserves a medieval street pattern.

Where is Vilnius Old Town and how do you get there?

The market venue, Cathedral Square, is in the central Old Town of Vilnius. It can be reached on foot or by public transport from elsewhere in the city.