Escape Dreary UK Winter & Head to Vilnius Light Festival 2026

As the Christmas decorations come down and the January gloom sets in, there is a compelling case for one more dose of winter magic. The Vilnius Light Festival returns 23-25 January 2026, transforming Lithuania’s capital into an open-air gallery of contemporary light installations across the UNESCO-listed Old Town. Now in its eighth year, the three-day event marks Vilnius' 703rd birthday and features an evening route of 24 illuminated artworks from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.The festival, which happens during the darkest time of the year, has a mission – to turn winter darkness into a city-wide spectacle of lights that spotlights Vilnius’ architecture, from historical façades to the romantic courtyards most visitors miss in daylight.

UNESCO-listed streets become a canvas 

“Winter darkness becomes our stage,” said Paulius Jurgutis, Head of Vilnius Cultural Center. “We want visitors to discover the fascinating corners of Vilnius they would never find by daylight – think hidden courtyards and quiet squares – that suddenly transform into places of congregation. Light art reveals the city from a unique perspective: architectural details you would walk past during the day become fairytale-like spaces. Our goal is to help people see familiar locations with fresh eyes, rather than just create a big, flashy spectacle.”

British visitors will find the concept familiar – events like Lumiere and Winter Lights at Canary Wharf have established light art as a legitimate cultural experience rather than mere decoration. Vilnius offers its own take: an entire UNESCO-listed Old Town as the canvas, with installations woven through medieval streets, baroque courtyards and hidden squares that most tourists rarely discover.

An immersive experience of the city 

The festival rewards those who want more than just a photo opportunity, with the works aiming to investigate specific themes and stimulate reflection. Furthermore, the festival serves as a curated walking tour of Vilnius’ architectural layers, revealing how seven centuries of history sit side by side.

This means the festival also aligns well with emerging travel patterns identified by industry analysts. Research from Explore suggests that British travellers increasingly seek purposeful, immersive experiences with opportunities to connect with local culture. With the light festival beginning at 5:00 PM, visitors have five hours of illuminated exploration each evening. 

From memory to mould: international artists tackle diverse themes 

In 2026, the festival will continue its tried and tested format of free public installations accessible without tickets or advance registration located across multiple venues, including church interiors, baroque courtyards, historic squares, underground spaces and lesser-known spots in the old town. This year's festival programme features 15 works by artists from 9 different countries, along with 7 student works and 4 additional objects.

A range of fascinating themes will be explored within the works, from mould and plant life to solar energy and the vastness of space. Notable works include:

●       Liquid Lens, a contemplative and experimental look at optical illusions by Italian artist Alessandro Lupi.

●       The Bird of a Thousand Voices by Boris Acket (the Netherlands), a motor-controlled installation exploring the relationship between memory and imagination.

●       Deviation by German artist Sven Sauer, a work that deploys light as an architectural force and creates vivid sensory environments.

●       Alcove Ltd., an installation by Encor Studio (Switzerland) that juxtaposes architecture, light and space.

●       Memory Garden by Lithuanian creators Agnė Stirnė and Oskaras Stirna, a piece that turns wildflowers, leaves and pebbles into objects of exploration and play, giving inspiration for creativity.

●       And αsκlipion, a plant-oriented installation created by returning French artist Emilien Guesnard in collaboration with sound designer Cédric Béron, biologist Emeline Mourocq and herbalist Claire Lebeau.

To help visitors navigate the route, the Vilnius Light Festival app offers maps, installation descriptions and online wayfinding tools. Beyond the festival’s evening programming, Vilnius offers other winter-friendly activities all reachable in about 30 minutes from anywhere in the city, such as the MO Museum for contemporary art, Michelin-listed dining, independent galleries and even Europe’s most accessible urban ski slope in Liepkalnis.

Getting to Vilnius

Vilnius is easily accessible with direct flights from London Stansted, London City and London Luton several times a week. With convenient transport links to Riga, Tallinn and Poland, Vilnius is also the perfect base for regional holiday adventures.