Malmo might be the pink city, but in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania they celebrate their love for pink soup. Don’t worry it is not as bad as it sounds as Lithuanian pink soup is actually a cold beetroot soup or šaltibarščiai. However at the Pink Soup Fest in June, locals take their love of the soup a step further.
Lithuanian Pink Soup 2027
The 2027 event will be particularly significant as it marks the fifth anniversary of the festival. While the full programme will be unveiled nearer the time, organisers have hinted at an expanded celebration featuring bigger attractions, new experiences and a host of special surprises to commemorate the milestone.
The announcement follows the festival’s biggest year yet. In 2026, more than 176,000 visits were recorded as Vilnius celebrated Lithuania’s famous cold beetroot soup, šaltibarščiai, with a city-wide festival awash in pink.
Held at the beginning of the Nordic summer, this year’s edition transformed streets, squares and venues across the Lithuanian capital with its most ambitious programme to date. Around 35,000 international visitors, including almost 3,000 travellers from the UK, joined locals for a weekend of colourful festivities. Highlights included the Pink Parade on the river, the popular costume competition, a four-storey pink slide and a wide variety of creative pink-inspired food and drink.
The appetite for pink soup was equally impressive. Food vendors gathered around White Bridge used more than four tonnes of kefir, helping prepare almost 6.5 tonnes of šaltibarščiai, enjoyed by residents and visitors throughout the weekend.
One of the festival’s standout attractions, the Best Pink Soup Costume Contest, drew entrants from the UK, Germany, France and Latvia, with awards presented across several categories.
Pink Soup Train
Visitors can continue the pink experience throughout the summer thanks to the Pink Soup Train, which operates daily until 30 August. Linking Vilnius with Poland and the wider European rail network, the specially branded service features a themed carriage decorated in vibrant shades of pink and inspired by Lithuania’s iconic soup. Complete with playful interiors and selfie-friendly features, the carriage offers travellers a fun introduction to the city before they even arrive.
Following its most successful edition so far, Vilnius Pink Soup Fest has firmly established itself as one of Europe’s most original food festivals. Organisers are inviting visitors to save the dates for 28 to 30 May 2027, when the Lithuanian capital will once again celebrate its famous pink soup with an even bigger anniversary edition.
When Is the Pink Soup Fest?
In 2027, it will be on 28-30 May.
Where Is the Festival?
Vast quantities of Lithuanian pink soup will be consumed in Tymo market and all over Vilnius, Lithuania.
Other Festivals in Vilnius
The Lithuanian capital has a packed festival oi events including the Vilnius Christmas Market and Vilnius Beer Festival (VAF).
Things To Do in Vilnius
From visiting the town hall, bastion, town hall or Trakai Castle, there is so much to do in the capital of Lithuania which turned 700 in 2023. For more inspiration visit Go Vilnius.
Accommodation in Vilnius
To find the best accommodation make sure you book well in advance.
For More Information
Visit: Pink Soup Fest | Go Vilnius
Main image: Pink Soup Fest. Photos by Olga Posaskova