Vilnius Is Throwing a Whimsical Pink Soup Festival
This three-day celebration of Lithuania’s iconic cold beet soup is turning Vilnius into one of Europe’s most unexpected summer hotspots.
From May 29 to 31, Lithuania’s capital will once again turn shades of fuchsia for its annual Pink Soup Fest, a high-energy, slightly surreal celebration dedicated to šaltibarščiai, the country’s beloved cold beet soup. Equal parts food festival and citywide party, the event has quietly become one of the Baltic region’s most compelling reasons to visit — especially as travellers look beyond the usual Mediterranean circuit.
And yes, everything is pink.
What started as a quirky local celebration has quickly scaled into a major draw. The festival is expanding to three days this year after rapid growth, with attendance jumping from 42,000 visitors in 2024 to 93,000 last year.
That momentum speaks to something bigger than a single dish. Pink Soup Fest now unofficially marks the start of summer in Lithuania, transforming Vilnius into an open-air playground of parades, performances, and playful chaos.
Think foam slides. Think costumed runs. Think marching bands and dancers weaving through streets filled with people carrying bowls of neon-pink soup.
At the centre of it all is the Pink Soup Parade, a procession that leans fully into the absurd, with participants dressed in elaborate pink outfits competing for best costume. Visitors are encouraged to join in, not just watch.
The dish behind the spectacle
For all its theatrics, the festival is rooted in something deeply traditional. Šaltibarščiai — typically made with beetroot, kefir, cucumber, dill, and eggs — dates back centuries and remains a staple of Lithuanian cuisine.
Served cold and vividly pink, it’s both refreshing and visually striking, which helps explain its recent rise beyond Lithuania. The soup has been gaining traction globally, even ranking among the world’s top cold soups, thanks in part to its probiotic-rich kefir base and antioxidant-heavy ingredients.
During the festival, you’ll find it everywhere — from traditional versions to modern reinterpretations — served across restaurants, pop-ups, and street stalls throughout the city.
Sometimes, the best trips are the ones that don’t take themselves too seriously.