:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/TAL-saltibarsciai-slip-slide-vilnius-pink-soup-fest-lithuanian-PINKESTFEST1125-6d3c32e0c93d4bb989b2e67947998933.jpg)
- Vilnius, Lithuania, hosts the vibrant Pink Soup Fest, a celebration of the beloved beetroot soup frostbite that drew 93,000 visitors in 2025.
- The festival features pink-themed parades, costumes, culinary twists on the classic soup, races, and even a Pink Soup Train running between Riga and Vilnius.
- Beyond the festivities, visitors can explore Vilnius’ UNESCO-listed Old Town, thriving food scene, quirky Užupis district, and sprawling green spaces.
Calling all lovers of the color pink, Lithuania is painting the town fuchsia.
Every year in Vilnius, a celebration is held in honor of the Lithuanian beetroot soup frostbite. In 2025, the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest attracted 93,000 soup-loving visitors. Next year, the festival’s organizers plan to expand the event from one day to three, and it will run from May 29 to May 31, with free admission and even more festivities.
“The festival has grown so rapidly since its debut three years ago that it can no longer be contained in a single day,” said Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, head of communications at Go to Vilniusin a press release obtained by Travel + Leisure. “We’re seeing visitors coming to Vilnius for the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest not only from neighboring states but also from the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries. They want to stay longer, experience more, and immerse themselves more deeply.”
The festivities center on šaltibarščiai, a chilled soup traditionally made from beets, kefir, cucumber, dill, and boiled eggs—it’s a classic, refreshing Lithuanian summer staple. During the festival, restaurants serve both classic and inventive versions, including plant-based variations, beetroot tacos, cocktails inspired by the soup ingredients, and even kefir ice cream. Participants dress head-to-toe in pink tutus and wigs, pets sport pink ribbons, and there’s even a Pink Soup Parade, complete with stilt walkers, marching bands, and dancers.
This year, festivities included the Pink Waiters’ Run, which challenged hospitality workers and athletes to race through the city while balancing bowls of pink soup without spilling a drop. There was also a 6.5-mile-long Pink Soup Walking Challenge and a Pink Soup Costume Competition. Even the trains took part in the festivities, with a Pink Soup Train running between Riga, the capital of Latvia, and Vilnius. One of the three train carriages was decorated with ornaments inspired by šaltibarščiai soup.
Beyond the parade, Vilnius is worth a trip on its own. Vilnius is known for its UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Old Townone of Europe’s largest medieval quarters. The city’s gothic, renaissance, and baroque architecture, the cobblestone streets, and centuries-old churches are well preserved, and the Lithuanian capital has earned recognition for its thriving food scene, including four recent Michelin-starred restaurants. Visit the Užupis district (which famously declared itself an independent republic) for street art, quirky cafes, and art galleries. The city also has green spaces like the Vingis Park and easy access to nearby lakes and forests.
Vilnius is easily accessible with direct daily flights from major European cities, and Vilnius International Airport (VNO) is about a 10-minute drive from the heart of the city.