Good to know
Good to Know
- The May cultural season (City Birthday, Literature Week, Museum Night) clusters together, making it ideal to plan a Kaunas visit around this period for maximum cultural immersion.
- The Kaunas Culture Fair in September serves as a practical planning tool—many cultural organizations offer advance ticket discounts for the entire upcoming season.
- Most signature annual events are free or have free main programming, with optional paid experiences (dining, premium performances, tours).
- Peak festival season runs from late spring through early autumn (May to September), with lighter programming in winter months beyond Christmas markets.
- Events utilize Old Town squares and cultural centers in central Kaunas; check specific venues when confirmed closer to event dates.
Signature Events
Kaunas City Birthday
- Dates
- May 23-25
- Month
- May
- Admission
- Free admission to main events; food and merchandise available for purchase
- Description
- Weekend-long citywide celebration featuring parades, concerts, pop-up art exhibits, traditional Lithuanian cuisine, heritage tours, family zones, and fireworks celebrating Kaunas' founding and modern identity.
Highlights
- Putvinskis Street Day celebration
- Grand concerts and performances
- Heritage site tours
Kaunas Literature Week
- Dates
- May 6-10
- Month
- May
- Admission
- Ticketed events; specific pricing available through event organizers
- Description
- International festival of writers and books spotlighting inspiring guests, local talent, innovative literary forms, and book signings by foreign and Lithuanian authors across age groups.
Highlights
- Author readings and discussions
- Book signings
- Literary performances
Museum Night (Long Night of Museums)
- Dates
- Variable; typically mid-May
- Month
- May
- Admission
- Most museums offer free or reduced admission during this event
- Description
- City-wide cultural event where Kaunas museums open with extended hours and feature creative attractions, special exhibitions, guided tours, and interactive programs drawing ever-growing crowds.
Highlights
- Extended museum hours (24 hours)
- Special exhibitions and programs
- Interactive experiences
Celebrate the River (ŠVęskime Upę)
- Dates
- May 24
- Month
- May
- Admission
- Free exploration; sailing activities may have separate fees
- Description
- Initiative inviting exploration of the Nemunas and Neris rivers through sailing opportunities and cultural stops along riverbanks, integrating water-based experiences with cultural heritage.
Highlights
- River navigation
- Riverside cultural venues
- Nature and heritage connection
Kaunas Culture Fair
- Dates
- September 5-6
- Month
- September
- Admission
- Free entry; ticket discounts available for upcoming cultural events
- Description
- Annual opening of the cultural season where dozens of Kaunas cultural organizations and initiatives present activities, upcoming events, and projects. Features discussions, performances, and exclusive ticket discounts.
Highlights
- Cultural organization showcases
- Panel discussions on culture
- Performance excerpts
- Themed discussions about cultural trends
Fluxus Festival
- Dates
- September 13
- Month
- September
- Admission
- Variable by specific event
- Description
- Creative festival featuring inspiring activities and events on Parodos Hill, celebrating avant-garde artistic movements and experimental cultural expressions.
Highlights
- Creative installations
- Outdoor performances
- Experimental art presentations
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Kaunas
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.