Morė (winter effigy) burning
A bonfire spectacle with fireworks; participants cheer as the effigy burns, finalizing the festivity
Shrovetide Carnival (Vilnius)
Užgavėnės Vilniuje
Vilnius, Lithuania
Feb 17, 2026ExpectedSource
Each year before Lent, the city of Vilnius celebrates Užgavėnės, the Lithuanian Mardi Gras, a noisy carnival to drive out winter. Revelers in grotesque masks parade and feast on pancakes all day, and a straw effigy of winter is burned, in an old pagan rite of welcoming spring later folded into the Christian calendar.
Key moments
Carnival procession on Gediminas Avenue
Marchers in masks and costumes parade amid music and dancing, engaging watchers in the festive mood
Battle of Kanapinis and Lašininis
Spectators watch a mock fight, enjoy pancakes and music, and witness the burning of Morė to drive away winter
Around 18:00
Where it happens
Gedimino prospektas
Vilnius, Lithuania
Open in MapsHow to show up well
Plan the timing
Mask or costume
Dress for the setting
Warm clothing
Arrive before peak flow
It’s an open street festival – anyone may join the parade or watch along the route. If you...
Practical notes
Crowds & timing
Crowd level: high.
Tickets
Free events are available.
Reviewed mediaMAJOR COMMUNITY & FOLK LIFE
Shrovetide Carnival (Vilnius)
Užgavėnės Vilniuje
Vilnius, Lithuania
Each year before Lent, the city of Vilnius celebrates Užgavėnės, the Lithuanian Mardi Gras, a noisy carnival to drive out winter. Revelers in grotesque masks parade and feast on pancakes all day, and a straw effigy of winter is burned, in an old pagan rite of welcoming spring later folded into the Christian calendar.
AnchorCultural anchor
Feb 17, 2026Expected dates
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The story behind it
Užgavėnės has deep roots in Lithuanian pagan tradition of driving out winter and welcoming spring, later integrated into the Christian calendar as Shrovetide. In Vilnius, it serves as a communal way to mark seasonal change with humor and folklore.
Key moments to know
Morė (winter effigy) burning
A bonfire spectacle with fireworks; participants cheer as the effigy burns, finalizing the festivity
Carnival procession on Gediminas Avenue
Marchers in masks and costumes parade amid music and dancing, engaging watchers in the festive mood
Around 18:00Approximate
Battle of Kanapinis and Lašininis
Spectators watch a mock fight, enjoy pancakes and music, and witness the burning of Morė to drive away winter
How to show up well
first-timer tips
Plan the timing
Mask or costume
Dress for the setting
Warm clothing
Arrive before peak flow
It’s an open street festival – anyone may join the parade or watch along the route. If you dress up, be playful...
Essentials at a glance
Date window
Feb 17, 2026
Provisional
City / Area
Vilnius
Aukštaitija
Cost
Free public events available
Good for
Families welcome
Very High visitor welcome
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