travel from DECEMBER TO MARCH
baltic winter doesn't bite!
With our project OFF SEASON ON we send our warmest hello from Northern Europe!
If a long winter season is a challenge, we are here to prove to you that the Baltic winter time is a great opportunity for open and curious explorers, ready for adventure . We are going to surprise you with experiences that will open your eyes !
Let’s make the most of the Baltic Winter! ❄️❤️☃️
Things to enjoy in baltic winter
Things to note about the baltic winter
Winters happens to be with the snow or without. Unfortunately, we never know of what to expect. Nature is peaceful and less comfortable outdoors but makes to enjoy self inner world, home and good food. The biggest joy is the have the ice and snow which mostly comes and stays in January-February – the coolest time but also quite bright of the sunlight.
Not only white snow makes the days more bright – days get longer and the promise of spring spreads in the air.
Not only white snow makes the days more bright – days get longer and the promise of spring spreads in the air.
TEMPERATURE
NATURE
Low season: time for those, who enjoys the true silence and sites without other visitors.
Best accessibility: we would not recommend some of natural trails and paths especially if it is rainy.
Public transport in more remote touristic areas might be cut off till May.
Happy on Wheels: there might be snowy and icy, mud appears on the wild paths.
Best accessibility: we would not recommend some of natural trails and paths especially if it is rainy.
Public transport in more remote touristic areas might be cut off till May.
Happy on Wheels: there might be snowy and icy, mud appears on the wild paths.
The winter-festive season and many holidays in February-March. Locals get busy preparing for Christmas. It's time of the end of the year with colleagues, family and friends. However Christmas Eve will be spent with the closest.
City: visit theaters, concert halls, galleries; discover good restaurants, have festive coffee with friends and colleges; enjoy Christmas market in December and St Casimir Fair in March; celebrate independence day, go wild in the Carnaval (Uzgavenes).
Countryside: feel traditional sauna heat, roll in the snow, go for a walk in the forest, try cross country skiing, ice fishing, sledge ride and do not forget to get changed for the Carnaval!
City: visit theaters, concert halls, galleries; discover good restaurants, have festive coffee with friends and colleges; enjoy Christmas market in December and St Casimir Fair in March; celebrate independence day, go wild in the Carnaval (Uzgavenes).
Countryside: feel traditional sauna heat, roll in the snow, go for a walk in the forest, try cross country skiing, ice fishing, sledge ride and do not forget to get changed for the Carnaval!
Probably the most important family moment is the Christmas Eve (24th of December). Streets stays empty and silent that night as locals gather at the family table, where many traditional rites and believes are still alive.
During Christmas Day people would choose visiting relatives, friends and neighbors. City center, theaters and concert halls get filled by celebrating families and groups of friends.
The night before Ash Wednesday begins Uzgavėnės (Mardi Gras) when an effigy of winter (usually named Morė) is burnt. Devils, witches, goats, the grim reaper, other joyful and frightening characters appear in the costumes aiming to scare the winter.
During Christmas Day people would choose visiting relatives, friends and neighbors. City center, theaters and concert halls get filled by celebrating families and groups of friends.
The night before Ash Wednesday begins Uzgavėnės (Mardi Gras) when an effigy of winter (usually named Morė) is burnt. Devils, witches, goats, the grim reaper, other joyful and frightening characters appear in the costumes aiming to scare the winter.
MAIN FESTIVALS
DO AS LOCAL
TOURISM & ACCESSIBILITY
Time for the warmest clothes and best boots December, January and February are true winter months. March is expected to be warmer, but it happens to have snow or sleet.
February is the coolest month with the biggest chance of snow.
The last previous winters were generous with snow, thick ice and frost. However with the climate change we do not have the guarantee of the white baltic winters as it used to be.
February is the coolest month with the biggest chance of snow.
The last previous winters were generous with snow, thick ice and frost. However with the climate change we do not have the guarantee of the white baltic winters as it used to be.
Nature is sleeping, however those very few things to taste could be very exciting: edible moss, lichen and tree bark, dried or fresh winter mushrooms, fermented veggies, roots and teas, smoked, dried or baked cottage cheese, meet or fish, cranberries, winter apples, cranberries.
We enjoy the idea of getting food even in the frozen nature, such as cranberries, winter mushrooms or fish (ice-fishing on the lakes or lagoons).
We enjoy the idea of getting food even in the frozen nature, such as cranberries, winter mushrooms or fish (ice-fishing on the lakes or lagoons).
NATURE GIFTS
ADVANTAGES
- lower prices, less tourists
- good time to discover local food
- activities on the snow and ice (January-February)
- active cultural life in the cities
- good time to discover locals' life and habits
- authentic celebrating: Christmas Eve and Mardi Gras
DISADVANTAGES
- less outdoor activities in the nature
- some sites could be closed
- temperature is low (-15–5°C)
- few wild natural goods the nature
- outdoor activities are less comfortable
- the natural daylight last till 6pm-4pm
I want to avoid big crowds and I like to enjoy places alone
I prefer to safe on my travel budget
I am not afraid of low temperature, the snow or sleet.
I want to celebrate Christmas Eve or Carnaval in the authentic way.
I am interested in the city tours combined with indoor activities
I am interested in adventures on snow and frozen lakes.
I am interested in traditional food and crafting workshops
I would like to discover more of natural day to day life of locals
I prefer to safe on my travel budget
I am not afraid of low temperature, the snow or sleet.
I want to celebrate Christmas Eve or Carnaval in the authentic way.
I am interested in the city tours combined with indoor activities
I am interested in adventures on snow and frozen lakes.
I am interested in traditional food and crafting workshops
I would like to discover more of natural day to day life of locals
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Do I match Baltic Winter?
Wild Winter Treasures
- FishYear roundBream, perch, pike-perch, roach, zanthe, Baltic herring,
ice-fishing, during which one catches burbots (Lota lota) and smelts (Osmerus eperlanus). At the Baltic Sea, out of the ships, amateur fishermen catch flatfish, Baltic herring, cod, and halibut. - AmberOctober to marchThe best time for amber fishing comes after the storm. This is when the amber hunter grab the special tool, the waterproof clothes and goes to the sea.
For those who prefer more less extreme hunting we recommend amber picking in the sea weeds washed out on the shores. - CranberrySEPTEMBER to springRich in vitamin E, copper and manganese. Picking it could be a great fun for the adventure hunters, as we need to get to the swamps or other humid places. Cranberry is exceptional for being able to stay fresh throughout the winter kept at home or in the wild nature under the snow,
- Sea buckthornSEPTEMBER to springThe berry is still relatively new in the modern food industry. The most popular products are jams, juices, tea and oil. All manufactured products have health benefits. More and more food supplements and medications include of the berries or their oils, so we can conclude that it is really useful.
Winter Highlights Calendar
DECEMBER
DECEMBER
28th of November – 6th January
28th of November – 6th January
Christmas period (Vilnius, Kaunas other cities)
What can be more beautiful than a Christmas fairy tale along the narrow streets of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda or else where... Enjoy the festive atmosphere and magical mood all month long. See the most impressive Christmas trees in Europe.
Main season in the theaters' and concerts' halls
National Drama Theater, Opera & Ballet House, National Philharmonic and other great performances in the big cities.
10th-30th of December
10th-30th of December
Christopher Christmas Festival, Vilnius
The fascinating world of music invites you to immerse yourself in classical waltzes, dreamy nocturnes, fiery flamencos and energetic rock beats.
24th of December
24th of December
Winter Solstice, Christmas Eve (Kucios)
There is no other moment of the year more important than the eve of the 24th of December. Streets stays empty and silent that night. However only the very closest traditionally gather at the table together. Twelve vegetarian dishes, kuciukai, a plate left for the ancestors', divination, other rites and believes are still alive during the Winter Solstice Night.
25th of December
25th of December
Christmas Day (Kaledos)
After private celebration previous night majority would go visiting relatives, friends and neighbors. City center, theaters and concert halls get filled by celebrating families and groups of friends. The days start going brighter –time to celebrate!
JANUARY
JANUARY
January-February
January-February
Frozen lakes season – the biggest chance of getting on the ice
When it's cold enough time to enjoy the frozen lakes and lagoons. Go for ice skating, cross-country skying, kiting on the ice, ice-fishing, ice yachting, horse sledge ride and other adventures.
23th of January-8th February
23th of January-8th February
"Winter Screens" French cinema festival
A delight for film connoisseurs and Francophiles alike, this cosy and subtle film festival presents an array of film stars and young directors, avant-garde films, and even a programme for children.
25th January
25th January
Vilnius Birthday
Celebrate Vilnius' 701th anniversary present the illuminated Light Festival installations in Vilnius Old Town. Amazing spectacles are guaranteed. No need to bring birthday gifts.
24th–6th of January
24th–6th of January
Vilnius Light Festival
See Vilnius illuminated in new colors after dark. Artists from all over the world create a completely different city view with light installations, beautifully incorporating them into the unique architecture of Vilnius and its public spaces.
FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY
2th of February
2th of February
Sartai Horserace On The Lake
On the first Saturday of February, visit the horserace with very deep traditions, where the teamsters compete on ice! All this at the Dusetos Hippodrome from the water from the nearby lake Sartai.
7th-9th of February
7th-9th of February
Palanga Smelts Festival
Have you heard about the fish that smells like fresh cucumbers? There was a time when fishermen used to lure them into their nets under the ice with songs. These days, the songs are sung on the shore of Palanga.
14th-16th February
14th-16th February
Klaipeda Lights Festival
With the slogan "The brightest event of the city!" the festival clears dusk and winter boredom away and brings thousands of citizens and guests of the city back on the streets of Klaipeda's Old Town.
16th February
16th February
Independence Day
Independence day is celebrated all over the country. However, the biggest event takes place in Vilnius to commemorate the independence the country gained after the World War 1 and maintained till 1939.
16th February
16th February
Uzgavenes – the most popular traditional shrovetide carnival
Real traditions hunters go to Rumsiskes or Plateliai and celebrate Uzgavenes in a countryside as it were hundred years ago. Jump over fires, watch the legendary fight between winter (Lasininis) and spring (Kanapinis), see the burning of a winter symbol called Morė, and enjoy the traditional songs and dances.
MARCH
MARCH
5th-7th of March
5th-7th of March
St Kazimir's Fair (Kaziuko Muge), Vilnius
Celebrate spring! This 400-year-old tradition promises to wake the city up after the sleepy win - ter. Get your Easter palm bouquet, eat special gingerbread, admire the wicker crafts, and attend a few traditional shows.
11th of March
11th of March
Independence Day
Independence day is celebrated all over the country. However, the biggest event takes place in Vilnius to commemorate the independence the country gained in 1990.
19th of March – 2th of April
19th of March – 2th of April
Visit the biggest and most important annual film event in Lithuania. Attend a few premieres, join discussions with filmmakers, and watch some exciting movies. The program is divided into five parts and is easy to follow: Discovery of the Year, Festival Challenges, Masters, Critics' Choice, and Competition of European Debuts.
Birch and maple sap collecting
Main season
