For those who adore the iconic pink cold beet soup that Lithuania is famous for – the Cold Beet Soup Festival will take place in Vilnius on May 31, 2025, for the third year in a row. This year, even more pink-themed activities, costumes, flavors, and beautiful initiatives await:

• Step challenge leading up to the festival (until May 31): Download the Walk15 app and join the Cold Beet Soup Challenge. Collect steps, earn points, and turn them into discounts on various activities and special cold beet soup offers. The top step collectors can also win extra festival prizes.
• “IKI Cold Beet Soup Walkathon”: Dress up in costumes inspired by the pink soup and join the walkathon. The start is at 10 a.m. at Tymo Market. You’ll cover 10.5 km and gather around 15,000 steps. Finishers will be awarded special festival medals.
• Best Cold Beet Soup Costume Contest: Each year, festival-goers get more creative and show up in original, vibrant costumes. Join in – prizes await the most outstanding outfits.
• Tymo Market: Enjoy the now-traditional cold beet soup slide or explore unique soup flavors at the food vendors’ zone.
  
• Relaxation and Sustainability Zone in Kūdrų Park: Bring a blanket and enjoy the harmony of nature and the festival’s vibe.
  
• Concert: Listen to live performances by Lithuanian music artists.
  

Mark your calendar and plan a memorable weekend in the capital!

For the full festival program – click here.  

WHAT DID THE COLD BEET SOUP FIESTA LOOK LIKE IN 2023–2024?

In both years, pink dominated everything – from costumes and entertainment to the soup itself and other dishes. Across different Lithuanian regions, visitors could taste everything from traditional recipes to innovative twists, including versions with meat, ice cream, or cheese. Chefs in Vilnius impressed with unusual combinations, inviting guests to try all kinds of pink dishes and drinks: sushi, dumplings (cepelinai), cocktails, cold beet soup-flavored coffee or ice cream, and numerous soup variations.

• 2023 Festival: Attracted around 7,000 participants. Over 80 businesses joined (restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, museums, galleries, tour and activity organizers). The city was decorated in pink by two artists who displayed their work in the streets of Vilnius. Roughly 2,995 bowls of soup were consumed during the event.
• 2024 Festival: Drew the attention of 42,000 people. The highlight was a 362-meter-long table at Tymo Market, where 1,200 guests gathered to enjoy soup and attempt to set records for the longest cold beet soup table and the largest group eating pink cold soup simultaneously.

“I look forward to this festival every year. I’m a huge fan of cold beet soup and could eat it every day, regardless of the season. Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend the first year, but in 2024 I made sure not to miss it. I still remember the amazing atmosphere, the great mood of all the participants, and their pink outfits. What stood out the most were the cold beet soup cocktails, kimchi-infused soup, and all the fun merchandise and photo spots,” – says our colleague Greta.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT COLD BEET SOUP

Cold beet soup is loved not only by Lithuanians – the world knows about this pink delight:

• In 2024, food-focused website TasteAtlas.com included Lithuanian cold beet soup in their list of the 17 best cold soups in the world. The site promotes local foods, encourages pride in traditional dishes, and sparks curiosity about new flavors.
• At EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan, visitors from around the world will be able to taste dishes from 70 countries at the “Kura Sushi” restaurant – including Lithuanian cold beet soup.

If you want to see Vilnius Pink Soup Fest as your last minute city break travel or maybe you want to visit Pink Soup Fest next summer in 2026, Estravel will gladly help plan your day, weekend, or longer trip around the capital – whether you’re a solo traveler, a corporate team, a group of friends, or a family. This is an amazing opportunity to try Lithuanian Cuisine, authentic dishes for those who are looking for gastro experiences. 

We invite you to discover authentic Baltic gastronomy all year round and not only this May – from Lithuania’s beloved pink cold soup, potato dumplings to smoked delicacies, to Latvia’s hearty rye bread creations and Estonia’s innovative Nordic cuisine. Each season brings new flavors, regional traditions, and memorable culinary moments.

Whether you’re a food enthusiast, a culture lover, or looking for an original incentive trip – let us craft your gastronomic journey through Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. From vibrant food markets and tasting tours to chef-led dinners and seasonal festivals – the Baltics are a hidden gem for every gourmet traveler.

Let’s plan your next flavorful adventure together. Contact Estravel – your Baltic travel experts.