Quick Event Guide
- Event: Vilnius Pink Soup Fest (Šaltibarščių festivalis)
- Dates: Saturday, May 30 (10:00–20:00) and Sunday, May 31 (10:00–18:00)
- Primary Location: Near the White Bridge (Baltasis tiltas), Vilnius
- Admission: Free to attend; sports activities are open to all ages
- What to Bring: Comfortable footwear for sports; pink attire is highly encouraged
Vilnius is preparing to transform into a sea of vibrant pink as the fourth annual Pink Soup Festival returns this May. The event, which celebrates Lithuania’s iconic cold beet soup (šaltibarščiai), is introducing significant changes this year to accommodate its growing popularity. For the first time, the festival’s main hub will move to the expansive green spaces near the White Bridge (Baltasis tiltas), shifting the focus toward a more active, sports-oriented celebration that includes the global phenomenon of pickleball.
A Celebration of Pink: What to Expect in Vilnius
The Pink Soup Festival has quickly become one of Lithuania’s most recognizable cultural exports, drawing thousands of locals and international tourists. The star of the show is šaltibarščiai—a refreshing, neon-pink soup made from beets, kefir, cucumbers, and dill, traditionally served with hot potatoes. While the soup remains the heart of the festival, the event has evolved into a city-wide carnival of creativity.
This year’s move to the White Bridge area allows for a much larger footprint. The new location will host a dedicated entertainment zone, food trucks serving various interpretations of the pink soup, and a massive slide for those brave enough to plunge into a (symbolic) bowl of pink. The festival aims to unite different generations, blending traditional Lithuanian culinary pride with modern urban lifestyle trends.
Pickleball Takes Center Stage
One of the most anticipated additions to the 2025 program is the introduction of pickleball. Often described as a mix of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, pickleball is currently the fastest-growing sport in the United States and is rapidly gaining a foothold in Lithuania. The festival organizers have partnered with the “Playdate” arena to bring four professional courts and expert coaches to the basketball courts near the Vilnius skate park.
Jurgita Kveselaitė, founder of the Playdate arena, notes that the sport fits the festival’s theme surprisingly well. Beyond the social and inclusive nature of the game, there are playful links to the soup itself—from the “pickle” in the name to the paddle’s resemblance to a kitchen cutting board. The sport is designed to be easy to learn, making it accessible for children, parents, and grandparents to play together on equal footing. During the festival, anyone can join a 30-minute introductory session to learn the basics and start a match.
The Growing Community and Tourism Appeal
The inclusion of sports like pickleball is a strategic move to enhance Vilnius’s appeal as a destination for active tourism. Recent tournaments in the city have already attracted hundreds of players from Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and the United States. By integrating this trending sport into a major cultural festival, Vilnius is positioning itself as a forward-thinking capital that values both tradition and modern community-building.
Participants who try their hand at pickleball during the festival weekend will not only walk away with new skills but also receive a special bonus: two free sessions at the specialized Playdate arena in the Viršuliškės district. In addition to the sports courts, visitors can enjoy temporary tattoo stations, themed photo booths, and various surprises designed to keep the energy high throughout the weekend. Whether you are there for the soup, the sport, or the spectacle, the White Bridge will be the place to experience the unique spirit of Vilnius this May.
Source: ELTA
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