For those who adore the iconic pink cold beet soup that Lithuania is famous for – the Cold Beet Soup Festival made its return to Vilnius on May 29–31, 2026, this time for three full days. Now in its fourth year, the festival expanded beyond a single day for the first time, reflecting how it has grown from a quirky local celebration into one of the Baltic region’s most recognisable events. Organizers estimated that more than 100,000 people would attend, and over three metric tons of kefir — a key ingredient in šaltibarščiai — would be consumed across the weekend. Here is what the 2026 edition had in store:

• “Pink Break” festival opening (May 29): The festival kicked off with a symbolic mass lunch — the whole city pausing for a bowl of pink soup at the same time. Long tables were set up across the city, welcoming locals and visitors from around the world.
• First-ever Pink Soup Boat Parade on the Neris River (May 30): Around 50 pink-themed watercraft — including boats, kayaks, and motorboats — made their way through the city in a spectacle of music, costumes, and colour. This was a brand-new highlight, adding an entirely new dimension to the traditional parade. Luxurious Magazine
• Pink Waiters’ Race: Waiters dashed along the Neris riverside from the Green Bridge to the White Bridge, balancing full bowls of pink soup without spilling a drop — a fan favourite and a test of skill and nerve.
• Best Pink Costume Contest: Visitors dressed in their most creative šaltibarščiai-inspired outfits competed for prizes. Think beetroot hats, kefir-white gowns, and dill-frond capes.
• Grand Festival Concert at Town Hall Square (May 30): The main stage came alive with top performers for the weekend’s highlight concert.
• Comedy show – new for 2026 (May 29): For the first time, the opening night featured a stand-up comedy segment alongside the live music programme.
• 10.5 km Pink Walk (May 31): A new highlight for 2026 — a 10.5-kilometre walk weaving through the city’s landmarks, turning exercise into extended revelry.
• Pink Soup Eating Contest “IKI soties” (May 31): Several litres of cold beet soup. Limited time. One challenge.
• International Pink Soup Tasting (May 31): How do Georgians, Mexicans, or Indians living in Vilnius prepare šaltibarščiai? This session offered spontaneous tastings and unexpected interpretations of Lithuania’s iconic dish.

What did the cold beet soup fiesta look like in 2023–2025? 

In all three previous 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-flavoured 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-metre-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.
• 2025 Festival: Attracted 93,000 visitors, including 17,000 international travellers, confirming its status as a major event on the European festival calendar.

Interesting facts about cold beet soup 

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

• Food-focused website TasteAtlas.com gave Lithuanian cold beet soup 2nd place in their list of Top 27 Cold Soups
  in the World. The site promotes local foods, encourages pride in traditional dishes, and sparks curiosity about new flavours.
• At EXPO 2025 in Osaka, Japan, visitors from around the world had the chance to taste dishes from 70 countries at the “Kura Sushi” restaurant — including Lithuanian cold beet soup.

If you want to see Vilnius’s Pink Soup Fest next summer in 2027, or perhaps you want to explore the city at any other time of year, Estravel will gladly help plan your day, weekend, or longer trip around the capital — whether you’re a solo traveller, a corporate team, a group of friends, or a family. This is an amazing opportunity to try Lithuanian cuisine and authentic dishes for those who are looking for gastro experiences.

We invite you to discover authentic Baltic gastronomy all year round — 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 flavours, 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 traveller.

Let’s plan your next flavorful adventure together.