Vilnius lights up for Christmas

VILNIUS - The Christmas holiday season is almost here and people are starting to prepare for it and to find the perfect place to enjoy the season.
Lithuania also actively prepares for the coming winter tourism season 2013-2014, with festivities starting already at the end of November.

First of all, lighting up the Christmas tree and the festive city, opening of the skating rink in Town Hall Square will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30. The main Vilnius Christmas tree, which becomes the Christmas tree for all Lithuania, is going to get lit up in Cathedral Square. The event of lighting up the tree will be followed by an impressive audiovisual show “Sounds of the Heaven.” At the same time the city streets, Vilnius’ Christmas tree in the Town Hall Square and the festive skating rink will be lit up by festive decorations.

Ambassadors’ charity fair will also open doors at the Town Hall and its square on Nov. 30.
Vilnius’ Town Hall is going to host the traditional international charity fair, in which one can get pieces of handiwork, created by the wives of the ambassadors of foreign countries residing in Lithuania, embassy employees, representatives of public organizations, as well as Christmas decorations, sweets and souvenirs.

The Christmas Train will start serving residents and guests of the city starting from Dec. 1 until Jan. 7. the Christmas Train will start from Town Hall square and, after making a circle by going along Pilies St., Gediminas avenue and passing by the Parliament Building, it will come back to Town Hall square by taking the same route. On the way passengers will be able to get off at the chosen stops.

The three-dimensional animated fairytale on the wall of the Cathedral titled “Christmas miracle” will be launched at Cathedral Square on Dec. 25 – 30. Christmas 3D projection returns back on the side facade of the Cathedral.
The huge wall of this building is going to become a screen for a wonderful Christmas fairytale. In the three dimensional Christmas fairytale the fragments of Vilnius’ history are going to intertwine with folklore, Christmas themes and modern motives.

A Christmas village is going to be held at the main Vilnius square – Cathedral square – from Dec. 5 – 29. In the little wooden houses visitors can find various delicacies, works of ceramics, glass, jewelry and Christmas presents.
Lighting of the TV Tower will take place on Dec. 25. Traditionally, on Christmas day the biggest Christmas tree in Lithuania – Vilnius Television Tower, decorated with six kilometers of garlands, is going to be lit up. The start of the lighting is going to be marked by festive fireworks.

New Year fireworks will enlighten the Cathedral Square on Dec. 31, at midnight.
Do not forget to have a good time because both Christmas and New Years come once a year – it’s your possibility to celebrate in your own way. And if the fact that Christmas and New Year are annual events makes these festivals less attractive – think twice!