„Vilniaus dienos“ is a festival about an open, constantly changing city and its people. This year we want to highlight this diversity even more. Therefore, we will offer visitors new events and initiatives that will allow them to experience Vilnius in different city spaces, day and night. We hope that this diversity and new experiences will interest both visitors who return to the festival every year and those who discover it for the first time,” says Paulius Jurgutis, director of the Vilnius Cultural Center organizing the festival.
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Four stages – more music throughout the city
One of the most prominent news this year is the first-ever live music event „Sunkioji terasa“, taking place on September 4–5 at „Vasaros terasa“ (Vilniaus g. 39). Nine Lithuanian rock and metal bands will perform on the alternative and heavy music stage, including „Phrenetix“, „Sisyphean“, „Ūkanose“, „ORB“ and others.
Musical discoveries and well-known performers will also be present on the other three festival stages. At Vincas Kudirka Square, over three days, Angelou, „Galèra“, „SHWR“, „Katarsis“, Lukas Pilkauskas, „Bohemos Tarifas“ and others will perform.
On September 6, it will also be possible to see the traditional Japanese dance „Awa odori“, which has a history of more than 400 years. The „Kikusui-ren“ group from Tokyo will present the lively tradition of Japanese festivals, where dance, shamisen, and taiko drum rhythms merge.
At the renewed Neris riverside stage near the White Bridge, live music, comedy, and electronic music will meet. Performers will include „Hedda Gamma“, „Roe Deers“, „Vaikinai Iš Padorių Šeimų“, „Monikaze“, „dans turbulans“ and others.
For the first time at „Vilniaus dienos“, two „K2 Comedy“ projects will be presented – „Hiparikai: Kriaušiadaužis“ with Markas Žukauskas and Benas Lastauskas, and „Žinau, kad meluoji“, featuring Justinas Jankevičius, Laura Dragūnaitė, and Markas Žukauskas, with Kristoforas Vaidutis hosting the event.
On Sunday, the White Bridge area will be taken over by „Daytime Dances“ – a daytime version of the dance event organized together with the „Minimal Mondays“ team. From noon to 8 p.m., live house music performances and electronic music created by selectors will be heard here.
The main evening concerts will take place on the large Cathedral Square stage. On Friday, „Kamanių šilelis“ (9 p.m.) and Free Finga (10 p.m.) will perform, and on Saturday – Justinas Jarutis (8 p.m.) and Donatas Montvydas (9 p.m.).
One ticket – four Vilnius clubs
This year, „Vilniaus dienos“ will open up to the city’s nightlife culture for the first time. On the night of September 5, „Vilniaus naktys“ will invite visitors to visit four different city clubs – „Anna Mesha. Butas“, „Cornercafé“, „Elastica“ and „Gallery 1986“ – with one ticket costing 10 euros.
From 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., visitors will be able to move freely between clubs, get acquainted with their different musical programs and communities.
Vilnius symbols will light up the night sky
On Friday and Saturday, the sky near the White Bridge will be illuminated by a 15-minute drone show, replacing previous laser performances this year. The drone light spectacle above the city will tell the story of Vilnius – viewers will see city symbols and recognizable views of the capital.
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An international community festival will unite Vilnius residents
On September 5, the international community festival „Vilnius Is My City“ will take place in Bernardinai Garden, inviting Vilnius residents of different cultures to meet and celebrate the capital’s diversity, openness, and togetherness.
During the festival, the „Vilnius Is My City Awards“ will be presented for the first time to Vilnius residents of foreign origin who contribute to city life through their activities. Visitors will also enjoy tastes of world cuisines, activities of foreign communities, the Language Meadow, music and dances, and the event’s symbol will be a communal table inviting sharing of food and stories.
Sports – from conference to „Rytas“ season opening
The 15th Vilnius Sports Festival, taking place from September 4–6, will bring together more than 70 sports clubs and organizations and offer over 100 sports and active leisure activities.
One of the most important news is the first-ever „Healthy Movement Conference: Active Vilnius“ held in Lukiškės Square together with DELFI, where experts, sports professionals, and well-known people will talk about movement, sports, and health.
The festival will also conclude the initiative „Minusas grįžta į kiemą“, which traveled through Vilnius districts all summer, and a mass kayak trip on the Neris River will connect Lukiškės Square and the White Bridge sports field.
On September 6, the „Rytas“ season opening event „Black, White, and Red Vilnius“ will take place in the Lukiškės Prison 2.0 spaces. Last year’s celebration will grow into a full-day festival with music, entertainment, and the returning 3×3 basketball tournament.
Literature, design, and creativity will spread throughout the city
The „Book Square“ program will take place for the first time in three Vilnius locations this year and will invite visitors to nearly 40 events. Visitors will enjoy new book presentations, meetings with publishers and writers, including Viktorija Daujotytė, Neringa Vaitkutė, Ingrida Alonderė, and creators such as Tomas Dirgėla, Aušrinė Tilindė, illustrator Greta Alice, and others will participate in activities for children. Publications dedicated to the history of Vilnius will also attract attention.
The „Style LOCATION“ located on Gediminas Avenue will bring together more than 180 creators – here you can discover designer furniture, jewelry, cosmetics, and other design objects. More than 20 creative workshops will take place at V. Kudirka Square, where visitors can not only observe the creative process but also participate in it.
This is just part of the „Vilniaus dienos“ program taking place from September 4–6, where music, sports, nightlife culture, literature, design, and different city communities will meet this year.
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The full „Vilniaus dienos“ program will be announced soon – www.vilniausdienos.lt .
