523rd birthday of Panevėžys – is a celebration of the city as it is today – alive, creating and full of people.
11-13 September Panevėžys will become a place for music, culture, meetings and time together for three days. Concerts, artistic performances, activities for families, young people and visitors will take place in the city’s spaces.
This year’s theme is “Panevėžys 523. Like us!”– invites you to celebrate the city through its people, their stories, their daily lives and what connects us.
This is an invitation to discover Panevėžys—a city that is approachable, unique, and open. The festival’s events will take place at Laisvės Square, Senvagė, Respublikos Street, and other locations throughout the city. The program includes live music concerts, contemporary art projects, educational and sports events, and various initiatives for visitors of all ages.
Panevėžys birthday – It’s not just a programme of events. It is a time when the city fills with life and different people, stories and experiences merge into one common celebration.
September 11 (Friday)
FREEDOM SQUARE AREA
Freedom Ave.
11 a.m. Photo wall and installation at the “Menas” Theater. On display September 11–13
3:30–4:30 p.m. Music project “Skambantys balkonai”
3:30–4:30 p.m. Dance performance “Kol mes čia” ( “Šokio ir gimnastikos Academia”)
“Gallery XX”
5:00 p.m. Opening of painter Tomas Rudokas’s exhibition “RRR—Revision, Reconstruction, Representation”
Next to City Hall
7:20–8:30 p.m. “523 Rhythm: Panevėžys Runs with a DJ” – race finish, DJ disco, and foam show
FREEDOM SQUARE STAGE
3:30–6:00 p.m. 360° rotating video platform
6:40 p.m. Running “523 Rhythm: Panevėžys Runs with a DJ” Start
6:45 p.m. The band “Laikas”
7:10 p.m. Free Finga
8:20 p.m. Furytto
9:30 p.m. OG Version
10:40 p.m. DJ: SIMO | Simona Burbaitė
SENVAGĖ SPACE
Senvagė Island
1:00–7:00 p.m. Technology Space and “Tomorrow Begins Here” Expedition
The Nevėžis River
2:00–8:00 p.m. Sightseeing tour on the Nevėžis River. Tickets can be purchased on site
Senvagė
3:30–6:40 p.m. Live Art Trail “The Art of Being Yourself”
3:30 p.m. Swing Alley “Easily. Just Like Us”
4:00–7:00 p.m. “Senvagė Sails” ( Panevėžys Yacht Club)
Senvagė Amphitheater
4:30–6:40 p.m. “Panevėžys Goes Wild × Panevėžys Racers”
4:30–5:10 p.m. Audru
5:10–6:40 p.m. Soultropics
FAIRGROUNDS
Urbšio, Respublikos, Elektros, P. Puzino, and Kranto Streets; access to the Panevėžys Cultural Center
12:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m. Holiday fair. Greeting by the female drum ensemble “Šokio mūzos”
MARKET SQUARE (J. Urbšio St.)
12:30 p.m. Pasvalys School Music Ensemble “Trys Keturi Band”
1:10 p.m. Children’s and Youth Folk Art Concert “Let’s Weave a Colorful Ribbon”
CHILDREN’S AREA
Outdoor area of the Panevėžys Cultural Center
12:00 p.m.–11:30 p.m. Activities for children ( trampolines, carousels, games)
3:00 p.m. Concert for children and youth
ART SPACE
G. Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library
9 a.m.–7 p.m. Exhibition “Journey of Hidden Sounds”
Regional History Museum (23 Vasario 16-osios St.)
10 a.m.–6 p.m. Exhibition “From Lead Type to Pixels: The History of Periodicals in Panevėžys” and the exhibition “Dialogues of the Ages,” “Stay, Emigrate, Return?”
12:00 p.m. Guided tour of the museum. Advance registration by phone at 0 45 59 61 81; limited number of participants
2:00 p.m. Guided tour: “Butterflies of the World.” Advance registration by phone at 0 45 59 61 81; limited number of participants
21 Kranto St.
2:00 p.m.–6 p.m. EExhibition “The Nobles of Upytė”
Small Hall of the Panevėžys Cultural Center
3:00 p.m. Opening of the exhibition “Panevėžys: Brushstrokes, Layers, Inclusions” by watercolor artist Eugenijus Nalevaika
“Pragiedruliai” Creativity Center (Skaistakalnis Park)
5:00 p.m. G. Büchner’s play “Leon and Lena” ( directed by D. Kairytė)
8:00 p.m. Jausmė
9:00 p.m. Monikaze
SPORTS AREA
Track and Field Arena
10 a.m.–7 p.m. 36th International Weightlifting Tournament
“Panevėžys” Soccer Academy Stadium
5:00–8:00 p.m. Boccia game
8 p.m.–2 a.m. Nighttime soccer tournament
September 12 (Saturday)
FREEDOM SQUARE AREA
At City Hall
12:00 p.m. Formal flag-raising ceremony ( sign language interpreters available)
Laisvės Ave.
1:00–4:00 p.m. Active City: a youth space with VR and interactive activities, “I Am a Book Hero,” “The Puzzle Box,” “Time Detectives: The Case of Panevėžys’ Secrets,” “Walk Through Panevėžys,” creative workshops by the “Kuria Vaikai” studio, “Read with Vaikystės sodelis,” “Career Workshops,” “The Path to Yourself,” “Would You Recognize Human Trafficking?,” “We Know: Everyone Can Do Something,” interactive sessions by PRC “RoboLabas” and the STEAM Center, “Europe Direct,” the educational workshop “Patterns of Life,” “Spikeball Lithuania,” and opportunities to learn about organizations and communities: the “Dailusis ornamentas” day activity center, “Uncommon LT,” the “Nauja viltis” Foundation, the Center for the Integration of People with Disabilities and the “Pantautodailė” Association, as well as public institutions “Senolių atjauta” and the Comprehensive Education Center, the Šaltiniečiai community, and others.
1:00–2:00 p.m. “The Great Tango Festival” (Eduardo Gimenez and the “4Tango” ensemble)
1:00–4:00 p.m. Performance “To Be or Not to Be” ( artist Monika Dirsytė)
1:00–4:00 p.m. “Kalnapilio” Non-Alcoholic Refreshment Stop
2:30 p.m. One-man show “Myriop” (written, directed, and performed by A. Špilevojus)
3:00–4:00 p.m. The band “StereoDream”
5:40 p.m. Greetings to the city from the “Iron X MC” motorcycle club
FREEDOM SQUARE STAGE
1:00–4:00 p.m. 360° rotating video platform
5:45–7:00 p.m. Introduction of the participants in the festive parade
7:00 p.m. Greeting from the Mayor of Panevėžys
7:10 p.m. The band “Dagamba”
8:10 p.m. Presentation of the Panevėžys basketball team “Lietkabelis”
8:30 p.m. The band “Lemon Joy”
9:40 p.m. Aistė
10:40 p.m. Kastytis Kerbedis
12:00 a.m. A surprise for the 523rd anniversary in Senvagė
SENVAGĖ SPACE
Senvagė
1212:30 p.m. Workshop “The Path of Watercolor” led by watercolor artist Eugenijus Nalevaika
1 2 .30 am Swing alley “Easy. Like us”
13:00–16:00 “Senvagės burės” (Panevėžys Yacht Club)
A surprise for the 523rd birthday at 24:00
Senvagė Island
1:00–6:00 p.m. Family Technology Expedition “Tomorrow Begins Here”
Senvagė Amphitheater
1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. M. K. Čiurlionis. Dance performance “The Sea” ( Kaunas Dance Theater “Aura,” directed by B. Letukaitė)
2:00 p.m. Contemporary dance performance “Another World”—chamber version (Baltic Ballet Theater, directed and choreographed by M. S. Šimulynaitė)
Nevėžis River
1:00–8:00 p.m. Sightseeing cruise on the Nevėžis River. Tickets available on site
At the Alexander Monument
1:00–4:00 p.m. Panevėžys City Hall grounds
FESTIVE PARADE
5:00–7:00 p.m. Nemuno St., Taikos Ave., Stoties St., A. Jakšto St., Smėlynės St., Elektros St., and Vasario 16-osios St.
FAIRGROUNDS
Urbšio, Respublikos, Elektros, P. Puzino, and Kranto Streets; near the Panevėžys Cultural Center
10 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Holiday Market
MARKET SQUARE (J. Urbšio St.)
12:30 p.m. Concert by folk art ensembles, “Our Land”
4:00 p.m. The band “Rondo”
CHILDREN’S AREA
Outdoor area of the Panevėžys Cultural Center
10 a.m.–11 p.m. Activities for children ( trampolines, carousels, games)
12:30 p.m. Performance of J. Kazakaitis’s “Three Bears” (directed by A. Markuckis, Puppet Carriage Theater)
1:10 p.m. Theatrical performance “Happiness in a Jar” (directed by J. Barolienė, “Jaunėliai” Theater of Rožynas Lower Secondary School)
1:30 p.m. Play “From the Little Things in Life” ( directed by J. Pupkienė, “Mes” Theater Studio of the Troškūnai Branch of the Anykščiai Cultural Center)
2:10 p.m. Wordless mini-play “I’m Different” ( directed by D. Šumskienė, “Paralelė” Theater Studio of the Panevėžys Student Center)
2:30 p.m. Play “Coliukė” ( directed by A. Palionienė, Ramygala Community Theater “Ąžuolynė”)
3:20 p.m. The play “Two Little Bears” ( directed by D. Armanavičius, Kaunas Puppet Theater “Nykštukas”)
ART SPACE
G. Petkevičaitė-Bitė Public Library
9 a.m.–4 p.m. Exhibition “Journey of Hidden Sounds”
1 p.m. Concert by the international ensemble “Trio Kagura”
Regional History Museum (23 Vasario 16-osios St.)
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Exhibition “From Lead Letters to Pixels: The History of Periodicals in Panevėžys” and the exhibition “Dialogues of the Ages,” “Stay, Emigrate, Return?”
12:00 p.m. Guided tour of the museum. Advance registration required by phone at 0 45 59 61 81; limited number of participants
2:00 p.m. Guided tour: “Butterflies of the World.” Advance registration required by phone at 0 45 59 61 81; limited number of participants
21 Kranto St.
11 a.m.–4 p.m. EExhibition “The Nobility of Upytė”
Photo Gallery (11 Vasario 16-osios St.)
11 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Exhibition viewing
2:00 p.m. Opening of the Panevėžys Photographers’ Society exhibition “Panevėžys as Lithuania”
Courtyard of the Panevėžys Narrow-Gauge Railroad Depot (23 Geležinkelio St.)
12:00 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Interwar Farmers’ FAIR with a theatrical performance
Panevėžys City Art Gallery ( 3 Respublikos St.)
12:00–3:00 p.m. Permanent exhibition, educational games
12:00, 12:40, 1:20, 2:00, and 2:40 p.m. Guided tours of the ceramics collection storage facility. Advance registration via email at [email protected]
At the “Stasys Museum”
12:30 p.m. The 22nd National Short Film Festival “ME + CITY = CINEMA 2026”
Old Panevėžys Bus Station (Savanorių St.)
1:00–4:00 p.m. Exhibition of weapons and military equipment from the King Mindaugas Hussar Battalion
1:00–4:00 p.m. Educational program by the State Fire and Rescue Service
Parking lot next to the Employment Service (13 Savanorių St.)
131:00–4:00 p.m. Educational program by the 5th Riflemen Regiment of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union (LŠS) “
” 1:00–4:00 p.m. Preventive and educational activities by the Lithuanian Red Cross; blood drive organized by the National Blood Center
SPORTS AREA
Track and Field Arena
8 a.m. “First Fight” International Judo Festival
10 a.m.–6 p.m. 36th International Weightlifting Tournament
12-1 Elektronikos St.
10 a.m.–8 p.m. “Panevėžys City Open” Badminton Tournament – Stage 1
Velžys Skate Park (15 Žemdirbių St., Velžys)
12 p.m.–5 p.m. Skateboarding Competition “Velžys Skate Jam ’26”
September 13 (Sunday)
SENVAGĖ SPACE
Senvagė
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Swing Alley “Easy. Just Like Us”
Nevėžis River
12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Scenic boat tour on the Nevėžis River. Tickets available on site
FAIRGROUNDS
Urbšio, Respublikos, Elektros, P. Puzino, and Kranto Streets, near the Panevėžys Cultural Center
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Festive fair
MARKET SQUARE (J. Urbšio St.)
12:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. An Afternoon of Music
CHILDREN’S AREA
Outdoor area of the Panevėžys Cultural Center
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Activities for children (trampolines, carousels, games)
ART SPACE
Christ the King Cathedral
10:30 a.m. Holy Mass for the city and its people
Local History Museum (23 Vasario 16-osios St.)
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Exhibition “Dialogues of the Ages”
Photo Gallery (16 February Street 11)
11 a.m.–5 p.m. Exhibition viewing
Panevėžys City Art Gallery (3 Respublikos St.)
12:00–3:00 p.m. Permanent exhibition, educational games
12:00, 12:40, 1:20, 2:00, and 2:40 p.m. Guided tours of the ceramics collection storage facility. Advance registration via email at [email protected]
SPORTS AREA
5 Paliūniškio St.
9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Stage 5 of the Lithuanian Auto Slalom Championship: Competing for the “Mero” and UAB “Auresa” Cups
Laisvės Ave.
11–12:00 p.m. Presentation of the Panevėžys City Weightlifting Museum
11–2:00 p.m. Exhibition training sessions by the Panevėžys boxing club “Olimpietis”
12:00–16:00 Demonstration weightlifting competition
12:00–15:30 “Panevėžys” Soccer Academy’s “Grow Up with Soccer” event
1:00 p.m. Simultaneous chess exhibition with Ignas Jasas, the 2026 Panevėžys City Champion
“Nevėžis” Sports Complex (11 Taikos Ave.)
11–6:00 p.m. Girls’ Volleyball Tournament
Next to City Hall
12:00 p.m. “European Cup 2026” International Strongman Competition
One of the city’s most notable birthday traditions is the festive parade, which brings together city institutions, organizations, businesses, communities, and everyone who helps shape Panevėžys through their work, ideas, and daily actions.
This year, we invite you to be festive, creative, and authentic. Don’t try to be like everyone else—show who you really are. Let the parade showcase the identity, values, activities, people, and stories of your organization, institution, or community.
Dress in a way that best reflects who you are—through colors, props, creative ideas, symbols, or a unifying theme. The most important thing is that the parade showcases the true character of your community.
We invite you to be part of this wonderful tradition and join us in celebrating the 523rd anniversary of the city of Panevėžys!
Children and young people are part of our city, and the city's birthday is their celebration too. We want to make sure that this city's young people are visible at the festival.
Children and young people are invited to take part in a concert / theatre afternoon and share their talents: song, dance, music, poetry, theatre miniatures or other artistic expression. Soloists, duets, ensembles of all types and genres are welcome.
🎉 Children and youth concert on 11 September, 15-19.
🎉 12 September, 13-16:00 Children's and young people's theatre afternoon.
During the 523rd birthday celebrations of Panevėžys, a traditional festive fair will be held in the city centre, attracting a large number of visitors from Panevėžys and other Lithuanian cities.
We invite artisans, craftsmen, folk artists, farmers, culinary heritage promoters, creators, traders and small businesses to participate. This is a great opportunity to showcase your products, produce or activities during one of the city's biggest festivals.
The fair will take place in the main spaces of the city, alongside concerts, events and other activities to celebrate the city's birthday, so that the attention of participants and visitors will be focused throughout the weekend.
Be part of the city's celebration - visible where people, music and the city meet.
Get in touch to discuss partnership opportunities.
