Meet us on the shortest night of the year!
When the fire is blazing, the herbs are talking and the water is keeping secrets, this is where the real magic of summer is born. It’s a time when you want to stop, be in nature and just enjoy this special time.
The Midsummer Festival is more than an event. It is an evening where music, old traditions and simple, cosy moments – talking, laughing, being together – come together.
Concerts, traditional ceremonies, education, games and activities for the whole family. You can weave wreaths, take part in ceremonies, take part in activities or just sit back, listen to the music and enjoy the shortest night to your own beat.
This open-air celebration is for everyone, whether you’re looking for peace and quiet or a livelier evening. Come with your family, friends or just on your own – there’s room for everyone.
The shortest night for the longest summer memories.
23 JUNE, SKAISTAKALNIS PARK
12 pm. Folk art and traders’ fair, entertainment for children
12-17.
Interactive games, “On the Hook” band, discussion tent, inspiring presentations on smart villages and community businesses, textile workshops, handmade cosmetics, souvenirs for active participants (NGO “Pažangūs sprendimai”)
5:00 p.m. Old Crafts and Herbs Courtyard, educational activities.
Pottery with artist Nomeda Marčėnaitė, “The Art of Woodcarving” (Virginijus Vilmantas Varanavičius), “The Art of Blacksmithing” (Saulius Kronis), “Ancient Board Games” (Pasvalys Regional Museum), creative workshop “Light from the Meadows” (Eglė Račkauskienė), “Secrets of Herbs” with Adele Karaliūnaitė, “Sviestmušio Courtyard” (Ratkevičius Dairy Farm), “Secrets of the Stones” and “The Lithuanian Linen Bird” (Panevėžys Elena Mezginaitė Public Library), “Midsummer Discovery Meadow” (Panevėžys Cultural Center), children’s playground (Panevėžys Regional Museum), and others.
5 pm. Puppet Carriage Theatre’s performance based on the fairy tale “The Three Bears” by J. Kazakaitis (directed by A. Markuckis)
At the Pragiedruliai Creativity Centre
5 pm. Documentary “Zitai” (dir. Vytautas V. Landsbergis, Lithuania, 2026, V)
6 pm. A theatrical programme of ceremonies.
Panevėžys Culture Centre’s collectives: folklore ensemble “Pulkelis” (leader A. Mulevičius), children and youth folk dance ensemble “Grandinėlė” (leader Z. Rimkuvienė and Aurelija Sakalauskaitė), senior folk dance group “Miestelėnai” (leader J. Nagrockis), senior folk dance group “Verdenė” (leader V. Murauskas), senior folk dance group “Gija” (leader D. Venslovienė), senior folk dance ensemble “Linas” (leader Z. Rimkuvienė), senior folk dance ensemble “Sidabra” and women’s dance group “Saulėgrąžos” (leader K. Nainienė), mixed choir “Čiūto” and vocal ensemble “Smiltelė” (leader D. D. Gaspariūnienė), folk music band “Nevėžis” (leader V. Rutkauskas) and the folk dance group of Panevėžys 5th gymnasium (leader J. Nagrockis), the kanklinin’ ensemble “Ašarėlė” (leader R. Mureikienė)
7 pm. Folk music band “Nevėžis”
7.15 pm Greetings from the Rulers
8 pm. Group “Sutartronica”
9 pm. Folklore group “Svirtis”
SUNFLOWER PLANTING CEREMONY. FIRE CEREMONY
22 hrs. Group “Saulės kliošas”
Hosts: ethnologist Vitalija Vasiliauskaitė and actor Laimutis Sėdžius
The event will be filmed and photographed
Let's bring the smell of summer from meadows, gardens and our own backyards - herbs, flowers and green life. Let us weave wreaths like a solar circle - for light, for togetherness and the miracle of Midsummer.
On 23 June we invite you to bring your wreaths, bouquets and flower arrangements to the Midsummer Festival in Skaistakalnis Park. From all the flowers, wreaths and herbs brought in, we will create together the "Sun Circle" - a living symbol of Midsummer, filled with the beauty of nature and your own creativity. Each wreath, bouquet or arrangement brought in will become a part of the common work.
We welcome everyone - communities, organisations, institutions, collectives, families and individual creators. Each wreath, bouquet or arrangement brought in will become part of the overall work.
Festival organiser
El. Mail.:
Tel. No.:
We invite folk artists, craftsmen, folk and culinary heritage promoters, farmers and other creators to take part in the festive fair. This is a great opportunity to showcase your wares, products or produce and meet visitors at the celebration of the shortest night of the year. Please note that the trade takes place in the white-coloured tents.
We invite you to join in the celebration of Pentecost and become part of the event. Together, let's create a cosy summer celebration filled with music, traditions and lively encounters. Let's get in touch!
