La Vie en Rose: How Vilnius Celebrates Soup with Exuberance

There is Mother’s Day and there is Father’s Day. There is Independence Day and there is Groundhog Day. Every day of the year, something or someone is being celebrated.
And then there is soup.
Not as a snack enjoyed during those celebrations.
No, soup is actually the main character of a debauchery that the city of Vilnius celebrates as a kickstart into summer.
Not just any soup, obviously. It’s Šaltibarščiai, the traditional pink soup that gets its color from its two main ingredients, kefir and red beet. For Lithuanians, it’s not just a refreshing dish, it’s a vibrant symbol of the country’s rich heritage, pride, and most importantly, pink joy in every bowl.
La Vie en Rose!

Ma Vie en Rose

I have to be honest: I’m not a fan of crowds and gatherings like festivals. Even block parties give me the creeps. That’s why I had mixed feelings when Eglė wrote to me enthusiastically: “You’re so lucky: the weekend you come to Vilnius, we’ll celebrate the Pink Soup Festival!”
Lucky? Well, we’ll see about that.

And then it actually became very nice. This is mainly due to the fact that the more extravagant celebrations are concentrated in a park, and the city is otherwise just as busy as usual, except that many people are dressed entirely or partially in pink.

This equalization of the festivities is ideal for people like me: you can do almost unlimited sightseeing and get closer to the Tymo Park if you feel like it.

Another advantage of the Pink Soup Festival is, of course, that the shops and restaurants prepare for it.

Let’s not forget that at the end of the day, the festival is a very successful marketing tool. So there are Šaltibarščiai-themed souvenirs such as pins, magnets, and socks, and the restaurants serve all kinds of variations of this unique dish in addition to the classic.

I was full of envy when I saw people with Šaltibarščiai-flavored chips. But when I wanted to look for the sales stand at Tymo Park, I was so distracted by fun and follies that I totally forgot why I got there in the first place.

So no chips for me. At least not this year. Because I don’t rule out coming to Vilnius again in the future for the Pink Soup Fest. And then I might even put on a Šaltibarščiai hat.

The Soup

Already the name of the soup is quite remarkable: Šaltibarščiai, which you should pronounce something like shul-tee-bar-shay. This traditional Lithuanian cold beet soup, which, by the way, is also quite popular in Poland and the other Baltic countries, is famous for its vibrant pink color and refreshing taste.
No wonder it’s a staple in Lithuanian cuisine!

Šaltibarščiai literally translates to cold borscht, and while it shares roots with other Eastern European beet soups, the Lithuanian version is quite unique.

The soup’s iconic hot pink color comes from the beets mixed with kefir. Depending on the beet quantity and the kefir used, the pink can range from pale rose to neon magenta. Either way, it’s as much a visual treat as it is a culinary one. By the way, if you’re not familiar with Kefir: It’s a fermented milk drink, a bit like buttermilk, that gives the soup its creamy texture and slight tang.

While Šaltibarščiai is obviously served chilled, often even ice cold, it is traditionally accompanied by a side of hot boiled or fried potatoes.

However, Šaltibarščiai is far more than just food. It’s a symbol of Lithuanian summer. Many locals get all dreamy, associating Šaltibarščiai with their childhood and family gatherings.

During Pink Soup Fest in Vilnius, Šaltibarščiai is the star, appearing not only as food, but as inspiration for costumes, activities, and even slides shaped like soup bowls!

The Fest

The Pink Soup Fest is a lively annual celebration honoring the beloved national dish. This festival not only pays homage to a culinary staple, but also marks the beginning of summer in Vilnius.
Therefore, the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest, held every year towards the end of May, transforms the city into a pink wonderland.

Of course, the festival offers numerous activities for families with children, such as a 50-meter-long pink slide. But this is just one of many great play areas.

There are various competitions where crazy records are set, such as the Pink Waiters’ Marathon. In this race, waiters carry bowls of pink soup over a 600-meter course without spilling anything. Honestly, if they spill something, it’s no big deal because the soup is cold.

In a costume competition, the most creative pink outfit is awarded a prize.

Of course, culinary delicacies are the focus of the event. Šaltibarščiai is temporarily used in unique variations such as ice cream, cocktails, and in the chips I craved so much.

In 2025, the Vilnius Pink Soup Fest took place on May 31 and spread across various locations.

The good thing is that you can completely immerse yourself in the craziness if you want to. If not, you can still explore Vilnius largely undisturbed. You just have to expect an unexpected pop of pink every now and then.

The Recipe

This year, the Pink Soup Festival is over. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this Lithuanian staple. Especially in the summer heat, a cold soup can be life-saving. That’s why I wrote down a recipe for the traditional Šaltibarščiai.

I was obviously very lucky to have been in Vilnius when the annual Pink Soup Fest took place. However, Lithuania’s capital is worth a trip any time of the year. You’ll find a comprehensive guide in my post What to See on an Unforgettable Weekend in VILNIUS. Also, I dedicated entire posts to The City’s 15 Most Magnificent Churches, as well as the Best And Most Beautiful Coffee Houses in Vilnius. And finally, there is the unavoidable post on Best Street Art in Vilnius. All of this should make good preparation and an unforgettable stay easy.

Also, I’ll inform you as soon as possible on which date the next Pink Soup Fest will take place.
So make sure to check out the blog from time to time!

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