You won’t need rose-colored glasses to enjoy Vilnius on June 1 — the Lithuanian capital will be awash in bright hues when it hosts its annual Pink Soup Fest. Local chefs will serve their take on šaltibarščiai, the iconic chilled beet soup known for its vivid pink color, while the program includes live music, hands-on workshops, and a playful highlight called the “soup de grace,” where participants slide down Bastion Hill in a giant replica soup bowl.
© Go Vilnius
Recognized by Taste Atlas as one of the world’s top cold soups, šaltibarščiai varies from kitchen to kitchen. Typical ingredients include roasted or boiled beets, fresh cucumbers, buttermilk or kefir, chopped dill and hard-boiled eggs. The soup is often paired with hot potatoes or other warm sides to balance the cool, tangy flavors.
“Cold pink soup is the taste of childhood, home, and real summer,” explains Rita Keršulytė-Ryčkova, chef at the family-owned Lokys restaurant in Vilnius’s Old Town. At Lokys the soup is served alongside smoked catfish mousse. “For me, the dish is an irreplaceable summertime treat when you want something refreshing yet filling.”
© Go Vilnius
The festival centers on Tymas Market, situated next to Vilnius’s bohemian quarter. There, visitors can taste pink soups from a range of respected local eateries, including Džiaugsmas and Nineteen 18. In the nearby Senators’ Passage, a historic market housed in a 400-year-old mansion, vendors sell seasonal farm produce, artisanal breads, cheeses and wines—perfect for sourcing ingredients to recreate your own version of šaltibarščiai at home.
Beyond food, Pink Soup Fest aims to be a full-sensory celebration of summer in Vilnius. Street performers, live bands and scheduled culinary demonstrations add atmosphere and opportunity to learn about the soup’s regional traditions and contemporary twists. Workshops teach simple techniques—how to balance beet sweetness with acidity, how to achieve the perfect texture with buttermilk or kefir, and how to assemble classic accompaniments.
Festival organizers encourage visitors to embrace the theme: wearing pink or adding pink accessories is warmly welcomed, and a costume contest awards prizes for the most creative outfits. For travelers planning their visit, comfortable footwear is advisable for exploring Old Town’s cobbled streets and market stalls, and early arrival helps beat the busiest crowds so you can sample more varieties.
Šaltibarščiai’s appeal lies in its versatility. While the traditional recipe remains a beloved staple, contemporary chefs are experimenting with smoked fish, herb-infused oils and plant-based alternatives that preserve the soup’s characteristic color and refreshing quality. Whether you prefer a classic bowl paired with steaming potatoes or a modern reinterpretation garnished with microgreens, Pink Soup Fest offers a chance to taste both heritage and innovation.
Vilnius’s Pink Soup Fest is as much a social gathering as a culinary event: families, foodies and visitors of all ages mingle over bowls of cold soup, discover local farmers and artisans, and enjoy a distinctively Lithuanian summer ritual. If you’re in the city on June 1, it’s an inviting, colorful way to experience local flavors and festivities.