Kaziuko mugė in Vilnius

• Occasion: Kaziuko mugė is a traditional market and festival in honour of Saint Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania.
• History: Go Vilnius traces the market’s history back to 1604; the organisers place its origins in the 17th century.
• Time of year: The market traditionally takes place in early March. The specific weekend is announced anew each year.
• Crafts: Popular offerings include woodwork, textiles, ceramics, jewellery and other handmade items.
• Verbos: These colourful Lithuanian ornamental arrangements are made from dried flowers and grasses, herbs and willow twigs.
• Market food: Typical sweet treats to take home include Kaziuko širdelės, decorated gingerbread hearts, and ring-shaped riestainiai.
• Planning your visit: The programme, market area, transport and access points may change from year to year; check the latest information from the organisers and the city.

Kaziuko mugė, often called the Kaziukas Fair or St Casimir’s Fair in English, is an annual crafts and spring market in Vilnius. It is associated with Saint Casimir, the patron saint of Lithuania. Go Vilnius dates the tradition to 1604, while the organisers describe its origins more broadly as a religious festival in the 17th century. Over the centuries, it developed into a market bringing together handicrafts, regional produce and cultural performances.

Early March is the festival’s traditional time, but it does not take place on a fixed date every year. The days, event locations and programme are announced for each edition. Plan your trip using the latest announcement, rather than relying on an old calendar date or a route from a previous year.

It’s worth exploring the market even if you’re not planning to shop. At the stalls, visitors will find carved wood, woven textiles, ceramics, jewellery and handmade household goods, among other things. Seeing the materials and how items are made in person can make them easier to appreciate. Where demonstrations are offered, you can watch the process and ask the craftspeople about the techniques they use.

The distinctive verbos are especially characteristic: intricate, colourful arrangements of dried plants, grasses and willow twigs. They are a distinctive part of Lithuanian folk art and more than just an ordinary bouquet. As their appearance varies according to the materials and how they are assembled, comparing items at several stalls offers a good sense of the variety of craftsmanship. If you’d like to take one home, ask how to care for it and transport it safely before buying.

What’s on offer may vary from year to year. Check the current event listings to see whether special themed areas, demonstrations or family activities have been announced for the next market. Treat any advertised demonstrations as part of that year’s programme, not as a daily offering guaranteed throughout the event.

The fair combines crafts with food and drink. Well-known sweet treats to take home include decorated Kaziuko širdelės, or gingerbread hearts, and ring-shaped pastries called riestainiai. Market stalls and food areas may also offer savoury dishes, cheese, honey, bread or smoked products. The selection depends on the vendors taking part and the particular edition.

If you’re buying food, ask about ingredients, allergens and storage as needed. For a longer journey home, shelf-stable products are usually a better choice than food that needs to be refrigerated. Ask the vendor how a product should be transported. That way, you can choose a food souvenir without having to guess how to handle it on the way.

The market is one of the city’s major events, but its exact route and the locations used may change each year. Previous editions have spread across central streets and squares; for your next visit, only the current map is authoritative. Check which days the stalls are open, where the entrances are and whether there are additional rules for stages or special events.

Busy streets can take more time to get around than on an ordinary city visit. Wear comfortable shoes, agree on a meeting point with your travel companions and keep important documents and valuables secure. If you have limited mobility, are travelling with a pushchair or are visiting with young children, check the latest map in advance for accessible routes, possible road closures and places to rest. These details can differ with each edition.

Plan your journey around the confirmed dates and your accommodation. Check your flight, baggage and onward travel together; arriving later may mean you need a different connection to your hotel. The guide to flights to Lithuania can help you compare airports. For practical information on getting to the capital, see Vilnius Airport.

Vilnius has plenty to see before or after the market. The guide to Vilnius can help you plan your city visit, while other things to see in Vilnius offer more ideas for your itinerary. If you’re interested in religious architecture, find out about Vilnius’s places of worship in advance or plan a visit to the Gates of Dawn.

If you have more time in the city, choose a museum to suit your interests and book accommodation with convenient access to the market and other places you plan to visit. Here’s an introduction to museums in Lithuania and hotels in Vilnius. For events in other seasons and regions, see the overview of festivals and events in Lithuania.

When does Kaziuko mugė take place?

The market traditionally takes place in early March. The exact weekend, map and programme are set anew for each edition, so check the latest information from the organisers and the City of Vilnius.

What does Kaziuko mugė mean?

The Lithuanian name refers to the Kaziukas Market or Kaziukas Fair. The festival is dedicated to Saint Casimir and today brings together crafts, food and cultural activities.

What can I buy at the market?

Popular items include handmade woodwork, textiles, ceramics and jewellery. The colourful verbos, Kaziuko širdelės and riestainiai are also typical treats to take home; the specific range of goods varies.

Is Kaziuko mugė just a flower market?

No. Verbos are a well-known symbol of the market, but the fair also features other handicrafts, regional food and a cultural programme. The demonstrations and stage events on offer depend on the particular edition.

Where is the market held in Vilnius?

Previous editions have used central streets and squares in Vilnius. The area changes, so check the current map before your visit and use it to plan your journey, entrances and route around any possible closures.