Lithuania in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Lithuania

-1°C (30°F) High Temp

-6°C (21°F) Low Temp

38mm (1.5 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Christmas markets in Vilnius create magical atmosphere with authentic Baltic winter traditions - mulled wine costs €2-4 and handcrafted ornaments start at €5
Hotel prices drop 40-60% compared to summer months, with luxury properties in Vilnius starting at €80-120/night instead of €200+
Snow transforms Trakai Castle into a fairytale setting - frozen lake allows unique winter photography opportunities impossible other months
Authentic sauna culture peaks in winter - traditional pirtis experiences cost €15-25 and locals consider December the ideal sauna season

Considerations

Daylight limited to 7 hours (sunrise 8:30am, sunset 3:30pm) severely restricts outdoor sightseeing time
Coastal regions like Klaipėda experience bitter winds up to 40 km/h (25 mph) making outdoor activities uncomfortable
Many rural attractions and some museums operate reduced winter hours or close entirely December-February

Best Activities in December

Vilnius Old Town Christmas Market Walking

December transforms Vilnius Vilnius into Lithuania's premier Christmas market. The medieval Bratislava backdrop with snow creates Instagram-worthy scenes impossible other months. Temperatures stay just below freezing, perfect for extended walks without extreme cold. Crowds are minimal compared to Western European markets.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for market access. Self-guided walking tours cost €0-15 via apps. Join organized food tours 2-3 days ahead for €35-45 including tastings. Peak hours are 4-7pm when lights illuminate the market.

Trakai Castle Winter Photography Tours

Frozen Lake Galvė creates a dramatic winter landscape around the 14th-century castle. December snow coverage provides the year's best contrast against red brick walls. Ice thickness allows walking on the lake for unique angles. Clear winter air offers exceptional visibility for photography.

Booking Tip: Castle entry costs €8-12, photography permits €5 extra. Private photography guides typically charge €80-120 for 3-hour sessions. Book transport 1-2 days ahead - it's 28km (17 miles) from Vilnius. Best light occurs 11am-2pm due to low sun angle.

Traditional Pirtis Sauna Experiences

December is peak sauna season when locals embrace this 1000-year tradition. Authentic pirtis (Lithuanian saunas) use birch branches and reach 80-90°C (176-194°F). Post-sauna cold plunges in natural lakes or snow rolling are culturally significant winter rituals impossible in warmer months.

Booking Tip: Public saunas cost €15-25 for 2-3 hours. Private group sessions run €40-60 per person. Book rural pirtis experiences through guesthouses 3-5 days ahead. Sessions typically last 2-3 hours including cooling periods.

Curonian Spit Winter Birdwatching

December brings Arctic bird migrations to this UNESCO site. Sea eagles, rough-legged buzzards, and various duck species concentrate here during winter months. Frozen lagoon creates unique viewing opportunities. Tourist crowds disappear, offering peaceful nature experiences.

Booking Tip: Entry to national park costs €2-5. Guided birdwatching tours run €45-65 for half-day experiences. Book accommodations in Nida 1-2 weeks ahead as many guesthouses close December-March. Bring binoculars - rental costs €10-15/day.

Kaunas Winter Museum Circuits

December's short daylight makes indoor cultural activities essential. Kaunas, the 2022 European Capital of Culture, offers concentrated museum districts perfect for winter exploration. Heated buildings provide warm refuges between outdoor walks. Many museums extend evening hours in December.

Booking Tip: Museum passes cost €12-18 for multiple sites. Most museums offer 20-30% winter discounts. Book devil museum and other unique attractions online to avoid disappointment - some have limited winter capacity. Allow 6-8 hours for complete visits.

Amber Coast Winter Storm Watching

December Baltic storms create dramatic seascapes and wash fresh amber onto beaches. Palanga and Šventoji offer heated observation points and amber hunting opportunities after storms. Winter storms produce the year's best amber finds, with pieces ranging from tiny fragments to palm-sized specimens.

Booking Tip: Beach access is free year-round. Amber identification guides cost €8-12 at visitor centers. Storm watching tours typically cost €25-35 including hot drinks. Check weather forecasts - best amber hunting occurs 24-48 hours after storms.

December Events & Festivals

Early December through January 6th

Vilnius Christmas Market

Lithuania's largest Christmas market fills Vilnius with 60+ wooden stalls selling traditional crafts, amber jewelry, and Lithuanian holiday foods. Features live folk music performances, children's workshops, and authentic medieval atmosphere in the UNESCO Bratislava.

Mid December

Kaunas Christmas Tree Festival

Unique celebration where neighborhoods compete for most creative Christmas tree displays throughout the city. Over 50 decorated trees create a self-guided walking tour. Local communities host warm-up stations with traditional kūčios (Christmas Eve) foods.

December 31st

New Year's Eve at Gediminas Tower

Vilnius hosts outdoor New Year celebration at the medieval tower overlooking the city. Includes fireworks display, traditional Lithuanian folk performances, and heated food stalls. Free event drawing 20,000+ locals and tourists.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated waterproof boots rated to -15°C (5°F) - cobblestone streets in Old Towns become icy and treacherous

Layering system: thermal base layer, wool sweater, waterproof outer shell - indoor heating varies dramatically between buildings

Warm hat covering ears - 40% of body heat lost through head in -6°C (21°F) temperatures with wind chill

Waterproof gloves with touch-screen fingers - essential for photography and phone use in wet snow conditions

Thick wool socks (bring 2-3 pairs) - feet stay wet from melting snow tracked indoors

Portable phone charger - batteries drain 50% faster in sub-zero temperatures

Lip balm and moisturizer - 85% humidity combined with indoor heating causes severe chapping

Small backpack with water-resistant cover - protects electronics and documents from snow flurries

Sunglasses for snow glare - low winter sun reflecting off white surfaces can cause temporary blindness

Compact umbrella - December sees 14 precipitation days, often wet snow rather than dry flakes

Insider Knowledge

Locals eat kūčios (Christmas Eve dinner with 12 meatless dishes) on December 24th - many restaurants offer special kūčios menus for tourists starting December 20th

Public transportation runs limited Sunday schedules December 24-26 and January 1st - download offline maps and taxi apps before arrival

Most Lithuanians speak excellent English but appreciate basic Lithuanian greetings - 'Labas' (hello) and 'Ačiū' (thank you) generate notably warmer responses from service staff

Lithuanian Christmas celebrations peak January 6th (Three Kings Day), not December 25th - some attractions and restaurants have extended closures early January, not just Christmas week

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating cold - many tourists pack for 'European winter' expecting 5-10°C (41-50°F) instead of actual -1 to -6°C (21-30°F) Lithuanian December temperatures

Assuming summer opening hours - major attractions like Hill of Crosses close or reduce hours significantly, some rural sites inaccessible until March due to road conditions

Not booking accommodation early enough - despite low tourist season, many smaller hotels close December-February, concentrating demand into fewer available properties