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Bank Holidays in Lithuania 2026: Full Dates Guide

6 min read

Understanding Bank Holidays in Lithuania

In the UK, we refer to public holidays as ‘bank holidays’, a term rooted in the tradition of banks closing on these days. In Lithuania, these are known as ‘šventinės dienos’ or public holidays. They are days when most businesses, schools, and government offices close, providing a welcome break. For 2026, there are 12 official public holidays in Lithuania, some fixed and others movable like Easter.

This guide is tailored for UK audiences, especially with travel between the UK and Lithuania on the rise post-Brexit. Whether you’re planning a trip from London to Vilnius or coordinating business, knowing these dates helps avoid surprises. We’ll list all 2026 dates, highlight long weekends, compare to UK bank holidays, and share practical tips. Note: Lithuania doesn’t substitute all weekend holidays with extra days off, unlike some UK practices.

Full List of Public Holidays in Lithuania 2026

Here’s the complete calendar of Lithuanian public holidays for 2026, including the day of the week for easy planning:

  • 1 January 2026 (Thursday): New Year’s Day (Naujieji metai) – Celebrates the new year with fireworks and family gatherings.
  • 16 February 2026 (Monday): Day of Restoration of the State of Lithuania – Marks the 1918 declaration of independence from Russia.
  • 11 March 2026 (Wednesday): Day of Restoration of Independence of Lithuania – Commemorates the 1990 vote to restore sovereignty from the Soviet Union.
  • 6 April 2026 (Monday): Easter Monday (Velykos antrosios dienos) – Follows Easter Sunday (5 April), a key Christian holiday with egg painting and feasts.
  • 1 May 2026 (Friday): Labour Day (Darbo diena) – International workers’ day, often with parades in Vilnius.
  • 24 June 2026 (Wednesday): St. John’s Day (Rasų / Joninės) – Midsummer festival with bonfires, singing, and wreath-making by lakes.
  • 6 July 2026 (Monday): Day of Statehood (Valstybės diena) – Honours the 1253 coronation of King Mindaugas, Lithuania’s only king.
  • 15 August 2026 (Friday): Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Žolinė) – Harvest festival with flower crowns and church services.
  • 1 November 2026 (Sunday): All Saints’ Day (Visų Šventųjų diena) – Time for visiting cemeteries and lighting candles for the deceased.
  • 25 December 2026 (Friday): Christmas Day (Kūčios ir Kalėdos) – Starts with Christmas Eve supper (Kūčios) on 24th, featuring 12 dishes.
  • 26 December 2026 (Saturday): Second Day of Christmas (Šv. Štefano diena) – Family visits and more feasting.

Note: Good Friday (3 April 2026) is not a public holiday in Lithuania, unlike in the UK. Christmas Eve (24 December) is a shortened working day for many.

Long Weekends and Bridge Days in 2026

Lithuanians love extending holidays into long weekends. Here’s how 2026 shapes up:

  • New Year’s: 1 Jan (Thu) – Take 2 Jan off for a 4-day break (Sat-Mon if extending).
  • February 16: Already a Monday – Perfect 2-day weekend.
  • Easter: 5-6 April (Sun-Mon) – Natural long weekend.
  • Labour Day: 1 May (Fri) – Combine with 2 May (Sat) for a 3-day weekend; many take the bridge.
  • St. John’s Day: 24 June (Wed) – Book 25-26 June off for 5 days (Mon-Fri holiday span).
  • Statehood Day: 6 July (Mon) – Standard long weekend.
  • Assumption: 15 Aug (Fri) – Ideal for a sunny 3-day break.
  • Christmas: 25-26 Dec (Fri-Sat) – Extended if taking 28-31 Dec off, mirroring UK Boxing Day substitutes.

These create prime travel windows – book flights early from airports like Heathrow or Gatwick.

Comparison: Lithuanian Holidays vs UK Bank Holidays 2026

For UK travellers, aligning calendars is key. Lithuania shares some dates with the UK but has unique ones. Using official UK government data (gov.uk), here’s 2026 UK bank holidays:

England, Wales, Northern Ireland:

  • 1 January (Thu): New Year’s Day
  • 3 April (Fri): Good Friday
  • 6 April (Mon): Easter Monday
  • 4 May (Mon): Early May
  • 25 May (Mon): Spring
  • 31 August (Mon): Summer
  • 25 December (Fri): Christmas Day
  • 28 December (Mon): Substitute for Boxing Day (26th Sat)

Scotland additional:

  • 2 January (Fri)
  • 3 August (Mon): Summer
  • 30 November (Mon): St Andrew’s Day

Key overlaps:

  • New Year’s Day (both 1 Jan).
  • Easter Monday (6 Apr, all except Scotland statutory).
  • Christmas (25 Dec; UK has Boxing Day sub on 28 Dec).

Differences:

  • Lithuania has no May Day bank holiday like UK’s Early May (4 May), but Labour Day (1 May) is close.
  • No UK equivalent for Joninės (24 June) or Žolinė (15 Aug).
  • UK Spring (25 May) and Summer (31 Aug) fill summer gaps; Lithuania’s Statehood (6 July) slots in.

If travelling during UK Spring Bank Holiday (25 May), Lithuania is open for business.

Impact on Travel from the UK

Planning a 2026 trip? Lithuanian holidays mean:

  • Transport: Trains and buses run reduced services; Ryanair and Wizz Air flights from UK continue, but book ahead for Easter or Christmas peaks.
  • Attractions: Museums like the Museum of Occupations in Vilnius close; coastal areas buzz during Joninės.
  • Accommodation: Vilnius hotels fill up for Independence Day (March); Trakai Castle popular in summer.
  • Weather tip: April 2026 (Easter) brings spring blooms – ideal for UK escapees avoiding Good Friday closures at home.

Post-Brexit, no ETIAS yet confirmed for 2026, but UK passports valid 6 months. Check FCDO travel advice.

Business and Remote Work Considerations

For UK firms with Lithuanian ties:

  • Most offices shut on holidays; plan meetings around them.
  • Labour Day (1 May) echoes UK workers’ rights focus.
  • No remote work mandates, but EU data rules apply.

Cultural Insights and Celebrations

Dive deeper:

Easter Traditions

Egg tapping games, ‘šviesa’ swings – family-focused, less commercial than UK.

Joninės Midsummer

Largest festival: Hill of Crosses lit up, folk music. UK folk festivals pale in comparison.

Christmas

Kūčios: Silent supper with kutia (poppy seed dish). No crackers like Boxing Day.

These reflect Lithuania’s resilient history – from Soviet era to EU member since 2004.

FAQs on Lithuania 2026 Holidays

Are Lithuanian holidays paid? Yes, employees get paid leave. Do shops open? Supermarkets often do, but smaller ones close. UK expats? Observe both calendars for dual holidays. Transfers? Rare; e.g., All Saints on Sunday observed as is.

This comprehensive guide ensures you’re prepared for bank holidays in Lithuania 2026. Safe travels from the UK!

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