Kedainiai – the Heart of Lithuania, Becoming the 2026 Capital of Culture

Located in the very centre of Lithuania, Kedainiai is counting down the final days to 2026, when the city will receive a special honour – the title of Lithuania’s Capital of Culture. An ambitious year-long programme will welcome visitors from across the Baltic region.

Kedainiai is renowned for its history – one of the oldest and most culturally diverse cities in Lithuania, and once one of only four privately owned towns in the country. The year 2026 will mark a true cultural revival: more than 150 events will take place under the unifying slogan “IspuDIDINGA” , a play on the words “impressive” and “grand”. Visitors will be invited to enjoy festivals, concerts, light installations and theatrical performances throughout the year.

Next year, Kedainiai will turn into a genuine open-air cultural stage. The programme will include an international choral competition, a spectacular festival of lights, the Ceslovas Milosz Literary Festival, and the opening of the Old Town Theatre in the historic heart of the city. One of the highlights will be the Lithuanian Accordionists Festival, bringing together top musicians from across the country. In total, more than 30 special projects will form part of the 2026 programme.

Kedainiai is also famous for its cucumber-growing tradition – long a symbol of local pride and now an emblem of the city itself. During its year as the Capital of Culture, Kedainiai will host Lithuania’s greenest festival – the Cucumber Celebration, blending food, music and good cheer.

But Kedainiai is worth visiting even beyond its Capital of Culture year. Set in the heart of Lithuania, the city and its surroundings impress with lush nature, historic manors, and the unique atmosphere of its old town. It is one of the few cities in Europe where six different confessional houses of worship still stand, bearing witness to a rich multicultural heritage. Kedainiai also delights visitors with its culinary variety – from its legendary Kedainiai pancakes and surprisingly tasty cucumber ice cream to traditional Scottish haggis and other local specialities.

Reaching Kedainiai is simple. Located at the crossroads of Lithuania, the city is almost equidistant from all major urban centres. Travellers can arrive from Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda or Siauliai in just a couple of hours by car or train. Its convenient location makes Kedainiai an ideal destination for both a weekend getaway and a cultural journey across Lithuania.

Discover a city where history, culture and flavour meet.

More information: www.kedainiai26.lt and www.kedainiutvic.lt