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The Baltic Manors Festival Arrives in Lithuania: A Weekend of Wide‑Open Doors at Historic Manors Inviting You to Meet, Celebrate, and Discover
2026 06 30Six countries surrounding the Baltic Sea are joining forces to host the Baltic Manors Festival. From July 3 to 6, nineteen Lithuanian manors and one castle will open their doors to visitors. From tours through spaces usually locked behind nine keys, to hikes, markets, tastings, and free concerts – it is the ideal time to plan a richly layered, manor‑themed holiday.
The upcoming long weekend will be marked by Lithuania’s Statehood Day – the Coronation of King Mindaugas. It is a beautiful occasion, an extra day off, and, with temperatures dipping slightly, a perfect moment for travellers to set out in search of new experiences and discoveries.
The tranquil Paberžė estate in the Kėdainiai region is associated with two very different worlds. The manor houses Lithuania’s only museum dedicated to the 1863 Uprising, while the nearby church was shepherded for nearly three decades by Father Stanislovas, whose presence imbued the place with a unique spiritual energy.
This week, the Paberžė manor invites visitors to explore how the area’s history has shifted through time. A poetic experience awaits: a guided walk through the manor grounds, the church, and the granary of liturgical garments, followed by a playful educational session on identifying the purpose of old household objects. The afternoon will conclude with a presentation of manor culture and etiquette, featuring authentic period clothing.
The Baltic Manors Festival will also arrive at Tuskulėnai Manor in Vilnius, where an interactive themed tour, “The Architects of Tuskulėnai,” will introduce visitors to the ensemble’s history and architectural features – a site that has witnessed both royal chapters and Soviet repression.
Music for the Soul, Art for the Eyes, and a Butterfly Effect (July 3)
Alanta Manor in the Molėtai region resembles an Italian villa so closely that one might momentarily forget they are still in Lithuania. That Mediterranean feeling is expected to intensify on Friday evening, when Judita Leitaitė performs songs beloved across the world.
Meanwhile, Zypliai Manor in the Šakiai region – often described as an oasis of culture and art – will open an exhibition by Latvian graphic artist Imants Haneckis, “The Butterfly Effect.” His works intertwine contemporary artistic ideas with personal experience.
On the same day, Šumskas Laukininkai Manor (Vilnius district) will host a psychomeditative solo performance, “Things Not Yet Seen,” inviting audiences to explore the nature that resides within. The solo part is performed by actor Ramūnas Abukevičius.
Seeking its place on the cultural map, Vilijanova Manor (historically known as Naujaneriai Manor) on the outskirts of Vilnius has installed a temporary artistic piece that will be on display around the clock from July 3 to 6. The installation invites viewers to see history not only as the past, but as a responsibility toward the future – and as a reflection of humanity’s unrelenting desire to live.
Rokiškis Sets Out on a Unity Walk; Jurbarkas Reveals the Secrets of a Manor Pharmacy (July 4)
One of Lithuania’s most picturesque estates – Ilzenberg Manor in the Rokiškis region – will be among the first to officially mark Statehood Day. A special celebration will bring the community together to honour Lithuanian traditions and unity. The event will feature a unity walk through nature, shared activities, refreshments, and a concert.
During the Baltic Manors Festival, Panemunė Castle (Jurbarkas region) will shine in a new light as stories of everyday life slip out from behind its thick walls. Even the Manor Pharmacy will open its doors: ancient remedies and herbs will reveal how people cared for their health in centuries past.
Under Thousands of Stars, Among Thousands of Blossoms (July 4)
For nature lovers, Aukštoji Freda Manor in Kaunas is an ideal choice for the long weekend. It can easily be called a paradise for plant enthusiasts: its publicly accessible botanical collections stretch across 30 hectares. Rarely open to the public, the VDU Botanical Garden invites visitors to special tours exploring how cultural heritage, science, and public education intertwine in its daily life.
A guide at Antazavė Manor (Zarasai region) will also be ready to answer visitors’ questions while leading them through the manor halls and exhibitions.
A Rare Opportunity: Stories Told Directly by the Hosts (July 5)
To mark the national holiday and the Baltic Manors Festival, several remarkable sites – usually closed to the public – will open their doors widely. At Aštrioji Kirsna Manor (Lazdijai region), one of the largest estates in Dzūkija, visitors will be welcomed on a guided walk with the manor’s caretaker. It is a rare chance to learn firsthand about the history, architecture, and surroundings of this private estate.
Liubavas Watermill, located in the Vilnius region, is the only site in Lithuania with fully restored original technological equipment. It transports visitors back to the flourishing era of Liubavas Manor, revealing historical processes such as metalworking and electricity production. On Sunday, the tour will be led by Gintaras Karosas, founder of the European Park and Liubavas Manor Museum.
A Musical Gift from Lithuania’s Armed Forces and Young Creators (July 5)
Music will abound throughout the long weekend. A concert of exceptional beauty will take place at Jašiūnai Manor (Šalčininkai region), featuring the Lithuanian Armed Forces Orchestra with soloists Jomantė Šležaitė‑Paukštė and Tomas Pavilionis.
In Trakų Vokė Manor in Vilnius, the stage will belong to emerging young songwriters.
A Very Slow and Very Pleasant Time in Nature (July 6)
Events at six Lithuanian manors will crown the final day of the Baltic Manors Festival. On Statehood Day, the revitalising Lipliūnai Manor (Kėdainiai region) will welcome visitors for tours, a vintage market, and – for those who bring snacks – picnics in the manor park.
Jurbarkas Manor will celebrate not within its own grounds, but at the Bišpilis hillfort, offering educational activities for all ages and a theatrical hike. Those curious about lesser‑known chapters of Jurbarkas Manor’s history are invited to join a special tour on July 3, which includes a descent into the authentic cellars of the southern manor wing.
Take Your Pick: Youth Circus, Paper Roses, or a Festive Market? (July 6)
At Aristavėlė Manor – a wooden gem standing within the Lithuanian Ethnographic Museum near Kaunas – a cosy afternoon will feature readings of historical recollections and workshops on crafting paper roses.
Kelmė Manor will host a Theatre and Music Festival, including the opening of an exhibition of works by painter Antanas Žmuidzinavičius.
Raudondvaris Manor will celebrate Statehood Day with a rich artistic program: musical dance and theatre performances, youth circus acts, a jewellery exhibition, guided tours, and a festive market.
At Rietavas Manor, the evening will resonate with folk music and communal singing with a women’s choir. Naturally, the day will conclude with the singing of the National Anthem, inviting everyone to unite.
Baltic Manors Festival
The Baltic Manors Festival is an initiative uniting manors across Lithuania, northern Poland, northern Germany, Denmark, southern Sweden, and Latvia. From early summer to autumn, visitors are invited to explore historic manors, meet the people breathing new life into them, enjoy music, culture, tours, local food, and stories unique to each region.