Vilnius events & things to do in January 2027
Start with Three Crosses Hill, Vilnius University, plus Užupis Constitution and Angel. January in Vilnius averages -2°C / 29°F highs, -6°C / 21°F nights, and about 12 rainy days.
Expect -2°C/29°F days and about 12 rainy ones in January. Start with these:
- Three Crosses Hill★ 4.7 · 5.5k reviewsThe white monument stands on a wooded hill above the Vilnia river, with a panorama back to Gediminas Tower and the Old Town.
- Vilnius University★ 4.6 · 832 reviewsFounded in 1579, the university fills a maze of courtyards, arcades, and halls between Pilies Street and the presidential palace.
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Vilnius in January 2027
Weather
TempTemperature
29°F / 21°F
-1.7°C / -5.9°C
RainPrecipitation
12d
2in · 50mm
LightDaylight
7.6h
January is frozen and dark, so keep Cathedral Square and Užupis walks short and plan indoor museum time.
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Jan 1New Year's DayPublic holiday
- Jan 1-Jan 3Long weekend
About Vilnius
City overview
Vilnius is an inland Neris River capital whose large Baroque Old Town climbs from Cathedral Square toward Gediminas Hill and east into Užupis. The first-trip map is Senamiestis for churches and university courtyards, Užupis for the self-declared art republic, and Naujamiestis or the station district for newer food, museums, and nightlife.
Food & drink
Vilnius food centers on cepelinai potato dumplings, saltibarsciai cold beet soup, kepta duona fried bread, kibinai, kugelis, and honey cake. Hales Market by the station, Stikliai Street restaurants, Užupis cafes, and craft-beer bars around Naujamiestis give the best first-pass food map.
Top sights
Ranked for January suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Užupis Constitution and Angel
- 2St Anne Church and Bernardine Church
- 3Gediminas Castle Tower
- 4Vilnius Cathedral and Bell Tower
- 5Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
- 6Gate of Dawn
- 7Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights
- 8MO Museum
1Užupis Constitution and Angel
4.6★ · 1,733outdoorOpen dailyUžupis declared itself a playful republic in 1997 and displays its constitution on mirrored plaques near Paupio Street. The Angel of Užupis column marks the neighborhood main square east of the Old Town.
2St Anne Church and Bernardine Church
4.8★ · 4,761indoorOpen dailyThe late-Gothic brick St Anne Church stands beside the larger Bernardine complex on the edge of Užupis. The pair sits a short walk from Pilies Street and the Vilnia river.
3Gediminas Castle Tower
4.7★ · 12,778indoorOpen dailyThe brick tower is the surviving symbol of the Upper Castle on the hill tied to Grand Duke Gediminas. It rises above Cathedral Square and gives the clearest view over the Neris, Old Town, and Three Crosses Hill.
Show 3 more sights
- 4Vilnius Cathedral and Bell Tower
- 5Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania
- 6Gate of Dawn
Neighborhoods
1Senamiestis
The Old Town is broad and layered, with Cathedral Square, Pilies Street, Vilnius University, Town Hall Square, Gate of Dawn, and dozens of Baroque churches inside a walkable core.
2Užupis
Užupis feels small, artistic, and self-aware, with its constitution wall, Angel column, galleries, riverside paths, and views back toward St Anne Church.
3Naujamiestis
Naujamiestis is the newer city west and south of the Old Town, with MO Museum, cafes, bars, converted industrial buildings, and bus links near Pylimo Street.
Day trips
30km / 40min by train or bus from Vilnius station
Trakai
The island castle on Lake Galve is the classic Vilnius day trip, with Karaim kibinai shops around the lakeshore. Summer weekends need earlier trains or buses.
100km / about 1h 15min by train from Vilnius station
Kaunas
Lithuania second city adds a compact Old Town, interwar modernist architecture, and the confluence of the Neris and Nemunas rivers.
35km / about 45min by car from central Vilnius
Kernave
The UNESCO archaeological site preserves medieval hillfort mounds and early Lithuanian capital history. It is easiest by car or organized tour because buses are less convenient.
Getting around
Vilnius has no metro, but trolleybuses, buses, and the Vilniecio kortele or Trafi/JUDU mobile tickets cover the station, airport, Užupis edge, and newer districts. The Old Town is best walked, with taxis useful after late Naujamiestis or Užupis nights.
Planning a Vilnius trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in January.
Common questions about Vilnius in January
- Best rainy-day things to do in Vilnius in January
January averages 12 rainy days in Vilnius, so keep these indoor stops as realistic backups.
- St Anne Church and Bernardine Church — The late-Gothic brick St Anne Church stands beside the larger Bernardine complex on the edge of Užupis. The pair sits a short walk from Pilies Street and the Vilnia river.
- Gediminas Castle Tower — The brick tower is the surviving symbol of the Upper Castle on the hill tied to Grand Duke Gediminas. It rises above Cathedral Square and gives the clearest view over the Neris, Old Town, and Three Crosses Hill.
- Vilnius Cathedral and Bell Tower — The neoclassical cathedral was rebuilt by Laurynas Gucevicius in the late 18th century on the city main sacred site. The free-standing bell tower and Cathedral Square form the natural start of an Old Town walk.
- Palace of the Grand Dukes of Lithuania — The palace was reconstructed on the Lower Castle site and now explains the Grand Duchy through archaeological foundations, ceremonial rooms, and state history. It stands directly behind Vilnius Cathedral.
- Gate of Dawn — The 16th-century city gate holds the Chapel of Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn, one of Vilnius most important Catholic pilgrimage images. It marks the southern entrance into the Old Town from Aušros Vartų street.
- What to pack for Vilnius in January
Pack for January's weather, not a generic Vilnius checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around -2°C / 29°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average -6°C / 21°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 12 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Vilnius
- 4 days covers the main Vilnius highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
Ready to plan Vilnius?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Vilnius plan for January 2027, every place checked for your exact dates.