The Best Baltic Festivals in February 2020

February marks the second month of the year and is quite possibly the most unique out of all in the calendar year. During leap years it can have 29 days and in common years it features 28 days. The shortest month of the year doesn’t have to be the least bright, right? Despite the short amount of time we get to experience “Lover’s Month”, February is of no shortage when it comes to interesting festivals. Let’s take a look at the best festivals in February from around the Baltic states.

MustonenFest

January 31 – February 8, 2020

MustonenFest, a long-standing international music festival, explores music from different genres and centuries. The festival bears the name MustonenFest in honour of the violinist, conductor and versatile musician Andres Mustonen.

This annual festival devoted to Baroque music takes place all over Estonia with the majority of shows being held in Tallinn. This year focus is on bringing Baroque music to the masses – they claim that Baroque as a musical style isn’t dead but instead a living entity that can also change and progress as time goes on. The performers come from Estonia and all over Europe.

Moreover, there will be 20 concerts in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and elsewhere in Israel as a part of Mustinfest. Estonian choirs and soloists with Israeli orchestras, ensembles and soloists in 10 joint programs of classical, jazz and folk music.

Palanga smelt 2020

February 7-8, 2020

Have you ever relished tasting a fish smelling like a cucumber? Are you are looking for a new gastronomic experience? What about an uplifted hangout in a lively crowd of numerous artisans, fish chefs and entertainers? On February 7-8 you definitely have to come to Palanga, a Lithuanian resort on the Baltic shore, where the traditional Palanga Smelt Festival will take place.

On this day you can not only taste smelt cooked in many different ways but participate in various competitions, watch Smelt Grill Championship. Entire Basanavičiaus high street is turned into a large open-air restaurant for smelts in this fishing holiday. If you prefer catching a smelt yourself, you may do so at the Sea Bridge where there are angling contests. There’s also the annual ‘polar bear’ event, at which hardy swimmers frolic in the freezing Baltic waters. Well, are you ready?

Tartu Marathon

February 16, 2020

Winter ski festival brings thousands of skiers to South-Estonia. Otepää is the starting point for this famous 63 km cross-country race to Elva. Tartu Marathon is one of the oldest ski marathons in the world with its history of 60 years. First Tartu Marathon was held in 1960. It is also one of the biggest ski marathons in the world. Tartu marathon is attracting over 10,000 participants. There are 31 km and 16 km variants for those without sufficient stamina. There are also Open Track event, Relay Marathon and races for children. The same organisation hosts a range of sporting events (cycling road races, mountain-bike races, running races) in and around Tartu throughout the year. Do you like skiing? So you can’t miss this winter event in the Baltic states.

Exhibition-Festival ”Erots 2020”

February 21-22, 2020

The most intriguing Erotica Festival in the Baltic States offers its visitors surprising show programs, women and men strip shows performed by Latvian and foreign artists. The visitors are invited to feel the erotica themselves taking part in contests and other activities. ”Erots” offers not only a wide entertainment program, but also a vast choice of erotic products — adult toy exhibition. Important information: entry from 18 years of age.

Shrovetide at the Open Air Museum

February 23-25, 2020

Shrovetide is a merry holiday in the heart of winter, which is enjoyed by kids and grownups alike. On Shrove Tuesday, also known as “sledging day”, Estonians say good-bye to the winter and start the Lenten period. Do you know why people slide on Shrove Tuesday? Who is Metsik? What are the best traditional winter games? Come to the Estonian Open Air Museum and find out.

You will enjoy hearty and fatty food, take part in winter amusements, make a bone spinner and celebrate! Join them for a good long slide down the slope to make sure that the new year brings plenty of health and luck!

In conclusion, February is a great time to visit the Baltics. Winter days are rather pleasant and sunny. The Baltic capitals are easy to see during one trip if you have the time. It’s best to start in Vilnius and work your way up to Tallinn via Riga. Break up your visit however you like! For example, spend one or two days in Vilnius, a day in Riga, and a couple more in Tallinn to get a feel for each city.

To sum up, if you need more specific information about the things to do in Vilnius, don’t hesitate to contact us travel@jerulita.lt!