We know a thing or two about Christmassy places in Europe, but when it comes to the festive season, is there any accolade as merriment-inducing as being named the European Capital of Christmas? Arguably not.
Excitingly, that’s now the case for Vilnius, Lithuania’s charming capital city. The Christmas Cities Network has named it the European Capital of Christmas for 2025, citing its ‘dazzling displays, iconic Christmas Tree, and rich programme of events’.
It’s worth noting that three Christmas Capitals have been named this year, and Vilnius was recognised alongside Celje in Slovenia, which is a scenic destination nestled in the Lower Savinja Valley, and Noja, a coastal town on the coast of northern Spain.
So, how does the selection process actually work? Well, the Christmas Cities Network is dedicated to promoting the festive season’s cultural, social and economic values, and with the support of the European Parliament, it highlights places that take pride in community engagement and heritage preservation.
And Vilnius is full of heritage: take the city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, for example – has there ever been a better backdrop for an ice rink? What’s more, all the twinkly lights hanging from lampposts and buildings are energy-efficient and lots of the city’s decorations are eco-friendly.
But being blessed with the European Capital of Christmas title isn’t the only achievement won by Vilnius this year – back in June, we reported that the Michelin guide was expanding to include Lithuania, and four restaurants in the capital were awarded with Michelin stars. Vilnius really has bossed its way through 2024.
Don’t you wish it could be Christmas everyday?
Have a look at our roundups of the best places to visit at Christmas, the best Christmas markets in Europe and the world and the planet’s most iconic Christmas trees.
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Plus: These are the best rated European Christmas markets for 2024.
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