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Running a marathon is undoubtedly a bucket list ambition for many people – and the rise of “race-cations” has seen active travellers plan holidays around running and endurance events.
But what if you could complete a marathon without watching your pace or hitting the dreaded “wall”, and instead enjoy regular stops for cinnamon buns, festive lights and warming drinks? Sounds pretty good, right?
That’s exactly what the Go Vilnius tourism development agency is proposing with its new “Europe’s slowest marathon” campaign, which encourages visitors to explore the Lithuanian capital at a leisurely pace this Christmas – rather than battling the usual festive rush and crowds.
Open to city residents and visitors with no registration required, the slowest Christmas marathon on 12-13 December 2026 will have routes ranging from 3km to 42.195km, with 10km and 21km options also available.
Held alongside Vilnius’ main Christmas attractions, the routes will take visitors through lesser-known corners of the walkable city. Stops will include Senatorių Pasažas (Senators’ Passage), a historic courtyard where visitors can try a popular cinnamon bun, and the Užupis Cat, a sculpture in the bohemian district. Routes will also pass through streets with festive names such as Žiemos (Winter), Šerkšno (Frost), Sniego (Snow), and Elnių (Deer).
While taking place on the main weekend of 12-13 December, digital route maps for the “marathon” will be available until 3 January 2027.
“Christmas has become a season of rushing from one thing to the next,” said Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, head of communication at Go Vilnius. “We wanted to turn that idea on its head.
“In Vilnius, you can take your time – the city is compact, the distances are short, and there is no need to hurry. It offers sparkling lights of its UNESCO-listed Old Town, warm cafés tucked into historic courtyards, and the magical glow of the tree in Cathedral Square. So why not make the slowest marathon possible?”
Christmas in Vilnius: Other festive attractions
As well as the slowest marathon, Vilnius has many other attractions and experiences for visitors to enjoy this winter.
The city’s festive season will open on 28 November with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting.
Also on the calendar is the Christmas Market in Cathedral Square from 28 November to 27 December, the Christmas Ice Rink at Town Hall Square from 29 November to 25 January, and the Christmas Train around Vilnius’ Old Town from 28 November to 3 January.