Where are we going?!
We are going to Kilkim Žaibu metal festival in Lithuania! There’s absolutely nowhere they combine extreme music, frenzied bonfires and other entertainment (whether responsible or not) with this much enthusiasm. Lithuania was the last country in Europe to kiss pagan customs goodbye, but some traditions continue to exist.
This pagan identity is present in Vilnius, but above all in the forests where Kilkim Žaibu takes place each year. This is where Baltic culture, old folkloristic music and metal come together at a festival that stands proudly where others bow to mainstream and commercial. Prepare for three days of Baltic Thunder!
Why would I want to go there?
Metal festivals in Eastern Europe are characterized by a refreshing lack of regulation. Castles and improvised looking sculptures of wood and straw set on fire? The organisation keeps you at a distance – a rather small distance from the fire. What do festival visitors enjoy, apart from sampling twenty different types of beer on tap? Let them throw spears or play Viking rugby! And in the fight pit, warriors love to demonstrate how people used to resolve differences in opinion in the Baltic States.
Kilkim Žaibu is more than a metal festival. The first day is traditionally mellow with folk dances, fire rituals and folk music. On the second day, the sets get heavier and the re-enactment groups from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Belarus sharpen their swords. On the third and final day, the volume reaches thunderous levels and the Viking rugby tournament its climax.
departure | return | duration | participants | availability |
| TBA | TBA | 5 days | no min/max | not yet |
Included
- rental car in Lithuania
- festival ticket Kilkim Žaibu
- accommodation in Vilnius (dorm room hostel)
- camping at the festival in your own tent
Not included
- flight ticket Brussels – Vilnius
(around € 150 – 200) - travel insurance
- meals and refreshments
- other entrance fees
- personal expenses
Take me further!
Curious about this festival trip? Complete the contact form to get more information about Baltic Thunder (in Dutch). If you’d rather chat in English, give us a call at +31 6 81 83 20 58.