Escape the festive rush: Vilnius launches the slowest Christmas Marathon
Tourism officials in Vilnius are keeping their fingers crossed that those who go the marathon distance in the Lithuanian capital in December won’t even come close to setting any marathon records.
The city is inviting people to enter what it says will be Europe’s Slowest Marathon, an event that will enable energetic but not necessarily speedy city residents and visitors alike to slow down and enjoy the Christmas season at a more relaxed pace. The city describes itself as one of Europe’s most beautiful Christmas destinations, and the compact and walkable metropolis is turning into a route for the Slowest Christmas Marathon on Dec. 12 and 13.
The announcement comes as travellers increasingly look beyond Europe’s busiest festive hotspots in search of a slower and more authentic Christmas experience. According to Skyscanner’s 2026 report, 34% of travellers now seek less crowded destinations, while 32% say overcrowded places negatively impact the quality of their holidays. With Europe’s most famous Christmas markets becoming increasingly crowded, Vilnius is inviting travellers to experience a more relaxed festive season.
“Christmas has become a season of rushing from one thing to the next. 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?” said Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, head of communications at Go Vilnius.
The Slowest Christmas Marathon’s idea is simple: the slower you walk, the less you rush; the less you rush, the more Christmas magic you notice. With people taking 10% fewer steps in winter, there is good reason to keep moving: walking 7,000 steps a day has been associated with a 22% lower risk of depressive symptoms compared with 2,000 steps.
Open to city residents and visitors with no registration required, the routes will range from 3 km to 42.195 km, with 10 km and 21 km options in between. Digital maps, available until January 3, will lead participants through decorated streets, cosy cafés, and details easily missed at a faster pace.
During the Dec. 12 and 13 weekend, selected stops will offer small surprises and perks, with prizes waiting for those who complete their route along the required stops.
Alongside Vilnius’ main Christmas attractions, the routes will lead visitors to lesser-known corners of the city. Stops include Senatorių Pasažas (Senators’ Passage), a historic courtyard with a popular cinnamon bun, and the Užupis Cat, a small sculpture in the city’s bohemian district. Even the streets have surprises, with routes passing through Žiemos (Winter), Šerkšno (Frost), Sniego (Snow), and Elnių (Deer) streets.
“The Slowest Marathon ties into our Christmas campaign, which borrows the style of a nature documentary to introduce a newly discovered human species: the Christmas Walkerus,” said Girdzijauskaitė. “They look like everyone else, but their behaviour is distinctive. They walk slower, notice more, and choose the interesting route over the shortest one. And the best part? You’re not born a Christmas Walkerus. You become one simply by coming to Vilnius and allowing yourself to slow down.”
The marathon is part of the “Christmas in Vilnius” wider festive season, which opens on Nov. 28 with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting. The Christmas Market in Cathedral Square will run from Nov. 28 to Dec. 27, and see Vilnius once again turned into a winter wonderland, with buildings draped in thousands of lights and festive decorations.
The design of Vilnius’ award-winning and iconic Christmas tree remains a closely guarded secret. Previous trees have ranged from fairy tales and birthday cakes to clocks and more traditional designs, surprising residents and visitors alike with an original artistic vision from designers.
All four digital routes for the Slowest Christmas Marathon will remain available until Jan. 3 for those visiting later in the festive season.
