Celebrating Halloween in Lithuania this year? Well, don’t expect it to be a huge deal. You see, while some young people enjoy costumes, pumpkin displays, and themed parties, most Lithuanians still treat October 31 as just another day.
Even so, Halloween in Lithuania has its own twist. Folk stories, masks, and treats sneak into modern celebrations, and give the holiday a flavor you won’t find anywhere else. Before we dive into the unique customs, let’s start by learning a few Lithuanian words for Halloween that will help you get into the spirit.
Lithuanian Words For Halloween
These are the most common Lithuanian words for halloween that you should remember:
Halloween – Helovinas / Helovynas
Helovinas is how they call the holiday in Lithuania.
Pumpkin – Moliūgas
Moliūgas (pumpkin) is the classic symbol of Halloween. You can see them carved out and decorating homes in many places in Lithuania.
Trick Or Treat – Pokštas Arba Saldainis
The phrase kids say when they go door-to-door asking for sweets. It’s a tradition that doesn’t really exist in Lithuania, except for another holiday called Užgavėnės, where children are given pancakes instead of candy.
Mask – Kaukė
You’ll often see young people wearing kaukė (mask) as part of costumes that represent witches, ghosts, or other mystical creatures.
Witch – Ragana
Witches are an important part of Halloween and Lithuanian folk stories.
Ghost – Vaiduoklis
Ghosts appear in Halloween costumes and decorations, and in Lithuanian stories about spirits of the dead.
Horror Movie – Siaubo Filmas
Scary movies that get everyone in the Halloween mood.
Devil – Velnias
The devil is another traditional spooky figure, common in costumes and tales.
Skeleton – Skeletas
Skeletons are used in decorations and costumes to symbolize the eerie side of the holiday.
How They Celebrate Halloween In Lithuania
Halloween in Lithuania is a little different from what you might expect. Most people in Lithuania don’t really celebrate it in the traditional Western sense.
You’ll spot pumpkins, costumes, and spooky decorations in the cities, mostly for fun among young people. Older generations usually see Halloween as a foreign tradition and prefer to honor the dead the old Lithuanian way.
Old Traditions And Vėlinės
Before Halloween made its way from the West, Lithuanians celebrated Vėlinės, a day to remember loved ones who have passed away. Families visit graves, light candles, and honor the spirits of the dead.
These Lithuanian traditions go back to both pagan and Christian times, and the focus is on respect and reflection, not costumes or candy.
Užgavėnės, Lithuania’s Own “Halloween”
Instead of Halloween, Lithuanians celebrate Užgavėnės, an old pagan holiday to chase away winter. People burn an effigy called Morė, wear masks of witches and devils, and even stage a playful battle between Winter and Spring. The day is full of fun, food, and community, with pancakes and traditional pastries instead of candy. Unlike Halloween, though, Užgavėnės takes place in February.
The Spirit World In Lithuania’s Everyday Life
Lithuanians have always been connected to the mystical world. From legends of witches and fairies to spooky spots like Devil’s Pit, the Hill of Witches, and other Lithuanian haunted places, spirits are woven into everyday stories. Even on holidays like Christmas Eve, families leave food out for spirits, keeping a connection to the unseen world alive throughout the year.
How Do You Say Halloween In Lithuanian?
The word for Halloween in Lithuanian is Helovinas or Helovynas.
Useful Vocab
Now that you know how Lithuanians celebrate (or don’t celebrate) Halloween, it’s time to learn some more useful words. These terms cover holidays, seasons, and local customs so you can get a better feel for the language and culture.
| English | Lithuanian |
|---|---|
| holiday | šventė |
| october | spalis |
| autumn | ruduo |
| winter | žiema |
| spring | pavasaris |
| November 1st | Visų Šventųjų Diena |
| November 2nd | Vėlinės |
| candle | žvakė |
| grave | kapas |
| spirit | vėlė |
| family | šeima |
| costume | kostiumas |
| pancake | blynai |
| effigy | Morė |
Tips For Celebrating Halloween In Lithuania
Yeah, Lithuanians aren’t that big on Halloween, but who says you can’t still have an awesome time? Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Look up Halloween events in big cities like Vilnius and Kaunas.
- Visit cemeteries during Vėlinės on November 2nd to see families lighting candles and honoring their ancestors. It’s a beautiful and quiet way to connect with Lithuanian culture.
- Try out local treats like pancakes and pastries like Baronka.
- Check out haunted or mystical places like the Hill of Witches to experience the folklore that inspired Lithuanian tales of spirits and witches.
- Plan ahead, as November 1st and 2nd are bank holidays and some shops or attractions may be closed.
- Wear warm clothes and waterproof shoes. Autumn in Lithuania can be rainy and chilly.
- Learn a few key words using the Ling app, and impress locals with your knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Halloween In Lithuania
Do Lithuanian People Celebrate Halloween?
Not traditionally. Halloween is mostly celebrated by young people in cities, while older generations stick to old Lithuanian ways of honoring the dead.
What Is The Pagan Holiday In Lithuania?
Užgavėnės is an old pagan holiday where people wear masks, burn an effigy called Morė, and celebrate the end of winter.
Is November 1st A Holiday In Lithuania?
Yes. November 1st is All Saints’ Day, followed by Vėlinės (Day of the Souls) on November 2nd, when families visit graves and light candles for the deceased.
Halloween Vs Lithuanian Traditions
So, what’s Halloween like in Lithuania? Honestly, it’s a bit different from what you might expect. Young people love costumes and pumpkin displays, but most locals still practice other holidays on the Lithuanian calendar, like Vėlinės, a quiet day to remember loved ones, and Užgavėnės, a fun, centuries-old tradition to chase away winter.
If you’re planning on joining in the fun, check out the local events, and explore the haunted and mystical places around the country. That’s the only way I can guarantee you’ll have a great time.
Oh, and don’t forget the Lithuanian words for Halloween covered in this post. With a little curiosity, some tasty treats, and a few key Lithuanian words in your pocket, you’ll get to experience the season like a local and make this Halloween in Lithuania truly memorable.
Want To Learn Lithuanian? Try Ling!
Enjoy learning new words and phrases in a foreign language? With the Ling app, you can learn Lithuanian words and phrases you’ll actually use, practice speaking with interactive dialogues, and dive into the culture behind the language.
Bite-sized lessons, fun exercises, and practical vocabulary make learning Lithuanian (or any language) easy and enjoyable. Start today and see how quickly you can pick up words like Helovinas and more!
