Rasos Festival in Kernavė

When the sun reaches its zenith and the herbs are bursting with life, we invite you to the Rasos (Kupolė) Festival in Kernavė (Širvintos district), an event steeped in the oldest traditions. Kernavė is a place where, since 1967, Rasos has been celebrated according to archaic Baltic customs, based on historical, ethnographic, and folklore sources. It was here that the symbol of the reviving Lithuanian national identity was born – a festival that sparked the folklore movement, national consciousness, and spiritual resistance. Rituals, fortune-telling, ancient songs, dances, and games come alive here not as echoes of the past, but as a living, shared experience. The Rasos Festival invites you not to watch, but to be a part of it – to feel, learn, and discover yourself in the light of ancient customs together with folklore ensembles and traditional bands. This is the living magic of midsummer, uniting nature and humanity. Let's celebrate Rasos together – where it all began! PROGRAMME 12:00 PM Fair of craftsmen, folk artists, and culinary heritage specialists / Kernavė town avenue Exhibition of photography “The Mystery of the Shortest Night” by photo artist Vytautas Daraškevičius / Kernavė wooden chapel On the hillforts of the Kernavė Archaeological Site and in the Pajauta Valley by the Neris River 5:00 PM Gathering of herbs (kupoliavimas) with a herbalist in the Pajauta Valley; 7:00 PM Wreath weaving, herb divination, and tea on the Pilies kalnas (Castle Hill) hillfort 7:45 PM Festive procession of folklore ensembles along the Kernavė town avenue 8:00 PM Ritual gate ceremony at the foot of Pilies kalnas (Castle Hill) 8:20 PM Ritual circle dances, games, and performances by folklore ensembles on the Pilies kalnas (Castle Hill) hillfort 9:40 PM Sunset ritual on the Pilies kalnas (Castle Hill) hillfort 10:20 PM Lighting of the altar (aukuras) at the foot of Aukuro kalnas (Altar Hill) hillfort 11:00 PM Lighting of the great bonfire and the fire-wheels

Adresas: Kernavė