Traffic will be restricted across central Vilnius from February 13th to February 17th, and will be entirely prohibited on portions of Gediminas Avenue, Šv. Jono Street, Pilies Street, L. Stuokos-Gucevičius Street, and Totorių Street, as the city prepares for celebrations marking Lithuania’s Independence Day on February 16th.
The most extensive closures will begin on February 13th at 7:00 PM, with Gediminas Avenue closed between Šventaragio and Vilnius Streets until February 17th at 4:00 AM. From February 15th at 10:00 AM until February 16th at 9:00 AM, Šv. Jono Street and a section of Pilies Street, from Literatų Street to Šv. Mykolo Street, will be closed to all traffic except for local residents. A complete traffic ban will then be in effect on those streets from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on February 16th.
Further restrictions will be implemented on February 16th from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on L. Stuokos-Gucevičius Street, between Liejyklos Street and building number 9, and on Totorių Street, between Šv. Ignoto Street and Liejyklos Street. Exceptions will be made for vehicles involved in the Independence Day events. Additional temporary closures will occur on Universiteto Street and a portion of Liejyklos Street, from S. Skapo Street to Totorių Street, between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM, again with exceptions for event participants. Gediminas Avenue will also be fully closed from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on February 16th.
The Vilnius municipality has announced that parking permits issued for blue zone parking spaces will be valid in other parking areas during the event period, February 14th to 16th.
Public transportation will be free of charge throughout Vilnius on February 16th, according to the municipality. Trolleybuses and buses will operate on a weekend schedule. Increased frequency is planned for routes 1G, 3G-A, and 53 buses, as well as trolleybus routes 2, 3, and 7, to accommodate larger passenger volumes expected due to the day’s events. The traditional youth parade, “On the Path of the Lithuanian State,” will begin at 10:00 AM in Cathedral Square, near the Gediminas monument.
Sixteen bonfires will be lit along Gediminas Avenue on the evening of February 16th, burning from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
