There is no better time to visit Lithuania’s capital Vilnius but this summer as it boasts not only a UNESCO-listed old town but also a vast variety of cultural events and a rapidly growing craft beer scene, ideal for those looking to get great value for their money as well as avoid the crowds.

Vilnius, Lithuania. Vilnius is growing in popularity amongst tourists thanks to its flourishing contemporary and urban cultural scenes, as well as its rich history as a city where east meets west. The city hosts a broad palette of events worth visiting, with most of them taking place in outdoor venues around the historic Old Town.

One of the prime tourist locations in Vilnius – the Palace of the Grand Dukes – will transform its courtyard into a classy yet unusual festival venue. Midsummer Vilnius Festival (15 – 26 July) is an annual performing arts festival and offers a programme consisting of 10 performances of a broad artistic spectrum. Another gem for music lovers is Christopher Summer Festival (until 28 August), that has plenty to offer for two full summer months, and will return for its 25th summer. The festival is a great opportunity to learn about the city itself, as concerts are usually organised in locations that particularly show off the capital – courtyards, churches, venues on the river and in the sky.

Lovers of the contemporary theatre will be pleased to wander around the streets of Vilnius this July during the street theatre festival SPOT (11 – 14 July). The festival will fill the streets, parks, and squares with performances, concerts, and contemporary theatre pieces. As a street theatre festival should, it invites people to challenge their perceptions of theatre completely free of charge.

Cinema Under the Stars (1 – 31 August) would be a more sophisticated cousin to the drive-in theatres, as the Palace of the Grand Dukes will be home yet for another spectacular cultural experience. The festival combines the magic of August’s starry nights with hand-picked critically-acclaimed films. The festival claims their repertoire is selected by hand and by heart, and consists of classics, documentaries, and Lithuanian films.

When it comes to good food with an even better view, Dinner in the Sky (8 – 11 August) offers an unrivalled experience for four brief summer days. Guests are lifted to the heights of 50 meters to enjoy exquisite food with picture-perfect Vilnius landscape at their feet, while the country’s top chefs are serving their food. During dinners, the chef of the day personally joins the guests and talks about his food and menu. The restaurant in the sky requires guests to book in advance due to limited seating capacity and the popularity of its services.

The Vilnius food journey doesn’t end with fine dining in the sky. One of the most anticipated events by all the foodies in town, Vilnius Burger Fest (25 July) welcomes specialized restaurants, funky food trucks and prominent good food enthusiasts. It also offers a vast selection of locally brewed and imported craft beverages, necessary in order to find that perfect burger-beer match.

Furthermore, the rapidly growing popularity of Vilnius street food scene can be experienced through two initiatives, Open Kitchen and Turgus 2.0. Open Kitchen takes place every Friday and Saturday next to the bohemian district and the self-proclaimed republic of Užupis, while Turgus 2.0 is located next to the Central Station and offers guilty street food pleasures while being surrounded by old trains on Sundays. Both weekly events gather various food trucks and food stalls offering street food from around the world.