Loftas Fest – Vilnius – Lithuania 2025

Background & History

Loftas Fest, held at Menų Fabrikas Loftas in Vilnius’ Naujamiestis district, is Lithuania’s premier urban arts and music festival and one of the largest in the Baltic States. Launched to transform the abandoned Elfa electrical engineering factory into a cultural hub, it has become a cornerstone of Vilnius’ creative scene, drawing over 20,000 attendees annually. Supported by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and Vilnius City Municipality, the festival blends contemporary music, street art, immersive installations, and social initiatives.

In 2024, it featured 375 artists across five stages, including the “What’s Next in Music?” showcase for emerging talents, and raised funds for local charities (~€2,000–€5,000, speculative). The 2025 edition, set for 12–14 September, promises an expanded lineup, new art projects, and a focus on sustainability and inclusivity, cementing its status as a global platform for innovative music and urban culture.

Event Highlights

• Live Music: Over 350 artists expected across five stages (Tuborg Zero Limits, What’s Next in Music?, Battery, Elfa, Red Cat). Past performers included Kosmonauci (Poland), SKAMP (Lithuania), Meisterjaan (Estonia), and Nina Elektrichka (Latvia); 2025 may feature similar Baltic and European acts, with genres like indie, rock, electronic, and hip-hop (12–14 Sep, ticketed/free).
• What’s Next in Music? Showcase: A platform for emerging artists, hosted on Open Air and Red Cat stages, spotlighting Baltic and international talents like Kabloonak or NFNR (Ukraine) from 2024 (12–13 Sep, free with limited capacity, ticketed for priority access, ~$11.60–$23.20 USD, speculative).
• Urban Art Installations: Immersive works, such as 2024’s “Coffee and Scooters” by Tautvydas Galkauskas and “Ikonoklasta” by Reverso (Germany), plus new light and sound installations for 2025 (free, 12–14 Sep).
• Street Theatre & Performances: Interactive shows, including dance (e.g., 2024’s “Erase for Prosperity?”) and pop-up acts across the venue (free, 12–14 Sep).
• Street Food Market: Over 20 vendors offering Lithuanian cepelinai, vegan bowls, burgers, and desserts (~$3–$12 USD, cash/card). Expect local craft beers and cocktails (~$4–$10 USD, age 19+).
• Night Program: House, techno, and electropunk DJ sets on Battery and Elfa stages, featuring international DJs like 2024’s DJ Mell G (Germany) (11:00 PM–6:00 AM, ticketed, N18, ~$23.20–$34.80 USD, speculative).
• Social & Educational Initiatives: Talks on sustainability, mental health, and responsible alcohol consumption, plus workshops on music production (free, speculative, 13–14 Sep).
• Craft & Design Market: Local artisans selling jewelry, clothing, and vinyl records (~$5–$50 USD, 12–14 Sep, free entry).

Date & Duration

• Date: 12–14 September 2025 (Friday 6:00 PM to Sunday 6:00 AM).
• Duration: 2 days (36 hours total, speculative extension to Sunday based on 2023’s 3-day format).
• Opening Times:
  • Friday, 12 Sep: 6:00 PM–6:00 AM (main stages, DJ sets, art installations).
  • Saturday, 13 Sep: 12:00 PM–6:00 AM (all stages, markets, street theatre, workshops).
  • Sunday, 14 Sep: 12:00 PM–6:00 AM (closing acts, markets, speculative).
• Note: Full schedule and artist lineup announced July 2025 at www.loftasfest.com or tickets.paysera.com. Night program (post-11:00 PM) is N18; daytime events (12:00 PM–11:00 PM) are family-friendly with adult supervision.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venue: Menų Fabrikas Loftas, Švitrigailos g. 29, 03229 Vilnius, Lithuania (main stages, art installations, food and craft markets).
• Secondary Venues: Kishene (Battery Stage for house/techno), outdoor areas for Open Air and Red Cat stages (What’s Next in Music?), and nearby courtyards for street performances.
• Administrative Contact: Menų Fabrikas Loftas, Švitrigailos g. 29, Vilnius, Lithuania; info@menufabrikas.lt; +370 645 71145.
• Note: Venue is partially wheelchair-accessible; main indoor areas are paved, but outdoor stages may have uneven terrain. Disabled toilets and ramps are available. Contact info@menufabrikas.lt for accessibility details. Parking at Švitrigailos g. (~50 spaces, ~$2–$5 USD/day, speculative) or Naugarduko g. public lot (~100 spaces, ~$3–$6 USD/day, 5-minute walk). Maps and accessibility info at www.menufabrikas.lt.

Contact Information

• Email: info@menufabrikas.lt.
• Phone: +370 645 71145 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
• Website: www.loftasfest.com (main festival info, artist lineup, July 2025 updates) or tickets.paysera.com (ticketing).
• Social Media: @LoftasVilnius (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X). Newsletter signup at www.menufabrikas.lt for early announcements.
• Ticketing: Purchase via tickets.paysera.com (opens July 2025) or on-site (cash/card, limited availability). Main stage (Tuborg Zero Limits) and night program require tickets; Open Air, Red Cat, and art areas are free with limited capacity.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Purchase online via tickets.paysera.com (July 2025) or on-site at Švitrigailos g. 29 (cash/card, subject to availability). Booking fees ~€1–€2 ≈ $1.16–$2.32 USD, speculative. Concessions for under-18s (with adult supervision, written parental consent, and accompanying adult’s declaration); under-10s free with parents. E-tickets recommended; allow 24–48 hours for customer service response.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 EUR ≈ 1.16 USD):
  • Base Ticket: €10.00 ≈ $11.60 USD (main stage access, 12–14 Sep).
  • Premium Ticket: ~€20–€30 ≈ $23.20–$34.80 USD (speculative, all stages including Battery/Elfa, priority access to What’s Next in Music?, based on 2024 trends).
  • VIP Package: ~€50–€80 ≈ $58–$92.80 USD (speculative, includes backstage access, meet-and-greets, premium bar, based on Baltic festival trends).
  • Programme: ~€3–€5 ≈ $3.48–$5.80 USD (speculative, on-site, cash, includes lineup, map, and art guide).
  • Donations: Optional, ~$2.50–$12.50 USD for local charities (e.g., youth arts programs, speculative, based on Stranraer Oyster Festival).
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €10–€80 (speculative for VIP).
  • USD: ~$11.60–$92.80 USD.
• Additional Notes: Base ticket (€10 ≈ $11.60 USD) confirmed per user data and tickets.paysera.com. Premium and VIP pricing speculative, based on 2024 trends and Baltic festival standards (e.g., Positivus Festival). Free stages (Open Air, Red Cat) have limited capacity; early arrival advised. Night program (post-11:00 PM) is N18; no under-18s admitted. Under-18s for daytime events require adult supervision and documentation. Exchange rate (1 EUR ≈ = 1.16 USD) per user data. Check tickets.paysera.com for updates by July 2025.

Cultural Experience

Loftas Fest transforms the industrial Menų Fabrikas Loftas into a dynamic urban playground, celebrating Lithuania’s vibrant creative scene and Baltic cultural exchange. It blends cutting-edge music, street art, and immersive performances, fostering inclusivity through free daytime events and ticketed night shows. The “What’s Next in Music?” showcase elevates emerging artists, while installations and workshops highlight Vilnius’ role as a UNESCO Creative City. The festival’s industrial backdrop, community focus, and international lineup make it a unique cultural experience, connecting locals and visitors through art and innovation.

Food & Drinks

• Event Venue: Over 20 food stalls at Švitrigailos g. 29 offer Lithuanian specialties (cepelinai, šaltibarščiai), vegan bowls, burgers, kebabs, and desserts like šakotis (~$3–$12 USD, cash/card). Drinks include local craft beers (e.g., Švyturys), cocktails, and non-alcoholic options (~$4–$10 USD, age 19+ for alcohol). Water stations are available.
• Nearby Dining:
  • Džiaugsmas (Vilniaus g. 28, 01144 Vilnius, Michelin-starred Lithuanian, $15–$40 USD, 10-minute drive).
  • Peronas (Geležinkelio g. 6, 02100 Vilnius, pub fare with craft beer, $5–$15 USD, 5-minute drive).
  • Senoji Trobelė (Naugarduko g. 36, 03228 Vilnius, traditional Lithuanian, $8–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Meat Lovers Pub (Švitrigailos g. 7, 03110 Vilnius, burgers and steaks, $10–$25 USD, 3-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Beer, cocktails, and spirits at festival bars (~$4–$10 USD, age 19+). Nearby bars like Peronas or Alaus Namai (Goštauto g. 8, $5–$10 USD) offer additional options.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Daytime events (12:00 PM–11:00 PM) are family-friendly; under-18s require adult supervision, written parental consent, and an accompanying adult’s declaration. Under-10s free with parents. Activities include face painting, street theatre, and music workshops (speculative, free with admission). Night program (post-11:00 PM) is N18; no under-18s allowed. Well-behaved dogs welcome on leads.
• Accessibility:
  • Main venue (indoor) is wheelchair-accessible with ramps; outdoor areas may have uneven surfaces. Disabled toilets and designated viewing areas are available. Contact info@menufabrikas.lt for specific needs or assistance with animal policies. Free companion tickets for accessibility needs (book via tickets.paysera.com).

Getting There

• By Air: Vilnius International Airport (VNO, 5 miles, 15-minute drive, $5–$10 USD by taxi).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: Vilnius Central Station (1.5 miles, $1–$3 USD, 5-minute taxi or 15-minute walk). Check www.traukiniobilietas.lt for schedules.
  • Bus: City buses 1, 2, or 53 to Švitrigailos g. stop ($1–$2 USD, 5-minute walk). Tickets via www.stops.lt or mobile apps (e.g., Trafi).
  • Trolleybus: Lines 2 or 7 to Švitrigailos g. (~$1 USD, 5-minute walk).
• By Car: Limited parking at Švitrigailos g. (~50 spaces, ~$2–$5 USD/day, speculative) or Naugarduko g. public lot (~100 spaces, ~$3–$6 USD/day, 5-minute walk). Car-sharing services like CityBee are available (~$10 USD/day).
• By Bike/Foot: 5-minute walk from Švitrigailos g. bus stop; 15-minute walk from Vilnius Old Town. Bike racks available (~20 spaces, free, speculative).
• By Taxi/Rideshare: Bolt or Uber ($5–$10 USD from Vilnius centre). Local taxis (+370 5 205 5888, ~$5–$15 USD).

Program Details

• July 2025: Full artist lineup, schedule, and ticket details announced at www.loftasfest.com or tickets.paysera.com.
• 12 September (Speculative, based on 2024):
  • 6:00 PM–10:00 PM: Opening acts on Tuborg Zero Limits Stage, art installations open.
  • 10:00 PM–6:00 AM: Night program (Battery/Elfa stages, DJ sets, N18).
• 13 September (Speculative):
  • 12:00 PM–6:00 PM: What’s Next in Music? (Open Air/Red Cat stages, free/ticketed), street food market, craft stalls, street theatre.
  • 6:00 PM–11:00 PM: Main stage performances, art workshops (e.g., mural painting, speculative).
  • 11:00 PM–6:00 AM: Night program (techno/house, N18).
• 14 September (Speculative):
  • 12:00 PM–6:00 PM: Closing acts on Open Air/Red Cat stages, food and craft markets, family-friendly activities.
  • 6:00 PM–6:00 AM: Final DJ sets (Battery/Elfa stages, N18).
• Note: Schedule speculative, based on 2024 structure. Sunday extension based on 2023’s 3-day format. Night program is N18; daytime events require supervision for under-18s. Full details July 2025.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024: 375 artists, including Kosmonauci (Poland), SKAMP (Lithuania), Meisterjaan (Estonia), Nina Elektrichka (Latvia), and DJ Mell G (Germany). What’s Next in Music? featured Kabloonak and NFNR (Ukraine), drawing ~22,000 attendees.
• 2023: Alcest (France), 1000mods (Greece), Trio Mandili (Georgia), with ~20,000 visitors. Art installations included interactive light shows.
• 2022: Röyksopp (Norway) and Shortparis (Russia), with record-breaking attendance.

Educational Impact

• Workshops & Talks: Sessions on music production, sustainability, and mental health (e.g., 2024’s alcohol awareness talks, free, 13–14 Sep, speculative).
• Programme: ~$3.48–$5.80 USD, includes artist bios, venue map, and art installation guide (speculative, on-site, cash).
• Exhibitions: Interactive art displays (e.g., light and sound installations, free with admission) and talks on Vilnius’ industrial heritage.

Cultural Activities

• Music Stages: Tuborg Zero Limits (headliners), What’s Next in Music? (emerging artists), Battery/Elfa (DJ sets, N18), Red Cat (indie/rock, free/ticketed).
• Street Performances: Theatre, dance, and pop-up acts (e.g., 2024’s “Erase for Prosperity?”, free, 12–14 Sep).
• Art Installations: Immersive works like light shows and soundscapes (free, 12–14 Sep).
• Craft Market: Local artisans selling handmade goods (~$5–$50 USD, 12–14 Sep).
• Workshops: Music production and street art sessions (free/ticketed, ~$5–$10 USD, speculative).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Main stage and night program tickets sell out; book via tickets.paysera.com (July 2025). Accommodation fills quickly; reserve 6–12 months via www.booking.com or www.visitvilnius.lt.
• Weather Prep: September (50–65°F, possible rain); bring waterproof jackets, comfortable shoes for uneven terrain.
• Explore Locally: Vilnius Old Town (UNESCO, free, 10-minute drive), Gediminas Castle Tower ($5 USD, 15-minute drive), Užupis District (artistic area, free, 10-minute drive).
• Public Transport: Purchase bus/trolleybus tickets ($1–$2 USD) via www.stops.lt or mobile apps. Vilnius City Card ($20–$40 USD) offers discounts on transport and attractions.
• Festival Info: Digital schedules and artist updates at www.loftasfest.com. Download the Loftas app (speculative) for real-time notifications.

Local Attractions

• Vilnius Old Town: UNESCO World Heritage site with cobblestone streets (free, 10-minute drive, 01123 Vilnius).
• Gediminas Castle Tower: Panoramic views, $5 USD entry (15-minute drive, 01124 Vilnius).
• Užupis District: Bohemian area with art galleries (free, 10-minute drive, 01129 Vilnius).
• MO Museum: Modern art, $10 USD (10-minute walk, Švitrigailos g. 15).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Novotel Vilnius Centre ($80–$150 USD/night, Gedimino pr. 16, 01103 Vilnius, 10-minute drive).
  • Radisson Blu Royal Astorija ($120–$200 USD/night, Didžioji g. 35, 01128 Vilnius, 10-minute drive).
• B&Bs: Bernardinu B&B ($50–$100 USD/night, Bernardinų g. 5, 01124 Vilnius, 10-minute drive).
• Hostels: Hostelgate ($20–$50 USD/night, Aušros Vartų g. 17, 01304 Vilnius, 10-minute drive).
• Airbnb: Vilnius apartments ($30–$90 USD/night, Naujamiestis or Old Town).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 6–12 months via www.booking.com or www.visitvilnius.lt to secure spots near the venue.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid stations at Švitrigailos g. 29; nearest hospital is Vilnius University Hospital (Santaros g. 2, 08406 Vilnius, 15-minute drive).
• Security: On-site stewards and security checks; no personal fireworks or glass bottles. Contact info@menufabrikas.lt for concerns.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations throughout the venue; masks are optional. COVID-19 or health policies TBD at www.loftasfest.com (July 2025).
• Safety Tips: Stay hydrated (free water stations); secure valuables due to crowds.