Join us on the last weekend of January where the Curonian lagoon becomes a true festive stage—and the smelt season is already being celebrated.
Delicious fish, the rhythm of "bumbinimas", and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
Raise your sails to the west and come enjoy the hospitality of Neringa, the magic of winter, and the authentic taste of the seaside!
From traditional fishermen’s workshops, educational activities, and romantic walks around Neringa, to lively competitions, concerts, and craft fairs. Local fishermen will share the traditions of fishing, while musicians and educators help you explore your surroundings creatively.
The festival parade—already becoming a tradition—featuring local fishermen and ice sleds, will be accompanied not only by local folklorists but also by the performing, dancing, and playful folk ensemble "Ratilio" from Vilnius University!
FESTIVAL PROGRAM:
Friday, January 30
7:00 PM – “Songs of the Curonian Lagoon” Concert with the local women’s choir "Smiltatė" (Conductor: Vytautas Valys). Free admission.
Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center Agila, Taikos St. 4, Neringa
Saturday, January 31
8:00 AM – Smelt fishing competition “Nidos blizgė”. More information and registration: www.stintapukis.lt
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM – "Stintapūkis" fair: food producers, fish farmers, traditional craftspeople, heritage preservers, artisans, farmers, beekeepers, herbalists, creative businesses, and other vendors.
STINTAPŪKIS EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Saturday, January 31
10:00 AM – V-16 Puzzle Championship 2026
Organized by Neringa Sports School
Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center Agila, Taikos St. 4, Neringa
1:00 – 3:00 PM – Net-making workshop and traditional Curonian children’s game Meškeris tournament, warmed with a sip of kafija.
Nida Fisherman’s Ethnographic Homestead, Naglių St. 4, Neringa
3:00 PM – Artistic and educational experience at the Mizgiriai Amber Museum, where a unique amber collection is presented through multimedia visuals.
Registration: +370 610 04280
Naglių St. 27, Neringa
4:00 PM – “Palaungė Time” with ethnographer Indrė Skablauskaitė: tasting kafija and showcasing culinary heritage.
Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center Agila, Taikos St. 4, Neringa
1:00 – 4:00 PM – STINTAPŪKIS FESTIVAL (Naglių St., Nida):
Parade with giant fishermen, local Neringa fishermen, ice sleds, and folklore ensembles
Official opening of the festival and fishing competition awards
Folklore ensembles "Giedružė" and "Aušrinė" share tales of winter on the dunes and songs from the Curonian Lagoon region
Fishermen’s songs performed by Vilnius University folk ensemble "Ratilio"
Traditional Curonian Spit games
Presentation of fishing traditions with Juodkrantė fisherman Karolis Tamulis
Festival premiere: "bumbinimas" ensemble performance
Traditional ice fishing lessons with fishermen Zolenas Lubys and Zigfridas Kairys from Pervalka
Traditional dances with the folk dance group "Kalnapušė" and line dance group "Dorė"
Ice sled rides
Lively folk music by the band "Joldija"
Traditional Curonian game: ice hockey with curved sticks
5:00 PM – Documentary screening about Nida fishermen “Endangered Species”
Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center Agila, Taikos St. 4, Neringa
8:00 PM – Evening celebration with Vilnius University folk ensemble "Ratilio" and rapper ATIKIN
Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center Agila, Taikos St. 4, Neringa
Sunday, February 1
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – "Stintapūkis" fair: food producers, fish farmers, traditional craftspeople, heritage preservers, artisans, farmers, beekeepers, herbalists, creative businesses, and other vendors.
12:00 PM – Fairy tale afternoon and creative workshops for children and families: “What Hides in the Curonian Spit Forests?” and “Once Upon a Time in Old Klaipėda…”
Organized by Pranas Domšaitis Gallery
Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center Agila, Taikos St. 4, Neringa
12:00 PM – Artistic and educational experience at the Mizgiriai Amber Museum, showcasing a unique amber collection through multimedia visuals.
Registration: +370 610 04280
Naglių St. 27, Neringa
Festival Hosts: Jonas Kavaliauskas, Aušra Feser
Participants: Actors from Šilutė Chamber Drama Theatre, Vilnius footmen, Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center "Agila" folklore ensemble "Giedružė", folk dance group "Kalnapušė", folk music band "Joldija", line dance group "Dorė", Folklore Ensemble of the Liudvikas Rėza Cultural Centre “Aušrinė”, fishermen Karolis Tamulis, Zolenas Lubys, Zigfridas Kairys, the Kazlauskas family, and others.
Please note that events will be filmed and photographed, and the material will be published.
Organizer: Nida Culture and Tourism Information Center Agila