LOOKING for somewhere different to celebrate Christmas? Then how about a century-old prison whose sinister surrounds have been the backdrop to spooky scenes in TV sci-fi smash Stranger Things?

For 115 years, Lukiškės Prison in Lithuanian capital Vilnius was guarded by high walls and barbed wire, and only ceased to incarcerate prisoners three years ago. It appears a grim setting at first sight.

Little wonder that producers of Netflix sensation Stranger Things filmed here for shots seen in season four. Although it seemed that Jim Hopper was imprisoned in Kamchatka, the dark scenes were actually shot at Lukiškės.

The place has a dark history that you can explore elsewhere, and records show that nobody ever escaped. Once you were banged up here you wouldn’t be seeing the outside again. It’s an unlikely venue for Christmas cheer.

But these days, rebranded Lukiškės Prison 2, it’s home to some 250 artists and creators, and this year the prison courtyard, once scene of so much heartbreak, is hosting a Christmas gastro market.

Visitors will get chance to sample local produce including mulled wine, cake and candies – plus the chance to visit the site’s Church of St. Nicholas, reckoned to be one of the finest Orthodox churches in Vilnius.

The festivities run from December 7 to 10, and again from December 14 to 17.

The prison complex itself now serves as an alternative venue for musical, cultural and artistic events, but both the interior and exterior have been preserved to respect the many notable figures once confined here.

But then Vilnius has a back of transforming stranger things. One of the city’s other unusual venues this Christmas is a 100-year-old underground reservoir complex, which will be staging a fire festival. 

A fiery art installation has been created by artists and engineers in the recently opened Liepkalnis Water Storage, which was built under the mountain and belongs to the largest water supply company in Lithuania.

It’s an utterly unique space where sounds echo up to six times, and has hosted various music performances and art installations. From December 1, the seasonal centrepiece will be a nine-meter tall propane flame.

To learn more about Vilnius at Christmastime, see the official Go Vilnius site. Images courtesy of Go Vilnius.