[2] It is located 45 km (28 mi) north of Lithuania's second largest city Kaunas on the banks of the Nevėžis River.

In a ring of five miles, the St Jurgis church is surrounded by smaller villages – Lančiūnava, Kapliai [lt], Labūnava, Josvainiai, Dotnuva, Kalnaberžė.

Kėdainiai other alternate forms include Kidan, Kaidan, Keidany, Keydan, Kiedamjzeÿ [9] ("j" /e/), Kuidany, and Kidainiai.

[14] During the Cold War, it was home to Kėdainiai air base, a major Soviet military airlift facility.

Publicized as a milestone in the industrialization of Lithuania, it emitted significant quantities of sulfuric acid and was the subject of ecological protests in the 1980s.

[15][16] Following years of stagnation, old enterprises have come back to life, and new ones have been established, contributing to its status as an economic stronghold.

Football club FK Nevėžis, named after the nearby river plays in second-tier league I Lyga.