We know Estonia
17.4.2025 | Culture

Jazzkaar International Festival to Kick Off

Text Stewart Johnson
Photo Lauren Desberg

Jazzkaar International Festival to Kick Off

 

Jazzkaar is an international festival organised every year in Estonia since 1990. This nationwide celebration of jazz lasts for two weeks, with concerts across the country, and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Many artists performing will of course be from Estonia, yet the festival is proud to present several from the rest of Europe, the Middle East, North America, and even India!

Concerts will take place throughout Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Võru, Otepää, Jõhvi, and Haapsalu. On 20 April, there will also be several free concerts, fully open to the public, in several venues around Tallinn. Special events on this day will include a morning yoga session with live jazz, and a record fair at Jazzkaar’s info tent.

For those travelling between Helsinki and Tallinn, there will also be a few concerts aboard the Tallink Megastar, for a real taste of live jazz at sea! From the police departments and the airport, to a retirement home and on the streets, the selection of venues for this year’s Jazzkaar is truly exceptional. The entire country will come alive with the sounds of jazz.

Jazzkaar, the largest jazz festival in the Baltics, was first organised in 1990, and has been a symbol of Estonia’s independence ever since. Over 35 years, more than 3000 foreign artists from over 60 countries have performed, with around 25,000 visitors one year. Jazzkaar is today recognised as one of the premiere music festivals in Europe, and for a very good reason!

Tickets for individual concerts, day passes, and festival passes are available here.


To learn more about this and similar topics
Events in Estonia Events in Tallinn jazz Jazzkaar music Music Festival

23.1.2026 | Culture

Estonia’s Own Björk to Perform in Tallinn

Estonia’s Own Björk to Perform in Tallinn

Iiris Vesik, who has lived and made music in England for years and has reached the top five three … Read more

21.1.2026 | Culture

Final Concert of Audio Spa Series

Final Concert of Audio Spa Series

Teras Beach, Tallinn’s unique indoor beach at Lõuka 6 near the Tallinn Zoo, will be the venue for the … Read more

20.1.2026 | Culture

Jõgevamaa is Estonia’s food region for 2026

Jõgevamaa is Estonia’s food region for 2026

Each year in Estonia, one county or region is chosen to act as a nationwide ambassador of its local … Read more

20.1.2026 | Culture

MustonenFest Starts This Week

MustonenFest Starts This Week

Wherever you are this week in Estonia, there will be a concert near you happening as part of the … Read more

17.1.2026 | Culture

Sea Songs in Support of Estonian Associations

Sea Songs in Support of Estonian Associations

The Finnish–Estonian Associations Union, or SVYL, which promotes awareness of Estonia in Finland through its roughly 30 local associations … Read more

16.1.2026 | Culture

Romeo and Juliet by the Flamenco Ballet of Catalonia

Romeo and Juliet by the Flamenco Ballet of Catalonia

The tale of two star-crossed lovers is as eternal to everyone as dance. The Flamenco Ballet of Catalonia combines … Read more

16.1.2026 | Culture

Events in Estonia in Early 2026 and Summer

Events in Estonia in Early 2026 and Summer

There is no shortage of worthwhile public events in Estonia throughout the year and for every taste. Start your … Read more

13.1.2026 | Culture

Panoraama—Greatest Hits of Rock

Panoraama—Greatest Hits of Rock

Light up the dark nights of January with the brightest music of the 20th century. Panoraama, a band consisting … Read more