We know Estonia
23.8.2025 | Culture

KopliFest and the Night of Ancient Lights

Text Stewart Johnson
Photo Kevin Wang / Unsplash

KopliFest and the Night of Ancient Lights

 

Kopli is the district of Tallinn that is farthest to the north, on a peninsula, and it is having a festival to celebrate its unique culture and heritage. A rather industrial neighbourhood, Kopli housed workers for various factories, including shipbuilding, during the Soviet era. The area now boasts several lovely parks with playgrounds, a popular culture centre, and is easily accessible by tram, car, bus, and foot.

KopliFest itself will feature lots of live music, arts, food and beverage, a fair and market featuring local goods, loads of activities for children, workshops, and tours of the area. The extremely popular Põhjala tehas is also in Kopli, which is full of art galleries, restaurants, and other entertainment.

More information is available in English here, and in Estonian here. The event is scheduled to conclude around 20:00. In the evening, visitors can enjoy the Night of Ancient Lights. This is a tradition to commemorate the signal fires that were lit in times long ago to guide sailors home, or at least keep them from crashing on the coast. They were lit at sunset.

The Night of Ancient Lights will take place all across the country, and you can choose a local bonfire to attend here. But if you already know you’ll be in Tallinn and want to attend, you can choose between the Seaplane Harbour Museum, and the Viimsi Open Air Museum. Dress warmly!

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Bonfire Events in Tallinn Festival Kopli KopliFest Night of Ancient Lights

10.9.2026 | Culture

Tallinn International Horse Show 2026

Tallinn International Horse Show 2026

Tallinn’s Unibet Area will host the Tallinn International Horse Show 2026 on 2–4 October for three days full of equestrian … Read more

10.9.2026 | Culture

Open House Opens Closed Doors to the Public

Open House Opens Closed Doors to the Public

The architecture event Open House, held in more than 60 cities around the world, once again offers visitors in Estonia … Read more

8.9.2026 | Culture

Films From the World of Fashion in Tallinn and Tartu

Films From the World of Fashion in Tallinn and Tartu

The film festival MoeKunstiKino, focusing on fashion and the people and phenomena of the fashion industry, will once again take … Read more

7.9.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

18 August–18 September Tallinn Fringe Festival, Tallinn The last full week of the tenth annual comedy and entertainment festival in … Read more

5.9.2026 | Culture

Mary’s Fair, or Maarjalaat, in Tartu

Mary’s Fair, or Maarjalaat, in Tartu

Early every autumn the city of Tartu in Southern Estonia holds its annual fair, called Maarjalaat in Estonian and Mary’s … Read more

4.9.2026 | Culture

Estonian Bread Day at Tallinn’s Open Air Museum

Estonian Bread Day at Tallinn’s Open Air Museum

Black bread, rye bread, dark bread…Estonian leib has many translations, and there are many recipes and varieties. On 20 September … Read more

4.9.2026 | Culture

Disainiöö Fills Põhjala Factory with Design

Disainiöö Fills Põhjala Factory with Design

The Disainiöö festival, the largest celebration of design in the Baltic countries, will take place in Tallinn for the 21st … Read more

3.9.2026 | Culture

Pikk Street Festival 2026

Pikk Street Festival 2026

Pikk Street in Tallinn is arguably the longest and most-travelled street in the Old Town. It stretches from the northern … Read more