After Midsummer’s, What’s Next? More Midsummer Celebrations!
Text Stewart Johnson Photo Visit Estonia / Aron Urb
Midsummer’s Eve, or jaanilaupäev in Estonian, is the single biggest annual holiday in the country. Typically celebrated with bonfires, sauna, friends and family, it is often said that the weather matches the other end of the holiday spectrum: Christmas. Often cold and rainy, it’s the butt of a lot of jokes. But Midsummer’s Eve is on 23 June, frequently lasting throughout the brief hours of semi-darkness, where the sun barely dips below the horizon. And what is there to do the next day? Do it again, of course!
On 24 June, at Tallinn’s Song Festival Grounds, gates will open at 14:00 for the city’s, and possibly the country’s, largest Midsummer bonfire of them all. What’s more, three famous Estonian musical artists will give concerts. These are 2 Quick Start, Smilers, and the one and only Tommy Cash! What makes concerts so special at the Song Festival Grounds in summer is how the sun sets behind the Song Arch, the iconic dome-like structure, and the gorgeous colours it produces.
As Midsummer’s Eve continues to become more commercial, it seems that every village and rural municipality is hosting its own event, but because of the limited number of musical artists in Estonia, these celebrations are often held a few days in advance of the actual date. This is why you can see advertisements for Smilers, Anne Veski, and others performing at Midsummer events so often. Many times they are even double-booked on each day, finishing one concert and quickly moving on to perform at the next.
If you didn’t get enough of the party, or you didn’t have access to a countryside venue, this event is definitely for you. The Song Festival Grounds are within walking distance of the Old Town. Tickets bought before 20 June are only €10 plus fees, and children 7 and under get in free if accompanied by a ticket-holding adult. After 20 June, tickets are €15. The official website is here, and the Facebook event is here, if you want to check if any friends are going.
To learn more about this and similar topicsBonfire Concert Events in Tallinn Family Event Jaanipäev jaanituli Midsummer celebrations Song Festival Grounds
