Estonian Independence Day Is Just Around the Corner: Where Will You Be?

Text Stewart Johnson
Photo Andrei Chertkov

This coming week is all about celebrating the 108th Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, in other words, Independence Day! There are events all around the country, with this year’s main event happening in Tallinn. But we’ll tell you the biggest events happening wherever you happen to be in Estonia.

Independence Day in Tallinn will officially kick off at 7:33 in the morning on 24 February, this Tuesday. Join everyone at the Pikk Hermann tower by the Riigikogu for the flag-raising ceremony. The Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom will also have special opening hours, so you can go directly there after flag-raising to check out their new, temporary “Estonian World” exhibition. And/or, you can also visit Estonia’s Open Air Museum for a special pre-party event of the Baltica Folk Festival, with dancing, music, food, and more.

The night before Independence Day, if you happen to be around Tartu, you can attend one of the few concerts in Estonia this year by one of the country’s most celebrated artists internationally: Duo Ruut, live in Tabivere. On the big day itself in Tartu, there will be a series of ceremonies and speeches, followed by a technology and weapons exhibition on Town Hall Square at 11:00, and concluding with an ice-skating party around the Kissing Students Fountain. On a side note, the official season closing of the ice rink is only four days later, on Saturday. Make sure you check it out, as it will be a fun disco-themed party.

If you happen to be in Pärnu, then most of the Independence Day events are the day before, on 23 February. There will be a ceremonial walk around the Pärnu War of Independence Memorial at 13:00, followed at 14:10 by speeches and a ceremony with music on Pärnu’s Independence Square. That evening, in the atrium of the Port Artur II Mall, there will be a free party and concert. The next day, a flag-raising ceremony and music on Independence Square, followed by a guided tour starting in the same location titled “Pärnu—The Birthplace of the Republic of Estonia.

Narva Castle will have a special programme for Independence Day. Kuressaare Castle will have a special concert in the courtyard. And finally, there will be many events happening throughout the town of Viljandi.

The Baltic Guide wishes all of you a warm, safe, and festive Estonian Independence Day! Elagu Eesti!

To learn more about this and similar topics
Duo Ruut Events in Estonia Independence Day Museum Narva Tallinn Tartu Viljandi