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

22.6.2025 | Culture

Mika Vesalahti’s five exhibitions showcase eight years of painting work

Mika Vesalahti’s five exhibitions showcase eight years of painting work

Visual artist Mika Vesalahti presents the key works from his painting series created over the past eight years in … Read more

20.6.2025 | Culture

Song and Dance Celebration Torch to Arrive in Tallinn

Song and Dance Celebration Torch to Arrive in Tallinn

Since 1869 in Tartu, the Song and Dance Celebration has been the crowning event of Estonian culture, history, and … Read more

19.6.2025 | Culture

Narva Days Is a Unique Celebration in Estonia

Narva Days Is a Unique Celebration in Estonia

Narva is an Estonian city that was officially founded in 1345, and has unquestionably had quite a colourful, if … Read more

18.6.2025 | Culture

Celebrate Midsummer’s at the Estonian Open Air Museum

Celebrate Midsummer’s at the Estonian Open Air Museum

“When the village folk came together” is the theme of this year’s Midsummer’s, or jaanipäev, event at the Estonian … Read more

18.6.2025 | Culture

A church music festival is being held in Rapla

A church music festival is being held in Rapla

One of Estonia’s oldest music events, the Rapla Church Music Festival, will once again be held in Rapla from … Read more

17.6.2025 | Culture

Estonian–Finnish Band Cosmic Cowboyz Release Their First Single

Estonian–Finnish Band Cosmic Cowboyz Release Their First Single

Estonian–Finnish rock band Cosmic Cowboyz have released their debut single, “Kino”. A music video for the single has also … Read more

17.6.2025 | Culture

National Folk Costumes: What You Need to Know

National Folk Costumes: What You Need to Know

Estonia’s internationally famous Song and Dance Festival is only a couple weeks away. Anyone visiting Estonia, no matter where … Read more

16.6.2025 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

22 March–3 August BANANA exhibition by Flo Kasearu, Tallinn BANANA, or Build Absolutely Nothing Anywhere Near Anyone, by Flo … Read more