Major Summer Events in Estonia
Text Stewart Johnson Photo Visit Estonia / Aivar Pihelgas
Summer in Estonia has become very difficult for people in the last few years, because there’s simply too much to do. People face a lot of unpleasant decisions to make, for example if you decide to attend one great event, you’ll have to miss out on another. Here is Baltic Guide’s short summary of the most important events this summer by month in Estonia, so you can choose now, and not regret your decisions.
May
The biggest event in May actually starts in April. This is, of course, Student Days, in Tartu. While you might not be a student, the festive air in Tartu during this time is quite intoxicating, as are, well, the students themselves. Student Days officially kicks off with the Night Song Festival, which is held on 25 April starting with a parade from Town Hall Square to the Song Festival Grounds, where the event itself will take place. Every day after, until 3 May, will feature several public events, some of which are so silly they’re quite unbelievable!
June
Midsummer’s, or known locally as St. John’s Day (jaanipäev in Estonian), is unquestionably the biggest, most important holiday in Estonia each year. If you don’t have friends who have a summerhouse, make sure to find a local bonfire (jaanituli), which are held throughout the country in almost all villages on 23 June. Many will feature live bands, and of course massive bonfires. Food and drink on sale as well. Or visit the Estonian Open Air Museum’s jaanipäev event for a Midsummer’s bonfire by the coast, which will also feature folk dancing, traditional food, and individual events throughout the massive outdoor museum.
July
The Song and Dance Festival
The single most important culture event in Estonia is the Song and Dance Festival, which generally only happens once every five years, and 2025 is the year! Held from 3–6 July in Tallinn, this is one event that you will never forget. Over 30,000 singers from choirs across the country will perform in two days of concerts at the Song Festival Grounds. You can also watch over 10,000 dancers perform traditional and folk dances for two days at Tallinn’s Kalev Central Stadium.
3–4 July are the two dance performances. 5 July starts with the world-famous rongkäik, or parade, of all the Song Festival choirs, bands, and performers. Essentially, you can watch the entire country in one parade, which lasts several hours, as it makes its way from downtown Tallinn to the Song Festival Grounds. The opening concert will follow directly after that, and on 6 July, the main concert of the Song Festival, which is an all-day event.
WRC Rally
17–20 July will see the World Rally Championships in Southern Estonia. WRC Estonia will be one of the competitive stages of the series in a multi-day event in several locations throughout the southern part of the country. This is one of the world’s most watched sports events.
Viljandi Folk
24–27 July is Viljandi Folk, in Viljandi. One of the world’s largest folk music festivals, this four-day event offers dozens of local and international bands in as many venues.
Õllesummer
30 July to 2 August will see Estonia’s largest music festival, Õllesummer (Beer Summer) once again at Tallinn’s Song Festival Grounds. This four-day event will see Estonia’s most popular artists, as well as some foreign acts.
August
Viru Folk
8–9 August is Viru Folk, which is gaining in popularity each year, and is nearing the fame and size of its cousin, Viljandi Folk. This year’s festival features North America.
Throughout the Summer
This summer in Estonia also features a record number of major international artists performing. Names such as Bryan Adams, AC/DC, Justin Timberlake, 50 Cent, Kylie Minogue, and more will thrill audiences.
In conclusion, summer will be packed with major events for adults, children, and families. The entire summer will take place on one weekend, so plan it well!
To learn more about this and similar topicsConcerts Events in Estonia Song and Dance Festival Student Days Summer in Estonia Viljandi Folk WRC Õllesummer
