We know Estonia
5.11.2024 | Culture

The spooky pickle season begins at museums across south Estonia  

Text Ingel Kink
Photos SA Alatskivi Loss, ERM, 

The spooky pickle season begins at museums across south Estonia  

 

Museums across south Estonia are kicking off the annual low season, known as the “pickle season” (hapukurgihooaeg in Estonian), with a twist inspired by horror films. Nearly ten museums and adventure centres in the region will offer eerie experiences, including ghost tours, horror nights, and other spine-chilling events designed to attract visitors during the typically quieter autumn and winter months.

In its second year, the pickle season brings an unusual blend of culture and horror to museums similar to America’s Halloween pumpkin season. According to Brigitta Nõmmik, campaign manager for the Southern Estonian Tourism Cluster, the aim is to embrace and rebrand the quiet season. “Last year’s peaceful events have been transformed into a thrilling experience for 2024.”

The campaign includes flashlight-guided tours, spooky dinners, horror film screenings, and specially branded “terrifying” pickles in collaboration with Peipsiääre cucumber producers, available at select stores. The participating museums include the Estonian National Museum, Tartu City Museum, Ice Age Centre, Kalevipoeg Museum, Palamuse Museum, Alatskivi Castle, Liivi Museum and Estonian Road Museum, as well as LostFear adventure games.

Further details and a full schedule of events are available at the official pickle season website.

 

 

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Estonian Tourism Ghost Tours Southern Estonia Horror-themed Museum Tours Estonia LostFear Adventure Games Pickle Season Estonia Southern Estonia Museums

23.4.2026 | Culture

Walpurgis Night Is Next Week

Walpurgis Night Is Next Week

Originally observed on 1 May, the Feast of St Walpurga is today celebrated the night before, and is called … Read more

22.4.2026 | Culture

Photographs and Stories About Clothes and Their Wearers

Photographs and Stories About Clothes and Their Wearers

At the Pärnu Museum of New Art, a Finnish–Estonian photography exhibition “If clothes could talk…” or ”Kui rõivad räägiksid…” … Read more

21.4.2026 | Culture

Tartu Punch Is Estonia’s Newest Festival

Tartu Punch Is Estonia’s Newest Festival

Tartu Punch is a new international music festival that will take place in Tartu’s Song Festival Grounds on 3–4 … Read more

20.4.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

18–26 April “Enchanted by Houseplants” Exhibition, Tallinn Over a hundred houseplants on display at Tallinn Botanic Garden, including new … Read more

17.4.2026 | Culture

Jordan Rakei, Bill Frisell, and UMO to Headline Jazzkaar

Jordan Rakei, Bill Frisell, and UMO to Headline Jazzkaar

The annual Jazzkaar festival will once again fill concert halls, clubs, and a range of uniquely atmospheric venues in … Read more

16.4.2026 | History

Equipment That Can Withstand Even the Roughest Knightly Games

Equipment That Can Withstand Even the Roughest Knightly Games

If you find Estonia’s historic fortresses to be rather dull museum attractions—stone structures of walls and loopholes without engaging … Read more

16.4.2026 | Culture

Estonian Summer Music Festival Guide 2026

Estonian Summer Music Festival Guide 2026

An old Estonian proverb says, “Don’t count your festivals before they hatch.” Not because a festival might be cancelled, … Read more

15.4.2026 | Culture

Ready for Some Good Sax?

Ready for Some Good Sax?

International saxophone stars will perform in two venues on 2 May in Tallinn. These two venues are Uus Laine … Read more