We know Estonia
27.8.2022 | Culture

Today is the night of ancient fires – Bonfires will burn on the shores of the Baltic Sea

Text Timo Huttunen
Photo Single Earth / Unsplash

Today is the night of ancient fires – Bonfires will burn on the shores of the Baltic Sea

 

On the last Saturday of August, each year the end of the summer is celebrated by the lighting of bonfires. Bonfires and signal fires will be lit in hundreds of places around the Estonian coast. The night of ancient fires is also celebrated elsewhere in the Baltic Sea region, for example in Finland, Sweden and Latvia. In Estonia, bonfires are also burned on the banks of inland waterways.

Signal fires are an ancient tradition on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Once upon a time, with the help of fires, seafarers were shown a safe route to shore. They could also be used to signal impending danger. There have been mentions of such fires since Viking times. The custom was revived in 1992 in Estonia and Finland.

Today, the event is used to remind people of the importance of protecting the Baltic Sea. It’s also a beautiful way to celebrate the end of the summer.

In connection with the event in Estonia, there are also concerts in many places, which are usually free to enter. There are events in all the major ports around the country. Many Estonians also light their own bonfire on the beach or in their gardens.

Bonfires are lit at sunset, i.e. around 9:30 p.m.

 

The locations of the public bonfires can be found most easily by clicking here

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Ancient Tradition Baltic Sea Bonfire Estonia Estonian Coast Finland Night of Ancient Fires Signal Fire

7.9.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

18 August–18 September Tallinn Fringe Festival, Tallinn The last full week of the tenth annual comedy and entertainment festival in … Read more

5.9.2026 | Culture

Mary’s Fair, or Maarjalaat, in Tartu

Mary’s Fair, or Maarjalaat, in Tartu

Early every autumn the city of Tartu in Southern Estonia holds its annual fair, called Maarjalaat in Estonian and Mary’s … Read more

4.9.2026 | Culture

Estonian Bread Day at Tallinn’s Open Air Museum

Estonian Bread Day at Tallinn’s Open Air Museum

Black bread, rye bread, dark bread…Estonian leib has many translations, and there are many recipes and varieties. On 20 September … Read more

4.9.2026 | Culture

Disainiöö Fills Põhjala Factory with Design

Disainiöö Fills Põhjala Factory with Design

The Disainiöö festival, the largest celebration of design in the Baltic countries, will take place in Tallinn for the 21st … Read more

3.9.2026 | Culture

Pikk Street Festival 2026

Pikk Street Festival 2026

Pikk Street in Tallinn is arguably the longest and most-travelled street in the Old Town. It stretches from the northern … Read more

2.9.2026 | Culture

A Day of Greenhouses, Gardens, and Verandas in Northern Estonia

A Day of Greenhouses, Gardens, and Verandas in Northern Estonia

Visitors will be welcome across Northern Estonia to visit greenhouses, gardens, and verandas on 6 September from 11:00 until 17:00. … Read more

31.8.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

3–6 September Station Narva Festival, Narva A diverse selection of music by Estonian and international performers at the Narva Castle … Read more

30.8.2026 | Culture

Autumn Jazz Festival Starts Soon

Autumn Jazz Festival Starts Soon

Sügisjazz, which is known in English as Autumn Jazz, is the autumn concert season organised by Jazzkaar. It will return … Read more