Estonia's top summer music festivals

Estonians love to party.

Estonia offers an exciting range of events throughout the year, from sporting events to film festivals. But the most lively time of year is summer. Extra hours of daylight mean there's even more time to spend outdoors. Festival organizers take advantage of Estonia's white nights and pack the weekends with events all season. 

Besides the ever-popular food festivals, there are plenty of music festivals to choose from. All genres are covered, from classical music to jazz, folk, and avant-garde electronic music. Check out this list of the top music festivals in Estonia this summer.

Retrobest Festival

Pühajärve Park, near Otepää in South Estonia

This music festival is for fans of hits from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. It's aimed at families and anyone who appreciates the nostalgic flair of past decades.

Big stars of the 1980s and 1990s will perform on two open-air stages, featuring well-known pop and disco acts alongside new dance projects that revive the retro sound. Themed food stalls, vintage-style photo booths, and a small fairground program will be set up around the music stages. 

Beach Grind

Pärnu Beach

On the beachfront promenade of Estonia's "summer capital," impressive ramps and obstacle courses are set up for national and international BMX riders, skateboarders, and surfers to compete for prize money and titles.

In addition to the competitions, the program includes show sessions with professional athletes, workshops for beginners, and a DJ lineup featuring local hip-hop and EDM acts. Visitors can relax on the beach, sample Estonian craft drinks at beach bars, and participate in open-air yoga while the pros conquer the sand dunes.

The Ostrova Festival

Setomaa, South Estonia

This festival is an open-air event that celebrates the unique culture of the Seto people.

The Ostrova Festival takes place annually in mid-July, combining traditional music, crafts, food, and dance from Seto culture with a supporting program of modern folk and pop music.

Visitors can check out small concerts, craft markets, and food stalls in historic villages, meadows, and old wooden churches.

Viljandi Folk Festival

Viljandi

Over the course of four days, more than 100 concerts are held in Viljandi's castle ruins, churches, courtyards, and public squares.

Held annually at the end of July since 1993, it is Estonia's largest folk music event and one of the most important in Europe. 

Originally focused on traditional Estonian folk music, the festival has evolved into an international gathering of European folk musicians, encompassing a range of styles from folk-rock to folk-metal and world music.

I LAND SOUND

Illiku Peninsula, near Orissaare, Saaremaa

This idyllic island festival began back in 2014 and usually takes place at the end of July. It has established itself as the summer event for lovers of bass-influenced music, encompassing genres such as dubstep, drum 'n' bass, and experimental electronic music.

Audiovisual installations and artistic lighting design set the stage for international DJs and live acts. Workshops on sound design, visual arts, and sustainable event production are also offered during the festival. Saaremaa's unique atmosphere, combined with techno beats, makes I LAND SOUND an experience for connoisseurs of electronic music.

Saaremaa Opera Days

Kuressaare, Saaremaa

This festival focuses on opera and chamber music productions, primarily performed in Saaremaa's medieval castle. In addition to major stage productions, attendees can check out solo concerts, master classes, and children's programs.

Internationally renowned singers, conductors, and directors collaborate with Estonian ensembles to present both classical operatic works and modern compositions. The program is complemented by discussions on opera history, a celebratory banquet featuring Estonian cuisine, and an exhibition on the island's musical tradition.

Õllesummer Festival

Tallinn

Estonia's largest open-air music festival draws music fans from around the world to the capital every summer. Nearly 100 acts perform on around eight stages at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds – from local chart-toppers to regional artists and international headliners.

In addition to music (rock, pop, and folk), street stalls offer Estonian food, craft beer tastings, and an eclectic supporting program with workshops, silent discos, and after-parties.

August Blues

Haapsalu, West Estonia

Established in 1994, August Blues is the largest blues festival in the Baltics. The festival takes place in the enchanting coastal town of Haapsalu, in the courtyard of Haapsalu Castle. 

International and Estonian blues artists will fill the historic walls with concerts over two evenings, while more intimate concerts can be heard in small clubs and open-air sessions during the day. The picturesque atmosphere of Haapsalu's Old Town and its proximity to the Baltic Sea give the festival a relaxed, summery vibe.

TRESKI Fest

Setomaa, South Estonia

It takes place in the remote Treski region of Setomaa in South Estonia. The festival's focal point is an open-air wooden stage built in the forest, where folk singers, singer-songwriters, and even jazz acts present their programs.

TRESKI Fest combines concerts with art installations, yoga sessions, wild herb workshops, and culinary events that highlight local food. The festival places great emphasis on sustainability and regional culture, serving as a gateway to discovering Setomaa's pristine natural beauty and fascinating history.