The biggest annual events in Estonia
These major events draw visitors from all over Estonia and abroad. If you plan to travel to Estonia to attend one of these events, then plan ahead!
Winter, spring, summer, fall — there's always something going on!
Tallinn and Tartu offer a wide variety of events throughout the year — from culture to sports and music, indoors and outdoors. But there is no shortage of events in other parts of the country either.
Thanks to Estonia's compact size, it is possible to do it all — run a cross-country race in the wilds of South Estonia in the morning, and then go to a concert in Tallinn in the evening.
Some Estonian festivals and competitions take place annually and have become established traditions. We have compiled the larger ones here in the order they occur throughout the year.
Of course, we highly recommend you add a few extra days to explore before and after your event; you'll see why when you get here!
Tartu Marathon
14-15 February 2026
If you are itching to ski, then head to South Estonia. Put your body to the test at the Tartu Marathon. For over 60 years, this marathon has been recognized as one of the best ski competitions in the world, attracting many domestic and international participants each year.
There are 63 km and 31 km classic cross-country tracks, an Open Track race, a Relay Marathon, and races for children. You can also participate in the marathon virtually whenever and wherever you want!
Tartu Marathon, held in Tartu and Otepää, is part of the Worldloppet, Estoloppet, and Russialoppet calendars, as well as the professional series Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour.
BMW IBU Biathlon World Cup Stage
March 12-15 2026
Biathlon, a sport that combines shooting and cross-country skiing, holds a special place in Estonia’s winter sports scene. Tehvandi Sports Center in Otepää, Estonia's so-called "winter capital", hosts international World Cup events and trains elite athletes. Estonian fans fill the stands even in freezing temperatures.
There are two important upcoming biathlon events in Estonia: the BMW IBU World Cup in March 2026 and the BMW IBU World Championships in February 2027.
Tallinn Music Week
9-12 April 2026
Tallinn Music Week (TMW) is the largest indoor music festival in the Nordic and Baltic regions, featuring nearly 200 Estonian and foreign artists from various musical genres.
About 25,000 people from Estonia and abroad will participate in the festival in Tallinn. In addition to the main events, which take place at the city's most important clubs and concert venues, Tallinn Music Week also introduces lesser-known sides of the city. Stage concerts, the TMW Stories series, the restaurant festival TMW Tastes, and the contemporary art program TMW Art will take place at venues all over Tallinn.
Jazzkaar
25 April - 2 May 2026
Jazzkaar is an international jazz festival that has been taking place in Tallinn for more than 20 years and is the largest of its kind in the Baltics. In addition to the main event in April, you will be able to listen to Christmas Jazz in December, filling churches, concert halls, and clubs with beautiful jazz music at the end of November and the beginning of December. They also organize Winter Jazz and Autumn Jazz concert seasons.
European Disc Golf Festival
16-21 June 2026
The Tallinn Song Festival Grounds transform into a disc golf haven as top players from around the globe come together to take on the challenging course. But the fun doesn't stop there – there's a bustling vendor village, late-night performances, and an abundance of delicious food and drinks to keep the energy high throughout the festival.
FIA WRC Delfi Rally Estonia
16-19 July 2026
The most extreme event of the summer is the WRC Rally, which covers almost the whole of South Estonia. In 2025, it was a stage of the World Rally Championship, which Estonia got the right to organize only a few years ago. These high-level competitions bring the world's top racers and a large number of foreign tourists to Estonia. Through TV and the Internet, our small country, with its beautiful nature, reaches millions of people around the world.
I Land Sound
16-19 July 2026
I Land Sound is the ultimate summer electronic music festival. Island vibes, long days, the sea breeze, and the calming natural landscape all add up to one unforgettable festival experience. The event takes place on Saaremaa in the small town of Orissaare, right after the causeway that crosses the strait between Saaremaa and Muhu Island.
Saaremaa Opera Festival
18-25 July 2026
The Saaremaa Opera Festival is the most popular opera festival in the Baltics. This festival takes place in mid-summer in the courtyard of the historic Bishop's Castle in Kuressaare, the island's capital. A temporary opera house with 2,000 seats is built for this purpose.
Viljandi Folk Music Festival
23-26 July 2026
Viljandi Folk is not just a cool festival – it also has a mission. In a concentrated, renewed, yet authentic form, it brings us the ancestral instrumental and musical styles that would otherwise be lost in modern society. It is arguably Estonia's top music festival, bringing together tens of thousands of people every summer. The town of Viljandi itself is worth visiting – the high castle hills, the lake, the coziness of a small town, and the festival's energy make for an invigorating weekend.
Bluesfest "Augustibluus"
31 July to 2 August 2026
Haapsalu Castle provides a stunning backdrop for the "Augustibluus" Bluesfest. Big names from the United States, the birthplace of the blues, and European artists grace the main stage while other musicians take their shows to the streets and open-air cafes. The program also offers workshops, exhibitions, and acoustic concerts in the town's old railway station.
Tallinn Fringe Festival
18 August to 18 September 2026
Tallinn Fringe Festival is a large celebration of the arts that takes place every August and September in Estonia's capital. This annual open-access arts festival brings international and local artists together in various venues across Tallinn. Like similar festivals worldwide, this fringe festival supports emerging and established artists as the curation process is between the venue and the performer; the festival itself does not choose who features in the program. The shows feature a wide range of performing arts, including theatre, dance, music, circus, spoken word, visual art, comedy, and multi-genre mixes.
Tallinn Marathon
11-13 September 2026
The Tallinn Marathon is a major national sports event held every autumn. In addition to the full-length marathon, you can participate in the half marathon and run or walk the 10 km course. The competition, which has been held for more than 20 years, has changed its routes over the years. In the early years, it went along Pirita Road, but now the course passes through Põhja-Tallinn, making for an exciting way to explore the city's diverse neighborhoods.
PÖFF (Black Nights Film Festival)
6-22 November 2026
The Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) is the largest film festival in northern Europe. With hundreds of feature films and shorts to choose from, it is the most highly anticipated event during autumn's long, dark nights. Thousands of filmmakers, actors, journalists, and film aficionados come to Tallinn to enjoy the films, parties, talks, and events that take place over the space of two weeks.
And coming up in 2027...
Song and Dance Celebration
2-4 July 2027: XIV Youth Song and Dance Celebration
The atmosphere of this festival is indescribable. It can be fully experienced only in person – whether as a singer, dancer, or spectator. Tens of thousands of spectators and performers fill every last spot of Tallinn's purpose-built Song Festival Grounds. If you plan on joining the fun, make your travel and accommodation arrangements early as places fill up.
In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are many other exciting events in Estonia...
...for all ages, all year round!
FAQ
What events is Estonia known for?
Estonia's Song and Dance Celebration takes place every five years, while Tallinn Music Week and Viljandi Folk Festival are two of the most popular music events in the country. The country welcomes international competitors throughout the year to marathons, ski races, and rally events.
What sports events are held in Estonia?
The nation's cold winters create ideal conditions for winter sports. The Tartu Ski Marathon is Northern Europe's largest ski event, and Otepää regularly hosts biathlon competitions. Rally Estonia attracts tens of thousands of spectators to South Estonia in the summer.
What music events take place in Estonia?
The country hosts three major music festivals: Tallinn Music Week, a contemporary music festival; Viljandi Folk Music Festival; and the Saaremaa Opera Festival, featuring classical performances by international artists.
What cultural events are popular in Estonia?
The Song and Dance Celebration is a major cultural event, while there are also many regional folk festivals and seasonal fairs, such as the Onion Route Buffet Day and Tallinn's Christmas market. Events in Estonia offer visitors the opportunity to experience Estonian customs, purchase handmade products, and try local cuisine.
When is the best time to visit Estonia for events?
The summer months are packed with festivals and outdoor events, including musical and folk events, sports competitions, and marathons. However, Estonia welcomes visitors year-round, as it is a great destination for winter sports and Christmas markets.
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Last updated
03.02.2026