Tallinn's calendar is full of exciting events in the summer.
During the long bright summer days, there is something for everyone taking place in Tallinn – high-quality concerts and fun-filled festivals in the open air welcome visitors among other events.
Tallinn is the European Green Capital this year and since 2022, it permanently holds the title of UNESCO City of Music as well. Within the framework of both titles, special activities and programmes are organised for several events in Tallinn.
This summer, the UNESCO Cultural Heritage event celebrates the 60th anniversary of the first youth song and dance festival and brings together thousands of singers and dancers from hundreds of children's, youth and academic choirs across Estonia. The song and dance festival is an event that is definitely worth experiencing as it celebrates important values for the Estonian people – unity and love for our land, people and culture.
Every summer, Tallinn's medieval Old Town hosts many events and there are two beloved festivals that always bring joy to locals and visitors alike.
At the beginning of summer, from 2-4 June, Tallinn Old Town Days take place. The summer event, which has been organised for more than 20 years, fills the streets, courtyards and green areas of the old town with a varied and engaging programme. This year's guiding principle of the festival "Fresh View" focuses on community culture and the Old Town as a sustainable urban space.
A month later, from 6-9 July, Medieval Days will take over the old town and the heart of Tallinn will once again become a flourishing Hanseatic city. During the four days, you can participate in fun workshops teaching medieval skills, try your hand at sword fighting and other games of skill and strength, cheer at a medieval procession and many great shows and concerts.
From 18 August to 18 September, the annual Tallinn Fringe Festival will take place in several locations around the city, which will bring together many domestic and international artists. The goal of the open-access festival, which is now in its seventh year, is to bring different types of non-mainstream arts to the public.
Tallinn has always been a sea city, which makes it appropriate that several of our most important cultural events take place on the seaside and are connected to the sea.
Everyone who wants to experience a genuine Estonian Midsummer's Eve party should participate in the Estonian Open Air Museum's midsummer celebration. At the event, you can enjoy the tunes of Estonian folk musicians, eat delicious Midsummer party food and take part in traditional folk games.
The Tallinn Maritime Days is a sea festival that has become a tradition, where Tallinn’s residents and visitors can enjoy concerts, an exciting entertainment and sports programme and explore the wonderful guest ships that arrive in Tallinn Bay during the Maritime Days.
The popular SUME music festival taking place in Kadriorg Park this summer brings many international and domestic artists to Tallinn. Enjoy nice summer evenings by the seaside in Kadriorg with good music and delicious food as exciting pop-up restaurants will be opened during the festival as well.
The acclaimed international musical theatre event Birgitta Festival is held every August in the ruins of the Pirita Convent. Its seaside location and historical atmosphere add a special magic to the high-quality performances of the festival.
There is a lot going on in Tallinn in the summer! It is probably hard to find a day when there isn't a concert or festival taking place in the city. You can find a list of events in Tallinn in our events calendar, where you can filter events by date and topic.