Traditions of Tallinn
A medieval Baltic city where the Song Festival gathers tens of thousands, and Midsummer Jaaniõhtu is celebrated with bonfires.
Tallinn is the capital of Estonia, a country known for its Singing Revolution. The Song Festival, laulupidu, held every five years, brings tens of thousands of singers to a bowl-shaped stage. Midsummer, on 23 June, is marked with bonfires, wreaths and swings. The city's medieval old town is well preserved.
Song Festival and Jaaniõhtu
In the Song Festival, a choir of about thirty thousand sings before an audience of tens of thousands. The tradition, inscribed by UNESCO, began in 1869. On Jaaniõhtu, families go to the country, light bonfires, and jump over them for luck, and wear flower wreaths. Estonians also keep the sauna tradition.
At the table
Black rye bread, sour cream, smoked fish, blood sausage, verivorst, and sauerkraut are served at Christmas. Kama, a mix of ground grains, and Kalev chocolates are loved. Kohuke, curd snack, and Vana Tallinn liqueur are popular. Soup, supp, is eaten daily.
Signature traditions of Tallinn
Also part of it, and being written: Estonian Song Festival (The song festival.), Jaaniõhtu (The midsummer.), Verivorst (The blood sausage.), Kama (The grain mix.).
A trail idea for Tallinn
- Town Hall Square See the market.
- Telliskivi Creative City See modern craft.
- Song Festival Grounds Visit the bowl.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Nothing matches those filters yet. Take one off, or check back: new traditions are written every day.