Estonia Public Holidays
Estonia Public Holidays
Searching for the national holidays in Estonia? All public holidays in Estonia are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Estonia employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Estonia and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.
Estonia, a country with a rich cultural heritage and a complex history, celebrates a variety of public holidays that reflect its national identity, historical milestones, and religious traditions. Estonian public holidays are a blend of both national celebrations and religious observances, with some holidays rooted in the country’s struggle for independence and others tied to ancient pagan or Christian traditions. These holidays offer a time for Estonians to gather with family, reflect on their heritage, and celebrate their country’s sovereignty and culture.
Major National Public Holidays in Estonia
New Year’s Day (Uusaasta)
Date: January 1st
According to diseaseslearning.com, New Year’s Day in Estonia marks the beginning of a new calendar year. It is both a celebration of new beginnings and a day to reflect on the past year, much like in many other countries worldwide.
Significance
- Beginning of the year: New Year’s Day symbolizes renewal, optimism, and the hopes for prosperity and good health in the upcoming year.
- Global celebration: Although Estonia shares this holiday with much of the world, it is also a time for Estonians to enjoy their own unique traditions and festivities.
Celebrations
- Fireworks and gatherings: On New Year’s Eve, Estonians gather with friends and family for celebrations that culminate in fireworks displays across the country. Tallinn’s medieval Old Town is a particularly popular spot for New Year’s Eve festivities.
- Toasting the new year: At midnight, Estonians typically toast with champagne or sparkling wine, wishing each other “Head uut aastat!” (Happy New Year).
- Rest and family time: New Year’s Day is a day of rest, often spent with family, watching television, or enjoying a quiet meal.
Independence Day (Iseseisvuspäev)
Date: February 24th
Independence Day is one of the most important national holidays in Estonia, commemorating the country’s declaration of independence from Russia in 1918. This day marks the birth of the Republic of Estonia and is celebrated as a symbol of national sovereignty and unity.
Historical Significance
- 1918 declaration: Estonia declared its independence on February 24, 1918, during World War I, as the Russian Empire was collapsing. This date marks the establishment of the Estonian Republic.
- Restoration of independence: Although Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union during World War II, the country regained full independence in 1991. Independence Day thus honors both Estonia’s initial independence and its post-Soviet rebirth.
Observance
- Military parade: The day begins with a military parade in Tallinn, attended by the President and other government officials. The parade showcases the strength and unity of Estonia’s armed forces.
- Flag-raising ceremony: In towns and cities across Estonia, flag-raising ceremonies take place, often accompanied by the singing of the national anthem, “Mu isamaa, mu õnn ja rõõm” (My Fatherland, My Joy and Happiness).
- Presidential reception: In the evening, the President hosts a formal reception, attended by political leaders, diplomats, and cultural figures. The event is televised and watched by many Estonians.
Victory Day (Võidupüha)
Date: June 23rd
Victory Day commemorates the Battle of Võnnu (now Cēsis, Latvia) in 1919, during which Estonian forces defeated the German Landeswehr during the Estonian War of Independence. It celebrates Estonia’s military victories and honors those who fought for the country’s freedom.
Historical Importance
- War of Independence: The victory at Võnnu was a significant turning point in the Estonian War of Independence, which was fought against both Soviet Russia and German forces between 1918 and 1920.
- Symbol of sovereignty: Victory Day is a symbol of Estonia’s resilience and determination to secure and maintain its independence.
Celebrations
- Military parades: Like Independence Day, Victory Day is marked by military parades and public events. The President delivers a speech, and the national flag is raised to honor the victory.
- Bonfires and community gatherings: In many regions, especially in rural areas, bonfires are lit in the evening to celebrate the victory, a tradition that brings communities together.
- Link to Midsummer: Victory Day is closely associated with St. John’s Day (Jaanipäev), celebrated the following day, making the two days a joint celebration of national pride and traditional festivities.
St. John’s Day (Jaanipäev)
Date: June 24th
St. John’s Day, or Jaanipäev, is one of Estonia’s most beloved traditional holidays. It celebrates the summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year and the official start of summer. It is a time for bonfires, folk traditions, and joyful gatherings with family and friends.
Cultural Significance
- Pagan roots: Jaanipäev has ancient roots in pre-Christian pagan rituals, where the summer solstice was celebrated as a time of fertility, light, and the renewal of nature.
- Christian influence: Over time, the holiday became associated with the Christian feast of St. John the Baptist, although many of the pagan traditions have remained central to the celebrations.
Traditions and Celebrations
- Bonfires (Jaanituli): Bonfires are the centerpiece of St. John’s Day celebrations. People gather around large fires to sing, dance, and make merry late into the night. Jumping over the fire is a traditional activity, believed to bring good luck and protect against evil spirits.
- Outdoor feasts: Families and communities often host outdoor feasts, grilling meat and enjoying local delicacies, along with singing folk songs and playing games.
- Folklore and magic: According to tradition, the night of Jaanipäev is filled with magical properties. Young people often search for the mythical fern flower, believed to bring happiness and good fortune to the finder.
Estonian Restoration of Independence Day
Date: August 20th
Restoration of Independence Day celebrates the re-establishment of Estonia’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. This day marks the moment when Estonia regained its sovereignty after decades of Soviet occupation, following the peaceful Singing Revolution.
Historical Importance
- Singing Revolution: Estonia’s path to restored independence was characterized by a non-violent movement known as the Singing Revolution, where large public gatherings involved singing patriotic songs as a form of protest against Soviet rule.
- 1991 independence: On August 20, 1991, Estonia formally declared its independence from the Soviet Union. This day symbolizes the return of freedom and the beginning of a new era for the country.
Observance
- Official ceremonies: The day is marked by official government ceremonies, including speeches from political leaders and flag-raising events. Many Estonians take time to reflect on the importance of independence and the sacrifices made to achieve it.
- Public celebrations: Although quieter than the February Independence Day, August 20th is still celebrated with concerts, cultural events, and family gatherings.
Religious Public Holidays in Estonia
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Jõululaupäev and Esimene jõulupüha)
Dates: December 24th and 25th
Christmas is a major holiday in Estonia, combining Christian traditions with ancient pagan customs. While Christmas Day is officially observed, Christmas Eve is the primary day for family celebrations, making it one of the most important holidays of the year.
Religious and Cultural Significance
- Christian tradition: Christmas in Estonia celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, with religious services and family gatherings being central to the holiday.
- Pagan influences: Many Christmas customs, such as lighting candles and feasting, are influenced by pre-Christian winter solstice traditions.
Celebrations
- Christmas Eve dinner: Families gather for a festive dinner on Christmas Eve, featuring traditional Estonian dishes such as pork, blood sausage, sauerkraut, and potatoes. A special dessert, such as gingerbread cookies (piparkoogid), is often served.
- Church services: Many Estonians attend midnight Mass or Christmas services at their local church.
- Gift-giving: Presents are exchanged, often left by Jõuluvana (the Estonian version of Santa Claus) under the Christmas tree.
- Candlelight traditions: On Christmas Eve, it is customary to visit cemeteries and light candles on the graves of loved ones, honoring the memory of deceased family members.
Good Friday (Suur Reede) and Easter Sunday (Ülestõusmispüha)
Dates: Vary (Based on the Gregorian calendar)
Good Friday and Easter Sunday are important religious holidays in Estonia, observed by Christians to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Although Estonia is a largely secular country, these holidays are still celebrated, particularly among practicing Christians.
Religious Significance
- Good Friday: Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a solemn day of reflection and prayer.
- Easter Sunday: Celebrates the resurrection of Christ, symbolizing renewal, hope, and new life.
Observances
- Church services: Many Christians attend church services on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The services often feature special hymns and prayers.
- Easter traditions: While Easter is not as widely celebrated in Estonia as in some other countries, some traditional activities include decorating Easter eggs and preparing festive meals.
- Feasting: Easter is a time for families to gather and share meals, with dishes such as roast lamb, eggs, and various pastries forming a central part of the celebration.
Other Public Holidays in Estonia
International Workers’ Day (Töörahvapüha)
Date: May 1st
International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, is a global holiday celebrating the contributions of workers and advocating for labor rights. In Estonia, May Day is a public holiday dedicated to honoring the working class and highlighting issues related to labor and employment.
Significance
- Workers’ rights: The day promotes the rights of workers, emphasizing fair wages, safe working conditions, and the role of labor unions in protecting workers’ interests.
- Global solidarity: As part of an international movement, May Day celebrates workers’ solidarity and achievements worldwide.
Celebrations
- Public events and rallies: In larger cities like Tallinn, labor unions and political groups often organize public rallies or demonstrations in support of workers’ rights.
- Rest and relaxation: For many Estonians, May 1st is simply a day off from work, offering an opportunity to relax and enjoy the spring weather.
Midsummer’s Eve and St. John’s Day
Dates: June 23rd and 24th
Celebrated alongside Victory Day, Midsummer’s Eve and St. John’s Day are two of Estonia’s most traditional holidays, combining pagan solstice celebrations with Christian influences. St. John’s Day honors St. John the Baptist and marks the height of summer, while Midsummer’s Eve is steeped in ancient folk customs.
Cultural Significance
- Summer solstice: Midsummer’s Eve is closely linked to ancient pagan rituals celebrating the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, which was believed to hold magical powers.
- Christian observance: St. John’s Day was later introduced as a Christian celebration of St. John the Baptist, though many of the pagan elements persist.
Traditions
- Bonfires: Lighting bonfires on Midsummer’s Eve is a key tradition, symbolizing the sun’s power and the triumph of light over darkness. People gather around the fire to sing, dance, and celebrate late into the night.
- Nature and folklore: Midsummer is a time for picking flowers, making wreaths, and engaging in folk rituals thought to bring good fortune, love, and health.
- Feasting and merrymaking: Estonians enjoy large outdoor feasts during Midsummer, grilling meats and enjoying traditional foods with friends and family.
Boxing Day (Teine jõulupüha)
Date: December 26th
Boxing Day, also known as Teine jõulupüha, is the day after Christmas and is a continuation of the Christmas celebrations in Estonia. It is a time for relaxation, visiting extended family, and enjoying the festive season.
Significance
- Day of rest: Boxing Day is a public holiday that allows people to continue their Christmas celebrations, offering a day to rest after the excitement of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- Family gatherings: Many families use Boxing Day as an opportunity to visit relatives and friends they didn’t see on Christmas.
Traditions
- Relaxation and leisure: Unlike the busy festivities of Christmas Eve, Boxing Day is typically more laid-back, with families enjoying simple meals and quiet time together.
- Social visits: Many Estonians visit friends or family members on Boxing Day, extending the festive cheer.
