Estonia Independence Day 2027

When

24 February 2027

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Where

Estonia

EstoniaEstonia

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About the event

Why Estonia celebrates 24 February On 24 February 1918, the Estonian Salvation Committee proclaimed the Republic of Estonia in Tallinn — just as German forces were advancing and before the Bolsheviks could regain control.

Estonia's mass choral song festival — up to 30,000 singers performing on a single stage, a UNESCO-listed tradition.

Why this day

On 24 February 1918, the Estonian Salvation Committee proclaimed the Republic of Estonia in Tallinn — just as German forces were advancing and before the Bolsheviks could regain control. The declaration was brief and the republic faced immediate threats, but it marked the birth of the Estonian nation-state and the date became the founding anniversary.

The republic survived until 1940, when Soviet forces occupied Estonia following the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Estonia was incorporated into the Soviet Union and independence was suppressed for 50 years. The memory of the 1918-1940 republic was maintained by the Estonian government in exile and by communities in the West, preserving legal continuity of the state.

When independence was restored in 1991 during the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Estonia chose to restore the original republic rather than establish a new state — reinforcing the legal and historical continuity. Today, 24 February is marked with the flag being raised on Toompea Hill in Tallinn at sunrise, a military parade and evening concerts.

Timeline
  • 1918Estonia declares independence from both Russia and Germany
  • 1940Soviet occupation — independence suppressed for 50 years
  • 1991Independence restored — Estonia becomes first Baltic state to break free
Stay for the event

Check-in 23 Feb, check-out 25 Feb 2027 — 2 nights around 24 February 2027. Change the dates to stay longer.

AREA

Find stays in Tallinn
Getting there
  • Celebratednationwide
  • CapitalTallinn
  • Time zoneEET (UTC+2)
Host country
  • Currency: euro
  • Language: Estonian
  • Driving: on the right
  • Capital: Tallinn
  • Phone: +372
  • Emergency: 112
  • Electricity: 230 V, 50 Hz, plugs C/F
What to eat
Sült

Cold jellied pork — a traditional cold cut served at celebrations, sliced and eaten with mustard.

Mulgikapsad

Slow-braised sauerkraut with barley and pork — a warming Estonian staple from the south of the country.

Verivorst

Blood sausage — a Christmas and winter tradition eaten with sauerkraut and cranberry jam.

Kiluvõileib

Open-faced bread with spiced Baltic sprat — the Estonian version of the Scandinavian smørrebrød.

Kama

Roasted grain flour mixed with buttermilk or kefir — an ancient Estonian food eaten for breakfast or dessert.

Kohuke

Sweet quark cheese bar coated in chocolate — Estonia's most loved everyday snack.

What to drink
Vana Tallinn

Spiced liqueur with a rum base — Estonia's best-known spirit, often added to coffee or cream.

Saku beer

Estonia's leading beer brand — light lager brewed in Tallinn since 1820.

Kefir

Fermented milk drink — consumed daily as a health drink throughout Estonia and the Baltic states.

Culture & traditions
Laulupidu Song Festival

Estonia's mass choral song festival — up to 30,000 singers performing on a single stage, a UNESCO-listed tradition.

Toompea Hill ceremony

Tallinn's ancient hilltop fortress is where the flag is raised at dawn on Independence Day.

Sauna culture

The Estonian sauna — löylysaun — is central to social and family life, used for relaxation and celebration.

Digital state

Estonia was the first country to offer e-residency and runs elections online — its digital governance model is studied worldwide.

Coming years

Estonia Independence Day 2028

  • Thursday 24 February 2028Next event date

Estonia Independence Day 2029

  • Saturday 24 February 2029Event date

Estonia Independence Day 2030

  • Sunday 24 February 2030Event date