Events

On Sundays of the summer months, once every two weeks, the ladies interested in national handicraft meet at the shop and cafe on Pikk Street 2. They do fancywork, share handicraft practices and knowledge and have a pleasant conversation about life over a cup of coffee and a delicious piece of cake.

On the Day of Rose History we will give an overview of the historical typs of roses and their common representatives in Estonia. We will talk about the rose breeding in Estonia, introduce our rose breeders and local rose assortments. There is an exhibition of roses and sale of rose plants.

In the middle of the harvest time we welcome everybody interested in traditional Estonian food. The hero of the day is home-made rye bread which can be called the king of our food. On Estonian Bread Day we take a look at how bread is made starting from threshing and grinding grain and finishing with how the bread is eaten. Other older Estonian dishes are also introduced. Tasty Estonian food and authentic handicraft can be bought from the autumn fair.

September 29th is the day we finish our chores outside and start working indoors. We are celebrating Michaelmas Day with a sermon at Sutlepa chapel. It is also the first day of The Estonian Open Air Museum’s winter season and the entry is free for everyone!

When all the field labour and cattle chores are done, it is time to celebrate. In the beginning of October we invite Seto and Peipus-Russian communities to take a breath and enjoy the fruits of their hard work.

St. Martin’s Day is one of the merriest and most colourful holidays in the Estonian folk calendar. On this day children and adults dress in old shabby coats, smear their faces with soot and go door to door singing songs, asking riddles and wishing good luck and happiness to the families.

In the Estonian folk calendar St. Catherine’s Day marks the beginning of indoor activities. Women as well as men dressed in beautiful white clothes, with their cheeks painted red with beetroot go trick-or-treating, i.e. collecting gifts in return for songs and blessings.

The villagers of the Estonian Open Air Museum have opened the doors to their houses to introduce the diff erent days celebrated over the Christmas season and the accompanying customs and traditions and, to share the holidays with all visitors.