Midsummer's Eve "When the village folk came together"
Midsummer.
23 June 2025 from 19.00 to 00:00
This year in the Open Air Museum, we will travel in time to Midsummer’s Eve celebrations of different time periods when special deeds were accomplished with joint efforts. The performers to set the mood for dancing include Kukerpillid, Leigarid, Tabasalu Brass and others.
As usual, the evening will start with a festive parade from the museum’s main gate. Leigarid will be leading the singing procession to the Swing Square on the shore, where we will light our big Midsummer bonfire.
The Village Square is where Leigarid are the life of the celebration with their songs, dancing, games and spectacular folk costumes representing various parishes of Estonia.
Buildings that have a Midsummer Eve program will be open until 11 PM.
Köstriaseme farm. It is
the year 1896, and the owner is getting ready to go to Tallinn for the song
festival, which celebrates the coronation day of Nicholas II. He hasn’t had
much time to practice because early summer means plenty of work on the farm,
but one must go to this big celebration! His wife would also like to go, but
who would then stay and look after the household? The whole family sits down
for a meal together before he leaves for the capital.
Härjapea talu. It is 1933,
and the tenth, jubilee song festival is held in Tallinn. The hostess, who sings
in Mäetaguse choir, is excited about going to the festival. She has prepared
her handmade folk costume and is now packing some snacks for the road and talking
about how one can get to Tallinn by train.
Kuie school: it is 1935, and you can see the first celebration of the
Year of Estonian Book. The villagers have gathered for a festive assembly.
There will be speeches from a number of associations, a quiz, a play
performance and a guest writer. You can even dance to the music of Tabasalu
Brass.
Kolkhoz apartment
building. It is the year 1988, and the idea of the
independence of Estonia has found its way to Sookuru collective farm. There was
a rally in Hirvepark in Tallinn a year earlier, the concept of self-managing
Estonia is in the air, and five national patriotic songs by Alo Mattiisen are
becoming more and more popular. All of it happened so fast and is hard to
believe! The dwellers of the building have hung out the Estonian tricolour
flag; they are singing new and old songs about homeland and planning to
organise a support group for the Popular Front of Estonia.
Jüri-Jaagu farm is where the former Muhu members of the Estonian Student
Construction Brigade are gathering, including their leader Jaagup Kuppar. They
recall the brigade’s song festival of 1991, when the Muhu section proved to be
on of the star performers. There are old construction brigade songs and fun
stories from the summer when the sovereignty of Estonia was restored.
Jüri-Jaagu farm is where you will find the heated Midsummer sauna and
learn how sauna whisks are made.
On Roosta farm, you can learn about the beliefs and signs related to Midsummer. Traditional games are played in the yard of Kolga farm. As always, the meeting of Dawn and Twilight will be celebrated at midnight.
Since the museum's parking lots cannot accommodate all cars, we recommend using public transportation or bicycles.
- Buses number 21 and 21B from Balti jaam and the city center bring you to the main gate of the museum (stop: Rocca al Mare).
- Driving back to the city (stop Rocca al Mare) bus No. 41.
- Bus number 21A from Väike-Õismäe also takes you to the main gate of the museum.
- From the city center, you can also take buses number 92 (night bus), 42, and 43 to the Zoo stop, and then take a 15-minute walk along the seaside road to the open-air museum.
- The front park near the main gate, the Tehasemaja parking lot, and the rear parking lot (approximately 800m towards Kakumäe) are open.
- You can bring your own bicycle to the museum or leave it in the bicycle parking lot in front of the ticket office.
- Rental scooters can be left in front of the ticket office.
Ticket offices are open on Midsummer's Eve:
- Main gate and ticket office until 23:00.
- Rear ticket office (approximately 800m towards Kakumäe) until 18:00-22:00.
The museum's farms and buildings are closed to visitors from 18:00 to 19:00 on that day.
NB! With the Museum Card, entry on June 23rd is only from 10 AM to 4 PM. On the evening of Midsummer's Day, the Museum Card is not valid for entry!