Estonia (EE)

Public holiday. New Year's Eve (uusaastaõhtu) is celebrated with fireworks — Tallinn Old Town and Vabaduse väljak (Freedom Square) host large public celebrations.

Estonia's most important national holiday — the anniversary of the declaration of independence on 24 February 1918. A major state ceremony at Tallinn's Freedom Square with military parade, presidential address, and state receptions. Blue, black, and white flags fly everywhere.

Public holiday. A solemn day in the Lutheran calendar. Most businesses close or operate reduced hours.

Easter Sunday — public holiday. Families gather; traditional Easter eggs (lihavõttemuna), often onion-skin dyed, are exchanged. Easter weekend is a major family holiday.

Easter Monday — public holiday. Part of the Easter long weekend.

May Day / Spring Day — public holiday. Celebrated as a spring festival in Estonia (rather than primarily Labour Day). Student fraternities (korporatsioonid) hold traditional cap-awarding ceremonies in Tartu on 1 May morning.

Whit Sunday — public holiday. 49 days after Easter.

Victory Day — commemorates the Estonian victory in the War of Independence (Battle of Võnnu, 23 June 1919 against Baltic German forces). Falls the day before Midsummer and the two celebrations are deeply intertwined. State ceremonies; bonfire lighting begins at sundown.

MOST IMPORTANT CULTURAL HOLIDAY. Jaanipäev (St. John's Day / Midsummer) is Estonia's most beloved celebration — bonfires (lõkked) burn across the country, families gather at their countryside homes or summer cottages, traditional foods are eaten, songs are sung, and the near-midnight sun barely sets. The June 23–24 weekend is when all of Estonia essentially goes on holiday. Expats: if ever invited to a Jaanipäev gathering in the countryside, do not miss it.