Public Holidays in Estonia
Statutory public holidays in Estonia, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Estonia at a glance
Estonia’s public holidays centre on Independence Day on 24 February and the midsummer Jaanipaev on 24 June, alongside Lutheran feast days. Victory Day on 23 June is also marked.
Midsummer is the biggest celebration, when the country empties into gardens and islands for the shortest night of the year.
Estonia public holidays 2026
Estonia has 12 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Independence Day | Feb 24Tue | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | National |
| May Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Pentecost | May 24Sun | National |
| Victory Day | Jun 23Tue | National |
| Midsummer Day | Jun 24Wed | National |
| Independence Restoration Day | Aug 20Thu | National |
| Christmas Eve | Dec 24Thu | National |
| Christmas Day | Dec 25Fri | National |
| Second Day of Christmas | Dec 26Sat | National |
Showing 12 of 12 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Estonia
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Estonia.
Tallinn
A UNESCO old town of spires and merchant houses beside a modern tech quarter.
Tartu
Estonia's intellectual capital, with a hilltop cathedral and river cafes.
Parnu
A beach city on the Gulf of Riga, full of spas and summer terrace life.
Narva
A border city facing Russia across a river, dominated by a medieval castle.
Viljandi
A small town of a ruined castle, lake and a famous folk music festival.
Top attractions in Estonia
The places that draw most visitors to Estonia.
Tallinn Old Town
A preserved Hanseatic town of walls, guild halls and cobbled squares.
Lahemaa National Park
Bogs, forest and manor houses along a deeply indented coast.
Saaremaa
Estonia's largest island, with windmills, a castle and crater lakes.
Alutaguse
A vast forest and bog region in the northeast, rich in bear and lynx.
Kuressaare Castle
A well-preserved bishop's castle on Saaremaa, now a museum.
Parnu Beach
A broad shallow beach and promenade, the summer centre of the country.
Festivals, food and getting around Estonia
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Epiphany
Falls on Jan 6
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Anniversary of Tartu Peace Treaty
Falls on Feb 2
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Independence Day
Falls on Feb 24
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Mother Tongue Day
Falls on Mar 14
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March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
Food & drink
Getting around
Buses reach nearly everywhere; ferries link the western islands and digital ticketing covers most regional travel.
Travelling around Estonia’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Estonia tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Estonia's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Estonia public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Estonia have?
Estonia has 12 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Estonia is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Estonia's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Estonia typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Estonia?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Estonia?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Estonia
School term dates in Estonia
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.