The XXVIII Song and XXI Dance Celebration “Iseoma” (“Kinship”) will take place from July 3rd to 6th, 2025. It is a traditional national event that covers the whole of Estonia, featuring over 40,000 choir singers, orchestral musicians, folk dancers, and folk musicians. More than 100,000 spectators gather to witness three dance performances, one folk music concert, and two concerts of the song festival. The procession of the song festival, which takes place on July 5th before the opening concert, is also very popular. The procession follows a 5-kilometer route from the center of Tallinn to the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds.
The song festival consists of two different concerts. The opening concert, following the ceremonial lighting of the song festival flame and featuring a selection of choirs, takes place on Saturday, July 5th.
The grand concert of the song festival will be held on Sunday, July 6th. Various choirs, wind orchestras, and symphony orchestras will perform 40 musical pieces during the concert, which lasts approximately 7 hours. Both concerts will take place at the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds (https://www.lauluvaljak.ee/en), outdoors, so spectators should be prepared for various weather conditions. Umbrellas are not allowed as they obstruct the view of other spectators.
You can find the song festival program here: (https://2025.laulupidu.ee/laulupidu/laulupeo-repertuaar/)
The procession in the center of Tallinn and the folk music concert (on July 4th at Vabaduse Square in Tallinn) are free events. They can be attended free of charge.
The three dance performances of the dance festival are identical. They tell the story of a family reunion. Approximately 10,000 dancers, dressed in folk costumes, perform on the Tallinn Kalev Central Stadium (https://staadion.eestikalev.ee), creating beautiful colorful human patterns during the performances.
The performances take place outdoors, so spectators should be prepared for various weather conditions. Umbrellas are not allowed as they obstruct the view of other spectators. There are 10,000 tickets available for each performance, and since the number of seats is limited and the dance performances are popular, tickets usually sell out quickly.
The performances will take place on July 3rd and 4th. You can find the dance festival program here: [https://2025.laulupidu.ee/tantsupidu/tantsupeo-repertuaar/]
Right on the Tartu's Town Hall Square, there are two souvenir/craft stores conveniently in the centre of the square: Saare Hobu Käsitööpood (address Raekoja Plats 8) and the Rae Käsitöö (address Küüni 2). Saare Hobu craftshop sells sheep wool rugs and slippers. From Rae craft shop, you are able to buy everything related to Tartu and Estonia.
If you are interested in local sweets then Kalevi kommipood (candyshop) is the place to go. There’s probably no home in Estonia without something from Kalev. Young or old, from the countryside or the city. Kalev is an inseparable part of Estonian life and its sweet moments – for enjoying yourself, sharing with family, gifting to a friend, or bringing as a treat abroad. Kalev carries on the best traditions of confectionery making, which began as early as 1806 in Tallinn’s Old Town at the current location of the Maiasmokk café. You are welcome to visit the shop on the address Küüni 4, Tartu (1 minute walking from the Town Hall Square).
According to a report on The Air We Breathe by the World Population Review, Estonia has been found to have the cleanest air and the lowest emissions.
Based on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which looks at factors like greenhouse emissions, CO2, achievements on carbon-negative status, methane, implementation of environmental policies and the extension of forests, renewable energy sources and rainforests, Estonia is the number one spot.
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