CELEBRATING ESTONIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Republic of Estonia is celebrating its 105th anniversary on 24 February. Several special public events will be taking place in Tallinn on this important state holiday. You should also take into consideration the temporary traffic restrictions in the city centre and the fact that several establishments and shops will be closed for the day. We recommend you check the opening hours and visiting info of the establishments you intend to visit.

Independence Day celebrations will begin with an official ceremony of the Estonian Parliament at the Governor’s Garden at 7:33 when the national flag will be raised on Pikk Hermann tower. This will be followed by speeches from the President of the Parliament and the Archbishop of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. A reading of the Estonian Declaration of Independence will also take place.

At 12:00, the military parade to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia will start in Tallinn on Freedom Square. The military parade will be presided over by the President of the Republic of Estonia and commanded by the Chief of the Estonian Defence Forces. The parade will include both Estonian and allied military units and equipment. In case of favourable weather, both Estonian and allied aircraft will fly over the parade.

Please note! During the parade and on the day preceding it, there will be traffic restrictions on Freedom Square, Toompea Street, Harju Street, Kaarli Avenue, Mere Avenue, Pärnu Road, Falgi Road, Kanuti Street, Inseneri Street, Vana Turu Street, Georg Otsa Street, Suur-Karja Street, Roosikrantsi Street, Tõnismäe Street, Estonia Avenue and Komandandi Road. 

Both the raising of the national flag and the military parade will be conducted in Estonian.

Museums and sights open on 24 February

Although several establishments and shops are closed on Independence Day, some museums are offering special programmes and several sightseeing objects will still open. The sightseeing card Tallinn Card has compiled a list of the open sightseeing objects and museum special programmes.