Additional programme

THURSDAY, July 23

SÕPRADE HOOV
Lossi 6
THU 13.00–23.00

Sõprade Hoov (friends’ yard) is where good friends, happy tunes and cosy atmosphere meet! In addition to the village party atmosphere, there will be food and drinks available. Entry to the Old Town area and Sõprade Hoov is free. Come and experience this delightful old-time village buzz!
Read more HERE. 

Green Stage
Johan Laidoner Square

THU 23.07 at 15.00–23.00

The Green Stage is located in the heart of the Old Town area. This cosy concert stage offers a varied and captivating selection of traditional music every day. In addition to listening to the great music, you can also dance and learn some interesting new moves, because the programme includes dance school workshops.
Read more HERE.

CHILDREN’S AREA
St. John’s churchyard
THU 23.07 at 13.00–22.00

On the lawn beside St. John's Church, you'll find a children's area featuring a fun and imaginative playground designed to spark creativity and play. This year, we've also invited puppet makers, wreath crafters, and hair-braiding artists to join the festivities, offering hands-on creative activities throughout the festival. With plenty of opportunities for crafting, exploring, and play, there's something to inspire visitors of all ages.
Read more HERE.

Instrument Village
Next to St. John's Church on Pikk Street
THU 23.07 at 16–20

For this year’s festival theme, “To Each Their Own Instrument” a new area called the Instrument Village is being opened for the first time at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival. It is a place where complete beginners, people with some playing experience, and more advanced players can all take part in workshops and group jam sessions. For those who have visited the Garmonteque in previous years, the format will already feel familiar. However, the Instrument Village is much larger: in addition to garmons and accordions, there will also be Jew’s harps, bagpipes, kannels, talharpas, fiddles, and mandolins.

The workshop content varies as well. Alongside learning to play, participants can also get to know how the instruments are built and maintained, and learn, for example, how to play for dancing. For example, under the guidance of talharpa leaders, participants can learn new tunes, play together with experienced musicians, maintain their instruments with a master’s help, and meet musicians who are passionate about the talharpa. In the mornings, newcomers are also welcome to get acquainted with instruments and make their first bow strokes with the help of an experienced teacher.

Group leaders: Helle Suurlaht (kannel), Liisa Koemets (talharpa), Marta-Helene Hansing (violin), Tanel Jaanimäe (garmon and accordion), Jaagup Kippar (bagpipe and Jew’s harp).
Read more HERE.

Dance House
Traditional Music Centre
THU at 23.00–03.00

The Dance House starts at midnight and is full of vibrant, energetic music, guaranteed to get everyone dancing! From Thursday to Saturday, various wonderful folk musicians take the stage and play dance music for four hours. Come and dance!
Artists playing at the Dance House: Tormi Rattasepp, Alamakstud Härrad, Regina Mänd & Oscar Beerten, Kaks matsi, kes hiilisid lavale.

FIRDAY, July 24

SÕPRADE HOOV
Lossi 6
FRI 24.07 at 13.00–23.00

Sõprade Hoov (friends’ yard) is where good friends, happy tunes and cosy atmosphere meet! In addition to the village party atmosphere, there will be food and drinks available. Entry to the Old Town area and Sõprade Hoov is free. Come and experience this delightful old-time village buzz!
Read more HERE.

Green Stage
Johan Laidoner Square

FRI 24.07 at 13.00–23.00

The Green Stage is located in the heart of the Old Town area. This cosy concert stage offers a varied and captivating selection of traditional music every day. In addition to listening to the great music, you can also dance and learn some interesting new moves, because the programme includes dance school workshops.
Read more HERE.

CHILDREN’S AREA
St. John’s churchyard
FRI 24.07 at 12.00–22.00

On the lawn beside St. John's Church, you'll find a children's area featuring a fun and imaginative playground designed to spark creativity and play. This year, we've also invited puppet makers, wreath crafters, and hair-braiding artists to join the festivities, offering hands-on creative activities throughout the festival. With plenty of opportunities for crafting, exploring, and play, there's something to inspire visitors of all ages.
Read more HERE.

Instrument Village
Next to St. John's Church on Pikk Street
FRI 24.07 at 11–20

For this year’s festival theme, “To Each Their Own Instrument” a new area called the Instrument Village is being opened for the first time at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival. It is a place where complete beginners, people with some playing experience, and more advanced players can all take part in workshops and group jam sessions. For those who have visited the Garmonteque in previous years, the format will already feel familiar. However, the Instrument Village is much larger: in addition to garmons and accordions, there will also be Jew’s harps, bagpipes, kannels, talharpas, fiddles, and mandolins.

The workshop content varies as well. Alongside learning to play, participants can also get to know how the instruments are built and maintained, and learn, for example, how to play for dancing. For example, under the guidance of talharpa leaders, participants can learn new tunes, play together with experienced musicians, maintain their instruments with a master’s help, and meet musicians who are passionate about the talharpa. In the mornings, newcomers are also welcome to get acquainted with instruments and make their first bow strokes with the help of an experienced teacher.

Group leaders: Helle Suurlaht (kannel), Liisa Koemets (talharpa), Marta-Helene Hansing (violin), Tanel Jaanimäe (garmon and accordion), Jaagup Kippar (bagpipe and Jew’s harp).
Read more HERE.

Dance House
Traditional Music Centre
FRI at 00.00–04.00

The Dance House starts at midnight and is full of vibrant, energetic music, guaranteed to get everyone dancing! From Thursday to Saturday, various wonderful folk musicians take the stage and play dance music for four hours. Come and dance!
Artists playing at the Dance House: EMTA seltskonnatantsud, HRAYBERY; Antra&Mattias // Marta Helene Hansing & Emma Lotta Kiviberg, Pljaaska trio ja Kargutajad.

SPORTING EVENTS 
Lake Viljandi beach

FRI 24.07 at 10.00 Viljandi 24 h volley marathon

On Friday, the volleyball marathon kicks off and will last a total of 24 hours.

FRI 24.07 at 14.00 Folk boatsman aka rowing competition

A rowing competition for pairs on the Lake Viljandi, registration on spot.

FRI 24.07 – SUN 26.07 Folk & Padel.

From Friday to Sunday, padel and folk music enthusiasts can take part in a series of one-day padel tournaments. Over the course of three days, participants will compete in different skill divisions and play a lot of padel. Competitors can enter men's, women's, or mixed doubles.

Read more HERE. 

SUNSET SPRING HIKE
in front of the Kondas Centre

FRI 24.07 at 20.00

This hike takes you to the springs of Viljandi. We’ll talk about water and taste the water. The festival’s theme “To Each Their Own Instrument” naturally flows into the hike’s spirit. If we’re already out in nature, then everyone should have their own instrument too. Some people bring an instrument along on the hike, while others find one in nature itself, for example, a leaf instrument or a whistle made from a stem of grass. Or we can grab a knife and carve a reed flute. An instrument for everyone!

The spring hike lasts until sunset. The guide is the man of nature Peep Tobreluts.
Read more HERE. 

MIDNIGHT HIKE
starts in front of the Kondas Centre

SAT 25.07 at 01.00 (on the second festival night after the Friday programme has ended)

The hike begins at 1 a.m. and is more of a quiet glide – moving as silently as possible. Let’s walk through the sleeping town and discover the old and the new in the old town, from below and above. We may notice a ringing button or a shimmering tree … On the night walk, we won’t play any instruments, because the town is asleep. More or less. For some, by that hour it’s already time to say, “the instrument has had its day.” But perhaps a quiet wandering is exactly what opens the senses and lets an inner song out?

We’ll make no noise! The guide is the man of nature Peep Tobreluts.
Read more HERE.

Museum courtyard

FRI 24.07 Courtyard of Viljandi Museum, Lossi 14

The courtyard of the Viljandi Museum offers a perfect dose of discovery, play, and inspiration alongside the folk festival atmosphere. On two festival days, visitors of all ages can enjoy attractions, hands-on activities, and engaging presentations. Museums from across Estonia will be present! This year, members of the Estonian Association of Major Attractions are also represented: the Tallinn TV Tower, the Ice Age Centre, and the AHHAA Science Centre.

On Friday at 15.30 everyone is welcome to attend a recording of a Night University lecture. The discussion will focus on the fascinating life and legacy of Johann Köler, Estonia’s first professional artist.

Come and let the museum courtyard surprise you!
Read more HERE.

SATURDAY, July 25

SÕPRADE HOOV
Lossi 6
SAT 25.07 at 13.00–23.00

Sõprade Hoov (friends’ yard) is where good friends, happy tunes and cosy atmosphere meet! In addition to the village party atmosphere, there will be food and drinks available. Entry to the Old Town area and Sõprade Hoov is free. Come and experience this delightful old-time village buzz!
Read more HERE.

Green Stage
Johan Laidoner Square

SAT 25.07 at 13.00–23.00

The Green Stage is located in the heart of the Old Town area. This cosy concert stage offers a varied and captivating selection of traditional music every day. In addition to listening to the great music, you can also dance and learn some interesting new moves, because the programme includes dance school workshops.
Read more HERE.

CHILDREN’S AREA
St. John’s churchyard
SAT 25.07 at 12.00–22.00

On the lawn beside St. John's Church, you'll find a children's area featuring a fun and imaginative playground designed to spark creativity and play. This year, we've also invited puppet makers, wreath crafters, and hair-braiding artists to join the festivities, offering hands-on creative activities throughout the festival. With plenty of opportunities for crafting, exploring, and play, there's something to inspire visitors of all ages.
Read more HERE.

Instrument Village
Next to St. John's Church on Pikk Street
SAT 25.07 at 11–20

For this year’s festival theme, “To Each Their Own Instrument” a new area called the Instrument Village is being opened for the first time at the Viljandi Folk Music Festival. It is a place where complete beginners, people with some playing experience, and more advanced players can all take part in workshops and group jam sessions. For those who have visited the Garmonteque in previous years, the format will already feel familiar. However, the Instrument Village is much larger: in addition to garmons and accordions, there will also be Jew’s harps, bagpipes, kannels, talharpas, fiddles, and mandolins.

The workshop content varies as well. Alongside learning to play, participants can also get to know how the instruments are built and maintained, and learn, for example, how to play for dancing. For example, under the guidance of talharpa leaders, participants can learn new tunes, play together with experienced musicians, maintain their instruments with a master’s help, and meet musicians who are passionate about the talharpa. In the mornings, newcomers are also welcome to get acquainted with instruments and make their first bow strokes with the help of an experienced teacher.

Group leaders: Helle Suurlaht (kannel), Liisa Koemets (talharpa), Marta-Helene Hansing (violin), Tanel Jaanimäe (garmon and accordion), Jaagup Kippar (bagpipe and Jew’s harp).
Read more HERE.

Dance House
Traditional Music Centre
SAT at 00.00–04.00

The Dance House starts at midnight and is full of vibrant, energetic music, guaranteed to get everyone dancing! From Thursday to Saturday, various wonderful folk musicians take the stage and play dance music for four hours. Come and dance!
Artists playing at the Dance House: Three Splinters, HRAYBERY; Antra&Mattias // Marta Helene Hansing & Emma Lotta Kiviberg, Hypnosis Negative ja Jätsid.

SPORTING EVENTS
Lake Viljandi beach

SAT 25.07 at 10.00 Folk petanque aka petanque tournament for pairs. (Registration on spot.)

Read more HERE. 

Museum courtyard

SAT 25.07 Courtyard of Viljandi Museum, Lossi 14

The courtyard of the Viljandi Museum offers a perfect dose of discovery, play, and inspiration alongside the folk festival atmosphere. On two festival days, visitors of all ages can enjoy attractions, hands-on activities, and engaging presentations. Museums from across Estonia will be present! This year, members of the Estonian Association of Major Attractions are also represented: the Tallinn TV Tower, the Ice Age Centre, and the AHHAA Science Centre.

Come and let the museum courtyard surprise you!
Read more HERE.

SUNDAY, July 26