jaanipäev
Jaanipäev, or St. John’s Day in Estonia, is a traditional midsummer festival that marks the height of summer. The celebrations take place on the eve of St. John’s Day, Jaaniõhtu, on 23 June, and continue on Jaanipäev, 24 June. The holiday has both ancient folk roots and Christian associations, and it remains one of the country’s most prominent summer festivities.
Central to Jaanipäev are bonfires, which are lit in many towns and villages and near shorelines. People
Modern observance in Estonia is nationwide, though the scale and style vary—from village feasts with traditional
Name and terminology: Jaanipäev translates as John’s Day, reflecting the June 24 date of the feast of