jõululaupäev

Jõululaupäev, or Christmas Eve, is celebrated in Estonia on 24 December, the evening before Christmas Day. It is the central festive occasion of the Estonian Christmas season and a focal point for family gatherings.

Families often come together at home for a special dinner, decorate the Christmas tree, and exchange gifts. Many people attend a church service in the evening, and it is common to light candles and sing Christmas carols.

The Christmas Eve meal is a key part of the celebration. A typical menu includes fish such as herring or sprat, a meat dish (often pork), potatoes, and a cabbage or beetroot salad such as rosolje. Dishes and desserts vary by family and region, with gingerbread cookies (piparkoogid) being a popular sweet.

After the meal, presents are exchanged, and the evening may include further carol singing or quiet time with relatives. Some people attend a midnight church service as part of the Christmas observances.

Jõululaupäev marks the main pre-Christmas celebration in Estonia and is followed by Christmas Day on 25 December. The day is part of the broader Baltic and Northern European Christmas customs, combining family, food, and religious traditions.