Lääne-Viru County boasts a vibrant cultural life at both professional and amateur levels. The courage and willingness to organize unique events, along with supportive infrastructure, have established the county’s reputation as a diverse event organizer. Events such as the Men’s Dance Festival, Night Run, Funkfest, Festheart in Rakvere, Crawfish Festival in Väike-Maarja, Sõmeru Rural Life Festival in Rakvere Parish, Viru Folk in Haljala, and the CADrina Festival in Kadrina — all of these and many other specia initiatives enliven the local community and offer memorable experiences for visitors!
Live and Work
Culture and Leisure
Rakvere Theatre
The people of Lääne-Viru can take pride in the presence of a professional theater.
Rakvere Theater, a professional theater established in 1940, features a repertoire including both Estonian and world drama, children’s productions, and contemporary experiments. Additionally, Rakvere Theater is known as a touring theater, performing across Estonia in both larger and smaller venues.
The theater complex also includes a 144-seat Theater Cinema, where both mainstream and art films can be viewed. The theater café offers warm lunches and hosts concerts, while the Theater Gallery features changing exhibitions every month.
Performances are held in the 411-seat main hall, which features a classic Italian stage, as well as in the small house’s black box, accommodating 118 viewers. Every year, Rakvere hosts the international performing arts festival Baltoscandal.
Once a month, the Saturday matinées of selected plays take place, catering to visitors from afar and those relying on public transportation
Rakvere Theater, in collaboration with various hotels and guesthouses in the region, offers packages that include theater tickets and affordable accommodation.
Additionally, the Rakvere Theater complex, established in an old manor, invites various events. It features versatile spaces, professional sound and lighting equipment, and catering services provided by the theater café.
Manors of Lahemaa
Did you know that according to Estonian Manor Portal, Lääne-Viru County is the richest county in Estonia in terms of manor houses? A large number of those 156 manors are still in use in one way or another. Located in the embrace of the National Park Lahemaa, the most notable and beautiful manors are Palmse, Sagadi, and Vihula. Like three sisters, they are all distinct yet equally elegant and welcoming.
Palmse Manor, part of the Virumaa Museums, has been transformed into an open-air museum, while Sagadi Forest Museum shares knowledge about nature and the manor’s own history. Vihula *Manor has been developed into a luxurious vacation destination. These three renovated manor houses form a unified pearl necklace, preserving ancient traditions while skillfully integrating modern amenities.
For culture and history enthusiasts, the county has even more beautiful manors to explore. Create an exciting manor culture discovery trip for yourself HERE
Virumaa Museums
Exciting exploration journeys are offered by both the larger and smaller museums of Virumaa Museums. At Rakvere Castle, located on the slope of Vallimäe in Rakvere, visitors can experience medieval life and feel the atmosphere of that era. In the courtyard of the medieval castle, one can see the castle animals, including a horse and a donkey, walking around freely. Visitors have the opportunity to taste medieval dishes in the Castle Restaurant, and the bolder ones can peek into the torture chamber and sense the greatest fears of medieval people in the death room and hell.
As you descend from Rakvere Castle into the town, you will find yourself on the historic Pikk Street. Be sure to stop by the Rakvere Town Citizen’s Museum to see how people in Rakvere lived nearly 100 years ago. With the help of an audio production, visitors can explore the house museum that represents the living conditions of a local citizen at that time. And who knows, if you listen carefully, you might even hear the rustling of dresses and giggles of girls coming from the bedroom wardrobe.
As you stroll from Pikk Street toward the town center, you can’t miss the Estonian Police Museum. In this unique museum, visitors can experience the everyday work of police officers through hands-on activities and a playful approach. You can test your reaction time behind the wheel, try on police gear, take fingerprints, become a member of a special unit, or challenge yourself as a forensic lab specialist.
Right next to the Police Museum, the Estonian Furniture Museum, also known as the Rehbinder House, has opened its doors. Visitors are greeted by the new exhibition ‘Leaning on a Chair,’ which is unique in both Estonia and neighboring countries, offering an exploration of furniture history through the centuries.
Anyone who appreciates historical furniture, unique stories, and enjoys them in a beautiful setting should definitely visit the stunning Palmse Manor, located in the heart of Lahemaa. As the first fully restored manor complex, it offers the chance to admire the beauty of its parks, gardens, and historical buildings while providing a comprehensive insight into Estonian manor life and architecture through the centuries. Visitors can explore exhibitions, a blacksmith’s workshop, a palm house, several dining spots, and, of course, the picturesque parks and apple orchard.
Sports and Exercise
Sports is highly esteemed in Lääne-Viru County! The region’s excellent sports infrastructure allows for participation in a wide variety of activities. With five swimming pools, municipal sports halls, modern pump tracks for cyclists, trails for skiing and walking or cycling, both casual enthusiasts and serious athletes are encouraged to stay active. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the county hosts exciting and diverse public sporting events each year: Viru Marathon, Night Run, Käsmu-Võsu Open Water Swim, and the Ebavere Cycling Race – there is something for every sports enthusiast!
Kasulik info
Rich Library Network: A Gateway to Knowledge and Community
With 35 public libraries across Lääne-Virumaa, book lovers and knowledge seekers have access to over half a million books, ensuring something for everyone. Beyond books, these libraries offer newspapers, magazines, and even games, catering to various interests. All libraries are equipped with free internet access, and helpful librarians are ready to assist with e-services and digital tools. Many libraries also provide quiet spaces for remote work, making them an ideal spot for digital nomads or anyone needing a calm work environment.
In addition to being a place for reading and study, the libraries regularly host free literary events, lectures, concerts, and exhibitions. Children can enjoy reading programs, quizzes, and a variety of fun activities, making libraries a great destination for family outings. To make borrowing even more convenient, several libraries offer book lockers, allowing users to pick up their books even when the libraries are closed.
For more detailed information on the region’s libraries, visit the local municipalities’ websites.