The cultural calendar of Lääne-Viru County is filled with diverse and exciting events that offer experiences throughout the year for both locals and visitors. It can confidently be stated that there is something for everyone.
A Colorful Music Scene
The summer highlight, the Viru Folk festival in Käsmu, is a long-standing and prestigious music festival that attracts numerous music lovers and artists. Every year, it showcases various Northern culture, music, film art, and cuisine. The international theater and performing arts festival Baltoscandal, held in Rakvere every two years, brings together creative minds from around the world. The classical music festival Klassika on Moes, near Tapa, offers light summer classical music in a unique setting. Funkfest at Rakvere Vallimägi and Porkuni Blues delight music enthusiasts with enjoyable and unique experiences.
The Võsu Beach Festival brings a summer music party to Võsu beach, while the Võsu harbor concerts and beautiful concerts in Käsmu offer intimate music experiences with sea views. The Rakvere Contemporary Dance Festival KANTS presents the best of modern dance, while the autumn highlight, the Rakvere Cultural Festival, gathers those with a more classical taste for experiences and fills dreary autumn evenings with the best cultural events.
Lääne-Viru County’s cultural life is diverse and vibrant, offering something for everyone. We invite you to be a part of it!
Art for Every Taste
The art scene in Lääne-Viru County adds color to the local cultural landscape. On Rakvere’s Pikk Street, one can find art at the Rakvere Gallery, Leekpea and Toomas Kaskmann’s studio, as well as Renate’s Art Salon and Mullistuudio. The exhibition “”Leaning on a Chair”” at Rakvere’s Rehbinder House provides history enthusiasts with an overview of furniture history.
At Muuga Art Manor, visitors can enjoy several sculptures and paintings that give insight into the history and artistic creation of the past. The Viinistu Art Museum, located near the border of Lääne-Viru and Harjumaa, is home to a diverse collection of art. Today, the museum halls feature an exhibition of over four hundred works from Jaan Manitski’s rich art collection, showcasing the work of Estonian artists from the 19th century to the present.
Karepa also offers a variety of art options. At the Sagrits Museum, visitors can explore artworks from the Richard Sagritsa collection, and Villa Dombrovka surprises guests with its artistic ambiance and colorful exhibitions.”
Theater and Summer Productions
Rakvere Theater is known throughout Estonia for its high-quality performances, offering both classic and contemporary productions. Every summer, several troupes present summer performances across the county, bringing theater enthusiasts together in unexpected places and providing vibrant experiences. The Jäneda Pullitalliteater, Palmse, Sagadi, Vihula Manor, and Loobu Manor’s barn all offer summer performances for lovers of summer theater.”
Special and unique events
The Rakvere Old Days Festival, dedicated to medieval culture, celebrates the authentic lifestyle of the olden days, with a medieval atmosphere and period-appropriate food and drinks. Rakvere City Days brings people together in early June for almost an entire week, with activities for both the young and the old. The annual Night of Horrors at Rakvere Castle takes visitors on an adventure above ground, on the ground, and underground through various spooky horror worlds. Festheart is an LGBTQ+ film festival that opens up different cultural perspectives. The oldest and largest theater festival in the Baltics, Baltoscandal, has been held in Rakvere for 18 years and will reunite again in 2026. The large fairs in Jäneda bring together farmers, small producers, and artisans, offering the chance to purchase unique food, garden, and handicraft products. The Rural Life Festival in Sõmeru introduces agriculture and rural life, providing an entertaining and educational experience.
Exciting Food Events
Food events in Lääne-Viru County highlight local flavors and culinary traditions. Grillfest is a great opportunity to enjoy the best grilled dishes, while the Great Rakvere Food Street offers the best of both local and world cuisine. The Wähja festival in the small village of Ao is a favorite for seafood lovers due to its dishes and musical experiences. The North Estonia Restaurant Week invites you to explore unique flavors and showcases the best restaurants in the region with their special menus, offering taste experiences in various locations throughout the county. The traditional festival of folk foods and culture, KAMAlammas, brings flavors from around the world to Rakvere and offers cultural experiences from various nations, including film nights, concerts, and workshops.
Exciting sports events
Long-standing ski marathons like the Viru Marathon and Tamsalu-Neeruti Marathon attract ski enthusiasts from all over Estonia. Popular running events, the most famous being the Rakvere Night Run and the Midsummer Challenge in Võsu, provide competitive moments and opportunities to test oneself. Regularly held popular running and skiing series are also available. The county features several outdoor gyms and numerous disc golf opportunities. Lääne-Viru’s well-maintained and varied health and hiking trails offer excellent opportunities for active recreation.