A celebration of culture and the ways it connects us
What brings us together, across generations and across distances? Our theme is “Kultuur hoiab meid” or “Carried by Culture.” Culture is the braid of strands that come together – music, dance, language, community, history, and resilience – to which we all bring our own ideas, experiences, and sensibilities, but still are held together and sustained by what we share.
Welcome to new friends and old
For over 70 years, the festival has brought us together – especially from the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver Estonian communities – to sing, dance, and share our love for Estonian culture and language. This year, we invite Estonians, Estonian-Americans, and friends of Estonia based anywhere in the world to join us in the City by the Bay for a meeting to celebrate the innovative and resilient spirit that unites us across generations.
PRE-PROGRAM
On Thursday, June 25th, before the festival opens, join us for a film showing at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.
PROGRAM
On Friday, we’ll host a Resilience Conference, a forum for hot topics and business networking before an Opening Reception on the 36th floor of the Grand Hyatt.
On Saturday, Rahvapidu takes place in beautiful Marin County, an outdoor laulu-, tantsu- ja külapidu in honor of jaanipäev with a European village feel, for the whole family.
Estonians cherish our language as a living vehicle for arts and culture. On Sunday, The Festival of Words explores this through a variety of performances and activities. We will also share our culture with the local public at Union Square in a showcase of Estonian song and dance. We’ll close LEP2026 with an elegant Gala Evening, including dinner, special performances, dancing, and socializing.
Late evening pub nights are happening daily (salakõrts), exhibits, opportunities for special meetings and gatherings, and kids’ activities!
POST-PROGRAM
On Monday after the festival, stay to enjoy a Wine Country Tour and the natural beauty and wine-tasting opportunities in the area of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
In the heart of San Francisco’s downtown Union Square neighborhood, we are proud to offer a rate of $174/night at the upscale Grand Hyatt Union Square, which will serve as the center of events. It’s also a great jumping-off point to explore the city – our hotel rate applies up to three days before and after the event for those wanting to take advantage of a longer stay.
