LEP2026 – West Coast Estonian Days 2026
June 26 – June 28 EDT
Lääneranniku Eesti Päevad 2026
This summer, we invite you to join us in San Francisco for the West Coast Estonian Days!
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. Next 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.
PROGRAM:
Saturday | Rahvapidu in beautiful Marin County, an outdoor laulu-, tantsu-, ja külapidu in honor of Jaanipäev with a European village feel, for the whole family.
Sunday | Estonians cherish our language a living vehicle for arts and culture. 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.
Daily | Late evening pub nights (salakõrts), exhibits, opportunities for special meetings and gatherings, and kids’ activities!
LEP Festival Pass now on sale!
The LEP Festival Pass is now on sale – and from now through the end of February, it is available at a discount.
The pass will give you entrance to all events at the West Coast Estonian Days from Friday, June 28 to Sunday, June 30 – three fully packed days of song, dance, film, talks, networking, workshops, exhibits, the opening reception, folk festival, and more in San Francisco.
(The only exceptions are noted at the link – the Gala Concert is a separate ticket that we look forward to sharing more about in upcoming days. Transportation to the folk festival is also sold separately.)
Explore our brochure and look for announcements about our special guests in the coming days and weeks. As organizers, we are dedicated to bringing you an event that will feed you and connect you, with as many experiences as we can offer – we hope you will take advantage of this best price and join us in San Francisco.
PRE-EVENTS!
Thursday | Before the festival opens, join us for a film showing at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.
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.
POST-ATTRACTIONS
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.
WHERE TO STAY
Introducing our festival accommodations. Located in the heart of the city on Union Square, the Grand Hyatt is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring San Francisco’s top attractions. Organizers are pleased to be able to offer a special rate starting at $174 during the festival. Take a virtual tour.
This is your festival! Have an activity, idea, or connection to bring to the festival? Let us know!
Singers and dancers – we hope you will join us! If you are not yet in touch, please contact us for more information about performing opportunities.
Volunteer – Send us a message or join our WhatsApp group to get involved!
