Frequently asked questions
Festival guest’s do’s and don’ts
- I enjoy music and let others do the same. If I need to move during a concert, I wait until the tune is over.
- I keep an eye on my people and my belongings.
- I’m ready for blistering heat and soaking rain.
- I always find a way to the nearest bin.
- I’m always on time because latecomers aren’t allowed into indoor concerts.
- I know where the exits and toilets are.
- I won’t put myself and others in danger by climbing the walls.
- I acknowledge the organiser’s right to make changes to the programme.
- I leave my pets at home.
- I smoke only in designated spaces.
- I won’t bring any glass, weapons, pyrotechnics or other dangerous items or substances to the festival area.
- I acknowledge that the security team has the right to search me if they need to.
- I acknowledge the right of the organisers and the security team to escort out any guests who don’t follow the festival rules.
- I won’t overindulge in mind-altering substances and I won’t bring my own alcohol to the festival area.
- I understand that according to the law, vendors are allowed to not sell alcohol to intoxicated guests.
- If I’m faced with an insurmountable problem, I seek advice from the closest organiser, security team member or policeman.
- If my pass is valid for the entire duration of the festival, I will keep the wristband on until the end of the festival.
- I understand that children aged 12 and under are only permitted to attend the festival when accompanied by an adult.
YES
- Musical instruments
- Empty water bottle
- Carrier bag, backpack
- Stroller, baby food
- Picnic blanket
- Rain poncho
- Your own empty dishes or cups, including deposit dishes
- Protective earmuffs for children
- Good mood
NO
- Glass packaging
- Alcohol (you can buy some from the festival area)
- Food and drink (no one will confiscate your half-eaten pastry, but you won’t get in with a big pizza)
- Umbrella (bring a poncho instead)
- Posters, flags, slogans
- Pets
- Bike, skateboard, ATV, other mode of transport (leave it in the parking lot)
- Drones and everything else that flies; equipment that disrupts the concert or other visitors (except with a special permission from the organisers)
- Weapons
- Pyrotechnics
- Everything illegal
- Everything that can create an open flame
Where does the festival take place?
XXXIII Viljandi Folk Music Festival takes place on July 23–26 in Viljandi Castle Hills and its vicinity and in the hearts of all folk lovers!
This year, the festival area is divided into two:
- Main area aka passholder area from St. John’s Church to the Castle Hills where most of the concerts take place and which is open for all festival pass, youngster pass, senior pass and day pass holders on the particular day, and if there’s room, also for evening pass holders. Evening passes are sold only at the festival.
- Free food and heritage area for everyone on the Freedom Square, old town area on Pikk Street from Villa Maria to the Kondas Centre, and on Lossi Street, with access to Sõprade Hoov at Lossi 6, and the Green Stage at Laidoner Square.
What type of tickets are available this year?
You can access the festival with a festival pass, youngster pass, senior pass, day pass and if there’s room, with an evening pass, sold at the festival. Single concert tickets are sold for indoor concerts outside the passholder area. A single ticket costs €20–25.Where can I purchase tickets?
Before the festival, you can purchase tickets from the festival homepage and the Piletikeskus website. During the festival, you can also purchase tickets from the ticket sales booth on Freedom Square.To receive any passes, tickets or accreditation, go to the ticket and pass centre on Freedom Square.
When and how can I change my ticket for a wristband?
All festival and day passes are exchanged for a wristband at the main festival gate on Freedom Square. Day passes are exchanged for wristbands on the date on the ticket.- Youngster passes and youngster day passes for students aged 13–26 (included) are exchanged for wristbands upon presenting proof of student status and an ID.
- Senior passes for people aged 65+ are exchanged for wristbands upon presenting an ID.
- Day passes are exchanged for wristbands on the date shown on the ticket and the pass grants you access to the festival until the end of the programme on that day.
Does the pass grant me access to all concerts?
The festival pass, youngster pass, senior pass and day pass grant you access to all outdoor concerts during the festival and, subject to availability, to indoor concerts at the Traditional Music Centre and Sakala Centre on a first-come, first-served basis.
When is the festival area open?
- The festival area is open daily from 11.00 am.
- The area will close after the final concert each day, and all visitors are kindly asked to leave the festival site by 4.00 am at the latest
- Outside these opening hours, access to the festival area is restricted to festival staff and authorised pass holders only.
- Please note that the security team monitors all entrances and may restrict access to the festival area where necessary to ensure the safety of visitors. The security team reserves the right to make reasonable exceptions in individual cases where circumstances require.
Where can I sleep?
The best option is to sleep at a friend’s place. Or you can stay at a hotel if you’ve booked it well in advance. The camping ground is located next to St Paul’s church and it opens at Thursday at 12 noon and closes on Monday at 10 a.m. You can bring your own tent or use our convenient camping package where we give you a tent, sleeping bag and mattress. NB! Find the ticket to the campsite HERE. Also, this year we have glamping area aka the bohemian and luxurious tent experience located near the festival area. Read more HERE. Those, who come with a camper van, can stay at the festival's caravan park. Read more HERE.You can also sleep at the sleeping quarters at Viljandi Waldorf School.
Find out more about accommodation here.
Where can I leave my car or my bike?
If you can, leave your car at home. The streets of Viljandi are narrow and there aren’t that many parking spots. You can travel comfortably to Viljandi with a bus or train and we’ve got public transport in town as well. If travelling by car is essential, please note that on-street parking in Viljandi includes both paid and free parking areas. Car parks at shopping centres and commercial buildings in the town centre are generally paid, although many offer up to two hours of free parking with a parking disc. Read more HERE.
You can leave your bike in the bicycle parking lot which is located opposite Freedom Square in front of Maadlusklubi.What should I do with children?
Bring them with you! Children aged 12 and under can enter the festival for free. We also have a children area next to St John’s church where you can take part in all sorts of fun activities.Make sure you also read the do’s and don’ts for visiting the festival with a child!
What and where can I eat?
The festival food area has something for everyone, including craft drinks and interesting sweets. We use reusable rental dishes at the festival and you can also bring your own plates, cutlery and cups.NB! You can’t bring your own food and drink to the festival area! The security guard will be flexible to an extent – they won’t take your water bottle, baby food or half-eaten apple, but you won’t be allowed in with a large pizza. Similarly, no glass bottles or alcohol are allowed in the festival area.
You can bring your own instruments and backpacks, but what should I do with them when I arrive?
First of all – playing music on the street with friends is allowed and even recommended, so bring your instrument! However, if you need to store your instrument, then we’ve got an instrument and luggage store. It’s located next to the Freedom Square information centre and it’s open:THU 11–01
FRI-SAT 12–01
SUN 12–22
The price is €5 for the day.
Where can I dispose of my rubbish?
We sort waste at the festival. Always sort your rubbish and if you need some help, ask one of our green ambassadors!Take care of the environment and pick up rubbish even if it isn’t yours and throw it to the bin even if you’ve been partying hard!
NB! We also have a dish rinsing station for washing any reusable dishes next to the Traditional Music Centre so you don’t have to get new dishes every time!
Can I smoke at the festival?
Yes, but we promote healthy living. To make sure that everyone can enjoy their concert experience, we’ve installed special areas for smoking. Follow the signs!I have an incredibly cute and well-behaving pet, can I bring them?
No. We aren’t kidding. We know that they won’t bite, but please leave your pet at home – for their own sake and everyone else's.Guide, hypo and assistance dogs are welcome. Service dogs are also allowed in.
What to do if I find something that doesn’t belong to me?
Lost and found items can be brought to the luggage store, Freedom Square ticket sales tent or to the Traditional Music Centre.If the item is unknown or suspicious, contact the nearest security guard.
What should I know if I have accessibility needs?
All music lovers are welcome at the festival. One companion accompanying a person with a severe disability is admitted free of charge. Most concert venues are accessible for all but access to some of them might be difficult without additional help.If you need help, please ask the nearest team member (a person with the festival T-shirt and the lanyard badge) or a security guard, or call the festival headquarters at +372 5814 4114.
What does it mean that it’s a green festival?
We try to use environmentally friendly solutions when organising the festival and we invite all our partners to do the same, helping us so to become greener together. We sort our waste, use reusable dishes, prefer local produce when choosing our caterers, and offer vegetarian menus. When designing and creating the festival area and stage decorations, we upcycle materials and follow net-zero design practices. Find out more here.What can I take home from the festival?
Lots of emotions and new friends, first and foremost! And aching feet from dancing are also a good goal to strive for. But in addition to that, you can also take home a new skill or a piece of knowledge.You can purchase souvenirs like festival T-shirts, stickers, and records from the store next to the Traditional Music Centre, on the I Kirsimägi side.
If you feel like a negative emotion wants to come home with you and you believe that the organising team can help, then please write to us at folk@folk.ee and we will find a solution together.