Frequently asked questions
Festival guest’s do’s and don’ts
- I approach everything with a happy and peaceful mind.
- I enjoy music and let others do the same
- 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 no latecomers will be allowed in at 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.
YES
NO
Where does the festival take place?
XXXI Viljandi Folk Music Festival takes place on July 25-28 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’s area in the Castle Hills where most of the concerts take place and which is open for all festival pass, youngster’s 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 area with access to the food area along Pikk Street from Villa Maria to Kondase Center and on Lossi Street, where you can enter Friends' Courtyard at Lossi 6 and reach the Green Stage at Laidoneri Square.
What type of tickets are available this year?
You can access the festival with a festival pass, youngster’s pass, senior pass, day pass and if there’s room, with the evening pass, sold at the festival. Single concert tickets are sold for indoor concerts outside the pass area. A single ticket costs €20.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 and 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’s passes and youngster's 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’s pass, senior pass and day pass grant you access to all outdoor concerts during the festival and if there’s space, to the indoor concerts at St John’s Church, Jaak Johanson Stage (Baptist Church), the Traditional Music Center on the first come, first served basis.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 and closes on Monday at 10. 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 tent 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 you need to bring your car, then bear in mind that parking is no longer free inside Viljandi. 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 (included) can enter the festival for free. We also have a children’s 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. They’ve also got 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 happens when I arrive?
First of all - playing music on the street 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 11-02
FRI-SAT 12-02
SUN 12-22
The price is 5€ for the day.
Do you have a sauna?
There are also showers sauna in the Viljandi Sports Centre.Find out more about washing facilities here under the camping site info.
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 Center so you don’t have to find new dishes every time!
Can I smoke at the festival?
Yes but we promote healthy living. To make sure that everyone enjoys 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 still, leave your pet at home - it’s both in their own and everyone else’s interest.Guide, hypo and assistance dogs are welcome. Service dogs are also allowed in.
What do I 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 Center.If the item is unknown or suspicious, contact the nearest security guard.
If you’ve got any special needs
All music lovers are welcome to the festival. People who accompany severely disabled people can enter for free. Most concert venues are accessible for all but access to some of them might be difficult without additional help.Please ask for help from the nearest organiser or security guard or contact the festival headquarters at +373 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 and support us so we can become greener together. We sort our rubbish, we use reusable dishes, we prefer local produce when choosing our caterers and we offer vegetarian menus. When designing and creating the festival area and stage decorations, we upcycle 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 feet that ache from dancing is also a good goal to strive for. But in addition to that, you can also take home a new skill or piece of knowledge.You can purchase souvenirs like a festival t-shirt, stickers or records from the store next to the Traditional Music Center on the Kirsimäe 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.
I really want to contribute to organising the festival, what can I do?
Come and volunteer with us! Find out more here.We also take interns throughout the year. Get in touch at folk@folk.ee and we will find a solution together.