LEP 2026 San Francisco

06/17/2026

ELINA KUTSUB GALAÕHTULE!

Last day to purchase tickets before the price goes up for the Gala Concert and Dinner evening at San Francisco’s West Coast Estonian Days with Eurovision star Elina Born, acclaimed guitarist Robert Vaigla, and international DJ Kiino Villand.

The biggest Estonian night in San Francisco in a decade starts with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and a concert in the Grand Hyatt’s Grand Ballroom. Then, hit the dance floor to DJ Kiino’s beats! Wear your finest, with an Estonian touch and prepare for the best night of summer when you join us to celebrate in style, eesti moodi. Link in bio for tickets.

06/17/2026

We look forward to welcoming Inglikeeled Kannel Ensemble to the West Coast Estonian Days from Los Angeles! The ensemble derives its name from “Inglite linn” - the City of Angels, and its members bring their mastery of the rich heritage of folk kannel music to cultural gatherings and community events in the LA area. Inglikeeled perform at the Opening Ceremony and Reception on June 26, and will hold a kannel studio demonstration on June 27 at the Rahvapidu - Folk Festival.

06/16/2026

WEST COAST ESTONIAN DAYS TICKET UPDATE: As the festival draws near in San Francisco from June 25 - 28, tickets for some events are becoming limited. If you are still waiting to buy tickets, we recommend making your plans very soon.

- SOLD OUT: The Opening Ceremony and Reception (Friday, June 26) is sold out!

- LAST DAY FOR BEST PRICE: Purchase your tickets for the Gala Concert and Dinner evening with West Coast Estonian Days with Eurovision star Elina Born, acclaimed guitarist Robert Vaigla, and international DJ Kiino Villand (Sunday, June 28) today for the best price. After 6/17, the price rises to $170. More details in comments.

- LIMITED TICKETS: Tickets for Rahvapidu are becoming limited. Festival Passholders - if you haven't yet reserved your Salakõrts Pass (Saturday, June 27), a few extra tickets have been released but will go quickly!

Contact us with questions ([email protected]).

06/15/2026

VIIMASED 2 PÄEVA ON VEEL VÕIMALUS OSTA 6.28 GALAÕHTU PILETEID SOODSAMA HINNAGA!

Two days left to purchase tickets at the best price for the Gala Concert and Dinner evening at the West Coast Estonian Days with Eurovision star Elina Born, acclaimed guitarist Robert Vaigla, and international DJ Kiino Villand. Price goes up 6/17.

The biggest Estonian night in San Francisco in a decade starts with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and a concert in the Grand Hyatt’s Grand Ballroom. Then, hit the dance floor to DJ Kiino's beats! Wear your finest, with an Estonian touch and prepare for the best night of summer when you join us to celebrate in style, eesti moodi. Details in comments.

06/14/2026

🕯Today, Estonians commemorate the June 1941 deportations, when tens of thousands of people in the Baltics, Belarus, and Ukraine were arrested and sent from their homes to exile in Siberia, many never to return. The details of the deprivation and hardship they encountered are illustrated in the artifacts preserved and shared by Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom.

„Liisa, kas sul leiba on? Mina ostsin ühe peenleiva, kui sinul ei ole, siis saadan muist sulle."...

Täna, 85 aastat tagasi, 14. juunil 1941, algas massiline juuniküüditamine. Tuhanded Eesti pered viidi väevõimuga kodudest teadmatusse. Nõukogude võim saatis Siberisse üle 10 000 inimese, kellest vaid vähesed jõudsid hiljem tagasi.

Vabamu kogusse kuulub üks väike, kulunud paberitükk – kiri, mille Anton Luster saatis küüditatute rongist oma naisele Liisale. Paberi tagaküljele on kirillitsas kirjutatud Liisa nimi ja aadressiks märgitud lihtsalt „naiste vagun“.

Anton kirjutas Liisale:
„Liisa, kas sul leiba on? Mina ostsin ühe peenleiva, kui sinul ei ole, siis saadan muist sulle. Kui üle piiri saame, siis haagitakse pood vaguni külge ehk siis saab midagi osta. Pea seni kaua vastu. Elu on hea.“

Esmapilgul võib see tunduda vaid katkise ja kulunud paberina. Tegelikult räägib see kiri hoolimisest, lootusest ja inimlikkusest olukorras, kus inimesed olid kaotanud kontrolli oma saatuse üle. Anton püüab leida viisi, kuidas naisega ühendust saada, temaga oma vähest toitu jagada ning sisendada jõudu ja usku, et tuleb vastu pidada.

Juuniküüditamise ajal eraldati mehed sageli naistest ja lastest juba teekonna alguses. Pereliikmed paigutati erinevatesse vagunitesse ning saadeti eri sihtkohtadesse. Paljud ei näinud enam kunagi oma lähedasi. Just seetõttu kannab see lühike kiri endas palju enamat kui üksnes sõnu 🕯

06/14/2026

🎟️ West Coast Estonian Days Festival Pass Now on Sale!

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at West Coast Estonian Days (LEP 2026) in San Francisco! From June 26–28, 2026, enjoy three full days of culture, connection, and celebration.

Your festival pass includes access to:

🎶 Song and dance performances
🎬 Film and cultural programs
🗣️ Talks, networking, and workshops
🎨 Exhibits and community gatherings
🥂 Opening reception and folk festival
✨ Please note: The Gala Concert and transportation to the folk festival are sold separately.

🎟️ Secure your pass today: www.lep2026.com/tickets

The Estonian Relief Committee (ERC) is proud to be a long-time supporter of West Coast Estonian Days — helping bring our community together through shared culture and tradition.

💙 Want to support more initiatives like this?
🔹 Donate today: www.estoreliefusa.org/donate

06/13/2026

The West Coast Estonian Days are in just a few weeks in San Francisco!

Our love of Estonia's singing traditions brings us together - check out all song and dance events from June 26 - 28 in the comments.



Audio: Lääneranniku Eesti Koor, October 2024

06/13/2026

The West Coast Estonian Days are just a few weeks away! The last chances for Festival Pass sales and for the group hotel rate are today, Friday, June 12. (Individual event tickets will remain on sale, as available, through the festival.) See more in comments!

06/12/2026

Sewing Workshop with Artur Aus: Festival of Words and Creative Expression! Clothing artist Artur Aus is only a few years into his career, but his vision for creative reuse and upcycling is inspired. Come to this interactive workshop and transform existing clothing items into something new and personal in just 30 minutes. The goal is to combine creativity, susiainability, and Estonian cultural identity in an accessible, hands-on format.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own clothing items (such as jeans, T-shirts, jackets, or tote bags) to customise. The workshop will provide sewing machines, scissors, seam rippers, measuring tools, thread, and a selection of fabrics and patches, including traditional Estonian patterns and San Francisco denim. Attendees can sew patches onto garments or cut traditional Estonian textile patterns into custom shapes to create their own designs. For all ages and skill levels.

This program is part of the Festival of Words and Creative Expression. See more in comments.