European Sauna Marathon 2026
16th European Sauna Marathon in Otepää – Europe’s Largest Social Sauna Marathon
The European Sauna Marathon in Otepää will take place on March 5–6, 2027. It is Europe’s largest social sauna festival and one of Southern Estonia’s most legendary winter events, where sauna culture, friendship, and joyful community spirit come together.
On Friday, the saunas heat up in the Sauna Village on Otepää’s central square. Visitors can enjoy shared sauna rituals, concerts, a lively folk music party with traditional musicians, and some of the best street food delicacies. On Saturday, the event continues with the great sauna-to-sauna orienteering game, where four-member teams visit as many mapped sauna locations as possible within a given time. A car and driver are required to participate.
The main prizes of the European Sauna Marathon are sponsored by Lemmikmees OÜ and Skamet OÜ, along with many special awards. Traditionally, participants also vote for their favorite sauna, and prizes are given for the best costumes, most spirited teams, and true sauna enthusiasts.
Team registration takes place on March 6 at Tehvandi Sports Hall from 8:30 to 11:30. The start is at 11:00 from Otepää central square, and the finish in front of Tehvandi Sports Hall remains open until 18:30. At the sports hall, participants can shower, change clothes, enjoy snacks, and share their marathon experiences with fellow sauna lovers. Catering is provided according to team pre-orders.
The 16th European Sauna Marathon in Otepää is organized by Otepää Sport, Otepää Municipality, Otepää Cultural Centres, sauna hosts and their teams, and many volunteers. Partners include Lemmikmees, Skamet, Tanker, Hartwall, Sipakson, Sky Plus Radio, Kanal 2 Reporter, Vytautas, Crocs / Nordic Outdoor, Küttepuude Kuller, Aasta Auto – Škoda Tartu, 363 Agency, Ottenstein Estonia and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.
Event timeline/line-up
FRIDAY 05.03
Otepää Town Square
On Friday, the saunas heat up and the festival weekend officially begins!
18:00 – Local producers’ market and street food area open
18:00 – Registration open for collecting Friday sauna passes
18:00 – Live music programme starts on stage
19:00 – Sauna Village open for European Sauna Marathon participants
19:30 – 21:00 – Various performers on the village stage
21:00 – DJ set
23:00 – Sauna Village closes for the day
SATURDAY 06.03
08:30 – 10:30 – Registration at Tehvandi Sports Hall
(Teams receive wristbands, car stickers and sign the team confirmation form)
Otepää Town Square
10:00 – 16:00 – Street food area open
11:00 – 12:00 – European Sauna Marathon STARTS
(Teams start in groups of 20 according to the official start list from Otepää Town Square)
Tehvandi Spordikeskus (in front of the sports hall)
15:00 – 18:30 – FINISH area open
19:00 – 01:00 – Official European Sauna Marathon afterparty at Tehvandi Sports Hall
✨ Famous Estonian artist (to be confirmed)
🎧 DJ playing the biggest hits
🍻 Bar open
🕺 A real disco night – only once a year in Otepää!
Entrance:
Free for marathon participants with wristband
Guests: €25 at the door
