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.