Ülemiste Ööjooks 2026: a night run with a light show, music and fire effects
14.–15. August, Ülemiste City transforms for two evenings into a major festival of light, music and movement. Ülemiste Ööjooks 2026 is not simply a sporting competition – runners on the course can look forward to LED screens, light installations, music, performers, smoke and fire effects.
- This year, as many as 35 experience points will be set up in Ülemiste City, and more than 7000 participants from nearly 40 countries are expected to attend the event.
Friday: the most spectacular show
The evening of 14 August is intended above all to be an experience.
The programme includes:
- Ville Vikingi lastejooksud;
- 5 km run;
- 5 km costume race;
- 10 km run;
- Performances by Getter Jaani and Pur Mudd;
- DJ-d, dancers and acrobats;
- lighting, smoke and fire effects.
The adult races start at 22.00, so a large part of the run takes place after dark.
The costume run is particularly eye-catching, where imagination, good spirits and the atmosphere of the entire evening matter more than the result.
Saturday: more sports
On 15 August the programme becomes more sports-focused.
There are three distances to choose from:
- 21,1 km half marathon;
- 10,54 km “Women Only” run;
- 5,27 km run.
Music and lighting elements also remain along the route on Saturday, but the emphasis is more on the sporting challenge.
The half marathon is made special by the urban environment of Ülemiste City—part of the course runs through a parking garage, which the runners pass through several times.
You don't have to be a fast runner
You do not have to come to Ülemiste Ööjooks to chase a record.
The main distances can also be completed by walking or Nordic walking, making the event ideal for those who simply want to experience a special evening atmosphere.
This is what sets Ööjooks apart from an ordinary fun run: sport is only one part of the overall experience.
You can also bring children
- On August, before the adult races, the Ville Vikingi lastejooksud will take place.
Children up to 13 years old can participate, and the youngest may complete the course with a parent.
This means you can turn the evening into a programme for the whole family: first the children's race, then concerts and later the main night races.
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Neon green running party
The official running shirt for 2026 is neon green.
When thousands of runners wearing the same colour move through Ülemiste City in the evening darkness amid LED lights, smoke and fire effects, it creates a spectacle that is hard to compare with an ordinary city run.
It is precisely the visual aspect that makes Ülemiste Ööjooks one of the most distinctive events in Tallinn in August.
Ülemiste Ööjooks 2026 at a glance
When: 14.–15. August 2026
Where: Ülemiste City, Tallinn
Distances: 5 km, 5,27 km, 10 km, 10,54 km ja 21,1 km
For children: Ville Viking children's runs
Special features: light show, LED screens, music, smoke, fire effects, costume run and dozens of experience points
The start and finish are located in front of Ülemiste keskus.
Is it worth going?
If you are looking for something out of the ordinary in Tallinn in August, then yes.
Here you can run, walk, come in costume, bring the children or simply enjoy the evening bustle of the city. Ülemiste Ööjooks combines sports, a concert and a light show into one major nighttime event.
Full programme, registration and participation fees: on the official Eesti Ööjooks website.
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*Artificial intelligence was used to assist in preparing this article. Although the published information has been checked, the article may contain inaccuracies or the information may change over time.
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