The festival aims to show that science doesn’t just happen in laboratories or exist in textbooks – it is part of our everyday lives. At TÖF, visitors can meet researchers, take part in workshops and experiments, visit laboratories, and discover science in ways that are engaging and accessible to people of all ages.

This year marks the 20th Researchers’ Night Festival in Estonia. Over the years, the idea at the heart of the festival has remained the same: science is for everyone. TÖF gives people the opportunity to ask questions, experiment, explore, and meet those whose work helps us understand the world around us through science.

Part of European Researchers’ Night

Estonian Researchers’ Night Festival is part of the European Researchers’ Night initiative, supported by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme.

European Researchers’ Night takes place every year in countries across Europe, bringing researchers and the public together through workshops, experiments, exhibitions, science shows and other activities. Its aim is to make science accessible and engaging, while giving people an insight into the work researchers do and the impact it has on society.

Particular emphasis is placed on children and young people, with the aim of inspiring an interest in science, technology and careers in research.

In Estonia, Researchers’ Night Festival is organised by AHHAA Science Centre in collaboration with Rakett69 Science Studios and Energy Discovery Centre.

Organise an Event at Researchers’ Night Festival

Researchers’ Night Festival is made possible through collaboration with universities, schools, research institutions, museums, businesses, youth centres and other organisations across Estonia.

If you would like to bring science closer to the public, we invite you to organise an event as part of the festival programme.

The 2026 Researchers’ Night Festival will take place from 21 to 27 September, with energy as this year’s central theme. The theme can be interpreted broadly – from physics and electricity to food, the environment, technology, people and society.

Your event could be a workshop, tour, lecture, discussion, experiment, science show, game or something entirely new. What matters most is giving people the opportunity to explore science, meet researchers and discover how science shapes our lives.

Bring your idea to Researchers’ Night and become part of Estonia’s nationwide science festival!