Hiiumaa celebrates 20th annual Home Cafe Days with record number of pop-up cafes
Over the weekend, 39 pop-up cafes opened across Hiiumaa island, marking the 20th edition of the beloved local summer tradition.
This weekend marked the 20th edition of Home Cafe Days on Hiiumaa, with 39 temporary cafes set up across the island — a record number. Locals turned their homes and gardens into cafes for a day or two, offering homemade treats to visitors.
The tradition started in Kärdla, the island's administrative center, and has grown over two decades into one of Hiiumaa's biggest summer events. It holds special appeal for islanders who have moved to the mainland but come back every summer to stay connected to their roots. One visitor, Ester, said she still considers herself a Hiiumaa islander and returns each year to experience the cafe days.
Among those queuing at a pop-up cafe were Kairi and Marietta. Kairi picked a slice of savory tuna sandwich cake, while Marietta chose a piece of cookie cake after seeing a handwritten note saying it had been made by Laura late the night before. Marietta recalled that her mother used to make homemade cookie cakes late at night before birthdays.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal was among the visitors and praised the event's atmosphere, noting that people were lining up and all the pop-up cafes were wonderful.
Kristel Peikel, head of the Hiiumaa Tourism Cluster, described the weekend as the island's signature summer event and compared its significance to Saaremaa Opera Days on the neighboring island. She added that this year's 20th edition had extra reason to celebrate, with a record 39 cafes taking part.
