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Tartu 2024 Final Celebration “Jää ja loo”

The Capital of Culture title year is nearing its conclusion

It has been a year that has brought us together as one with its varied experiences – in Tartu, Southern Estonia, and Europe. Culture is a never-ending journey, one which we have the opportunity to continue. The name “Jää ja loo”, translating into “Stay and Create”, symbolises endurance and the continuous process of creation with a future oriented view. Once again we invite everyone together to celebrate culture-rich experiences with family and friends.

The Tartu 2024 Final Celebration will take place on Saturday, November 30 at Pirogov Park at the slope of Toomemägi with a light show at 19.00, 20.00, and 21.00. The 15-minute show looks back at the highlights of the European Capital of Culture year. The light show will be repeated on Sunday, 1 December, when the first Christmas light will be lit in Tartu Town Hall Square. In between the light performances, the much-loved Curly Strings will give two performances at the Town Hall Square – at 19.20–19.50 and 20.20–20.50.

The Celebration will continue with an open-air rave at 21.30–01.00. The stage will be taken by the legendary artist Adam F, MC Harry Shotta, the Estonian Minister of Culture Heidy Purga, Eero and Rene Oliver Muiste (Sound In Noise x Olivar), THING, and Micaxsan. The rave will reflect the energy of the Grand Opening of Tartu 2024 and will last until 01.00.

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30 November • Timetable 30 November • Final Celebration "Jää ja loo” 30 November • Opening of the Tartu Christmas Pavillions 30 November • ExperimentalLAB 24: Youth Disco 30. november • After-parties 30 November • Accessibility 30 November • Sustainability Events in November 1 December • Timetable 1 December • 105th anniversary of the Estonian-language University of Tartu

30 November • Timetable

  • Tartu Christmas City and Ice Rink Opened

    10.00–23.00, Town Hall Square

     

  • Ageless Party

    10.00–13.00, Genialistide Klubi (Magasini 5)

     

  • Opening of the Tartu 2024 Pavillions at Tartu Christmas City

    12.00–13.00, Town Hall Square

     

  • Limpa's Disco on the Ice Rink

    16.00–18.45, Town Hall Square

     

  • EksperimentaalLAB24 – Experiment: Party x säm DJ set x Tartu schools’ DJs

    17.00–22.30, Vabaduse Avenue 2

  • Light show "Jää ja loo"

    19.00–19.15, Pirogov Park

  • Curly Strings I set

    19.20–19.50, Town Hall Square

     

  • Light show "Jää ja loo"

    20.00–20.15, Pirogov Park

     

  • Curly Strings II set

    20.20–20.50, Town Hall Square

     

  • Light show "Jää ja loo"

    21.00–21.15, Pirogov Park

     

  • Open-air rave

    21.30–01.00, Pirogov Park

     

  • After-parties in Tartu

    01.00–morning hours, Tartu city

     

30 November • Final Celebration "Jää ja loo”

Eatu pidu (Sold out)

At 10.00 • Free of charge to the elderly • Genialistide Klubi, Tartu

Are you at least 65+ years old and want to come to an unforgettable party?

Nonetheless, this party is not just for the elderly! Wouldn’t you, young one, like to spin with your grandmother, uncle or neighbour? Now’s your chance – grab your ancestor’s hand and let’s celebrate the end of the Capital of Culture year together, as Tartu 2024 brings to life an intergenerational party! Let’s warm up both memories and hips!

The band Kukerpillid will take to the stage and Urmas Klaas, the mayor of Tartu, will make an opening speech.

The event is free of charge for the elderly. To enter, please get your ticket from Piletilevi. Seating is limited. Young people can enter with an accompanying adult aged 65 or over.

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Limpa Beach Party / Limpa Ice Skating Disco

From 16.00–18.45 • Free • Tartu Town Hall Square

We have received information from an unknown source that since Tartu 2024, ambassador Limpa has been playing pranks on Tartu all night lond night and has been heating up the skating rink at the Town Hall Square with a hair dryer, it’s impossible to ice skate on it today. Did Limpa want to have a pool party instead? Limpa, Estonia’s most famous pig, commented on his adventures in Tartu last night as follows: “Krooks”.

So leave your ice skates home today and head to Tartu city centre on 30 November for something truly fun and extraordinary – Limpa Beach Party!

Behind the DJ decks, young DJ duo Keris will be spinning tracks to keep up the party throughout the evening. We’ll be handing out free A. Le Coq Limpa lemonade, juice boxes, and reflectors!

The event is free for everyone.

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Light show

At 19.00, 20.00, and 21.00 • Free • Toomemägi hillside, Pirogov Park • Duration 20 min

The 15-minute show looks back at the highlights of the European Capital of Culture year. The show has been created by the creators of the Pärnu light festival ÖÖvalgel, which has received international attention. Through the use of acrobatics, sound, video, and lasers, it tells a magical tale of culture, experiences, people and the moments which filled Tartu, Southern Estonia, and Europe in 2024.

The show is meant for viewers of all ages. The light show will be repeated on Sunday, 1 December, when the first Christmas light will be lit in Tartu Town Hall Square.

Curly Strings

From 19.20–19.50 and 20.20–20.50 • Free • Tartu Town Hall Square

Curly Strings is an acoustic four-member ensemble that draws inspiration from the musicians’ personal heritage in the current Estonian cultural space. The main pillars of their original compositions are intense and playful musicianship, memorably beautiful melodies and sincere performances.

The band’s rise to the Estonian music scene in 2013 was a kind of phenomenon, thanks to which their work reached the hearts of many Estonians, where it has remained to this day.

 

Open-air rave

From 21.30–01.00  • Free  • Pirogov Park

During the dance part of the Final Celebration, the stage will be taken by the legendary Adam F – a multi genre artist, record producer, DJ, musician, singer & songwriter born in Liverpool who has earned 7 Gold and 4 Platinum certified awards under his belt. As a writer, producer and singer he has No. 1 Album in the USA Billboard chart, No. 1 in the UK national singles chart, won the MOBO best album award for his debut album Colours and was named by MTV in the Top 5 producers in the world. As the co-founder of Breakbeat Kaos alongside DJ Fresh he launched several of the very biggest names in 21st century dance music acts like Pendulum, Nero, and Chase & Status. During Adam F’s performance, guest artist Harry Shotta, who has won the Best MC title at the Drum & Bass Awards eight times, will take the stage.

Just like at the Grand Opening of the European Capital of Culture year, November’s crisp party will feature the world’s only Minister of Culture DJ Heidy Purga, and Eero and Rene Oliver Muiste (Sound In Noise x Olivar). Eero Muiste is a musician and producer who tirelessly keeps Estonian dance music open to the international scene and has helped to bring more than a couple of hundred foreign artists to Estonian dance music enthusiasts. DJ Heidy Purga is well known for the soul music event “Black Honey”, which combines soul, funk, groove, disco, afro, R&B and hip-hop.

Pirogov’s open-air rave will begin with DJ sets by two artists: THING, one of the longest-running producers of the Estonian drum and bass scene, representing KAUGE festival, and Micaxsan, an electronic music talent with youthful energy who also performed at the unda festival.

 

30 November • Opening of the Tartu Christmas Pavillions

From 12.00–13.00  • Free  • Tartu Town Hall Square

Tartu’s Christmas City invites all residents and friends of Tartu to enjoy the festive season from November 30th to January 5th

There are few things in life you can always rely on, but finding the Christmas spirit in Tartu is certainly one of them. Once again, the beloved Christmas city returns to Tartu’s Town Hall Square, where visitors can savor favorite Christmas flavors, enjoy the children’s favorite straw house, swings, and carousels, and admire the chandelier and Christmas tree glowing in holiday lights.

This year, the pavilions offer fascinating discoveries from partners such as European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024, Tartu Observatory, Pallas University of Applied Sciences, SPARKUP Tartu Science Park, the School of Architecture and many more. The stage pavilion hosts delightful concerts and Christmas workshops.

30 November • ExperimentalLAB 24: Youth Disco

Come and feel the rhythm of the music!

Free • MECCA commission shop

During the final week of the European Capital of Culture, 25-30 November, Tartu 2024 will host the ExperimentLAB 24, during which young people will take over the premises of the old commission shop MECCA. The doors of the Mecca will be open every day from 17.00–21.00.

30.11 Experiment: Party x säm DJ set x Tartu schools’ DJs – from 17.00–22.30

Come and be part of a party that marks the end of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024. Young DJs from all Tartu’s secondary schools will be on hand to offer a diverse music experience like never before!

An environment full of energy and freedom – here you have the chance not only to dance, but also to sing along. Come and tell your story with others. All you need is an open mind and a willingness to be part of this special evening. The event is free of charge and there will be a café on site!

30. november • After-parties

Wondering where to enjoy the nightlife in Tartu?

The dance continues, and Tartu 2024 after-parties will entertain the public across the city. Here are the places you should definitely pop by:

MÜLÄ | Love is love – DJ Rassel injects unstoppable love into everyone and Delfi Oraakel will light up the night with drag acts.

Kivi | This is not a Tartu 2024 after-party – There’s going to be a rave at Kivi! The festival’s KAUGE DJs will keep the whole house heated until the morning.

Vint | Lambrusco is at Vint – Tartu 2024 Finale – WinePassion and Lambrusco from Cantine Lombardini wine house will create a pleasant atmosphere at the Vint wine bar for the Tartu 2024 celebrations. Entrance is free.

Night Club Maasikas | Retro Love – DJ Alvar Orula will treat his fans and new friends to well-known club hits.

Shooters | This is the afer-party – Music will be played on Vallikraavi Street by DJ Sten Zeider for old and new friends of Shooters alike. The party is free of charge.

Humal Bistro | Humal x Jalmar Vabarna x Tartu 2024 – DJ Jalmar Vabarna, the ambassador of Tartu 2024, brings colour and temperament to the dark November night.

Barlova | Tartu 2024 Closing Celebrations – You will be greeted by the melomaniac Robert Kähr, who will do his utmost to make this an unforgettably fun Saturday!

Genialistide Klubi | Sudden Lights x Around the Sun – Latvia’s hottest indie band is back in Tartu! “Sudden Lights”, who gained fame at the Eurovision Song Contest, will again give a concert that promises to be an unforgettable musical experience. After the bands, everyone is welcome to join for a free afterparty by a folk music group duo Traat.

Kolm Tilli | Tartu 2024 concludes. Toomas Laigu and Chriscross LIVE – The multi-instrumental DJ duo of Toomas Laigu and Chriscross will bring warmth, life and rhythm to Aparaaditehas

 

30 November • Accessibility

  • Pirogov Park

    • The light shows will be in Estonian, with both Estonian and English subtitles.
    • Texts and audio description of the lighting show will be available on the Tartu 2024 website on the day of the event.
    • Guests able to use stairs can reach the stage area from the Lydia Hotel, the intersection of Lossi and Ülikooli Streets, and from Lossi Street. The accessible area can be reached from Lossi Street, which offers step-free access.
    • The light show and rave can be enjoyed from any spot you choose. There are a few benches available, but depending on the weather, they may be wet, so bringing a sitting mat is recommended.
    • Mobility aid users are welcome to use the accessible area in front of the stage. There are no seats in this section.
    • Fifteen minutes before each show, a Tartu 2024 guide will escort mobility aid users from the park entrance on Lossi Street to the accessible area upon request.
      After the show, guests can return with the guide if they wish.
    • Please note that only the sidewalk on the university’s main building side of Lossi Street is step-free, while the street itself is paved with cobblestones.
    • Restrooms, including an accessible restroom, are located on the path from Pirogov Park to the Gunpowder Cellar (Püssirohukelder), with priority access for Toilet Access cardholders.

  • Town Hall Square

    • Town Hall Square is paved with cobblestones, with smooth tiles along the edges.
    • The concert will be standing-room only, with no seating or designated areas near the stage for guests using mobility aids.
    • The nearest accessible restroom with a baby changing table is in Tartu Central Park (at the intersection of Küüni and Poe Streets). There is a small fee (30 cents), payable by card, with priority access for Toilet Access cardholders.

  • Good to know

    • The closest accessible parking spaces are on Jakobi and Magistri Streets. A valid disability parking permit allows free parking within Tartu’s paid parking zones. Private parking lots have separate procedures.
    • The event will include loud music and lighting effects, including flashing lights. Children are encouraged to use hearing protection.

For more information on accessibility

Lee Saarsen, [email protected], +372 5667 2037

 

30 November • Sustainability

  • You can always use your own cup when purchasing a drink. Utensils and dishes acquired from the caterer should be returned to a designated collection point.
  • Keep an eye on the weather and if necessary, bring a raincoat. Umbrellas can disrupt the experience of other visitors by obstructing their view.
  • Thank you for coming to the event on foot, by cycling, using public transport, or carpooling with family and friends. The nearest bus stops are Vabaduse puiestee, Lai, Raeplats, Kesklinn IV, V, VI. You can find bus routes and times here: https://web.peatus.ee/aikataulut/urban-lines/1.
  • The nearest bike parking is at Town Hall Square.
  • Help us recycle and sort waste. You can find collection options for bio-waste, packaging waste, and mixed waste.
  • Pirogov Park will remain in the same condition after the event as it was before, and we will restore any damage caused to the landscape if necessary.
  • We will not use fireworks.

Events in November

Don't miss the last of Tartu 2024!

Additionally, Tartu 2024 invites you during the last month of the title year to partake in events that look back on an abundant cultural programme and also aim towards the future.

In the regional centres, the theatre production “Perfect” in Viljandi, the new short film festival Valga Hot Shorts, the Võru children’s festival and stand-up performances about mental health in Tartu and Southern Estonia will entertain the audience once more. For the first time ever, Põlva will be the venue for the English Royal Ballet’s production of “UniVerse: A Dark Crystal Odyssey”.

In November, the Estonian National Museum will host a solo exhibition of the famous Japanese artist and composer Ryoji Ikeda, and the premiere of a work composed in collaboration with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir. November will also see the screening of a brand new science fiction film by the internationally acclaimed British artists Blast Theory, depicting life in Tartu and South Estonia in 2074.

1 December • Timetable

  • Estonian national university's 105th anniversary torch procession

    17.00–18.00, Vanemuise Street – University of Tartu main building

     

  • Lighting of the Christmas Candle and light show "Tähtede poole"

    18.00–18.30, Town Hall Square

     

  • Light show "Jää ja loo"

    18.30–19.00, Pirogov Park

     

  • Light show "Tähtede poole"

    19.00–19.30, Town Hall Square

     

  • Light show "Jää ja loo"

    19.30–20.00, Pirogov Park

     

  • Light show "Tähtede poole"

    20.00–20.15, Town Hall Square

     

1 December • 105th anniversary of the Estonian-language University of Tartu

1 December marks 105 years from the opening of the Estonian-language University of Tartu. Traditional anniversary events will be held on that occasion.

Events at 12.00, 17.00 and 19.30  • Free  • Tartu city

On 1 December at 12:00, the anniversary ceremony takes place in the assembly hall. The university’s doctorates and honorary doctorates will be conferred and the “Contribution to Estonian National Identity” award will be presented.

On 1 December at 17:00 will be the traditional torchlight procession. Gathering is in front of the academic building at Vanemuise 46. At 19:30 takes place anniversary ball in Vanemuine Concert Hall.