A Summer full of culture – Opening Weekend | 15 – 19 May

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Visit the European Capital of Culture with Lux Express
Visiting the European Capital of Culture Tartu with Lux Express is now even cheaper!
Until the 31st of May, you can use the code TRTRIX40 for all round trips on the Tartu-Riga line for 40% off!
The discount extends to trips that take place until the 15th of June.
Visiting the European Capital of Culture Tartu with Lux Express is now even cheaper!
Until the 31st of May, you can use the code TRTRIX40 for all round trips on the Tartu-Riga line for 40% off!
The discount extends to trips that take place until the 15th of June.
15 – 19 May
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A journey of the senses in nature
16 – 18 May, Nõo parish
Luke Manor Park
A different way to immerse yourself in the world of cultural history, nature, and fantasy. Walk with the sounds and discover Luke Manor Park in a new way. We invite you on a journey of the senses, where sounds, stories, and fantasy create the opportunity for Luke to become a place for you to leave your heart!
16 – 18 May, Nõo parish
Luke Manor Park
A different way to immerse yourself in the world of cultural history, nature, and fantasy. Walk with the sounds and discover Luke Manor Park in a new way. We invite you on a journey of the senses, where sounds, stories, and fantasy create the opportunity for Luke to become a place for you to leave your heart!
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Tartu [pre]opinion Festival
17 – 18 May, Tartu city
Tartu Central Park | Free
The [pre]opinion Festival is a local discussion event that travels around Estonia, inspired by the lively atmosphere of the Opinion Festival held in Paide. At the festival, you can visit 4 different discussion areas, where 4 engaging discussion panels will take place on both days.
17 – 18 May, Tartu city
Tartu Central Park | Free
The [pre]opinion Festival is a local discussion event that travels around Estonia, inspired by the lively atmosphere of the Opinion Festival held in Paide. At the festival, you can visit 4 different discussion areas, where 4 engaging discussion panels will take place on both days.
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Hybrid European Democracy Festival
17 – 18 May, Tartu city
Free
A discussion festival that seeks to connect people from all over Europe. For two days in May 2024, this festival joins people for discussions from over 20 festival hubs in European cities. The festival is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme. The discussions will be held mostly in English
17 – 18 May, Tartu city
Free
A discussion festival that seeks to connect people from all over Europe. For two days in May 2024, this festival joins people for discussions from over 20 festival hubs in European cities. The festival is a part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 main programme. The discussions will be held mostly in English
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Green Biking Tour
17 – 19 May, Tartu city
Tartu, Tartu parish, Põlva parish, Võru parish
The biking tour takes us on an exciting trip to enjoy the sights around Tartu. Three days full of diverse environment and culture program and company of best friends. True musical gourmet for evening campsites – Smilers and Nedsaja Village Band. The trip ends with a Curly Strings concert.
17 – 19 May, Tartu city
Tartu, Tartu parish, Põlva parish, Võru parish
The biking tour takes us on an exciting trip to enjoy the sights around Tartu. Three days full of diverse environment and culture program and company of best friends. True musical gourmet for evening campsites – Smilers and Nedsaja Village Band. The trip ends with a Curly Strings concert.
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The Tuning of Valga
17 May – 27 September, Valga parish
Valga Culture and Hobby Centre | Free
An installation which uses audiovisual means to address synchronicity and the relationship between humans and their surroundings. The installation will change the face of the Valga Culture and Hobby Centre, dealing with creating new angles and reflections.
17 May – 27 September, Valga parish
Valga Culture and Hobby Centre | Free
An installation which uses audiovisual means to address synchronicity and the relationship between humans and their surroundings. The installation will change the face of the Valga Culture and Hobby Centre, dealing with creating new angles and reflections.
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Kissing Tartu – concert show and a collective kiss
18 May, Tartu city
Town Hall Square | Free
On the 18th of May 2024, the European Capital of Culture will witness a historic event that will debunk the image of modest and cool Estonians. We will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Estonia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and share a kiss together.
18 May, Tartu city
Town Hall Square | Free
On the 18th of May 2024, the European Capital of Culture will witness a historic event that will debunk the image of modest and cool Estonians. We will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Estonia’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest and share a kiss together.
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Youngsters Eurovision 2024
18 May at 16:00, Tartu
Town Hall Square | Free
Laulupesa and Shaté Eurovision concert-performance brings the audience a true show and offers an authentic Eurovision experience! On stage, 18 unforgettable hits will be performed by 250 talented young artists.
18 May at 16:00, Tartu
Town Hall Square | Free
Laulupesa and Shaté Eurovision concert-performance brings the audience a true show and offers an authentic Eurovision experience! On stage, 18 unforgettable hits will be performed by 250 talented young artists.
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Museum Night
18 May, Tartumaa parish
Different museums over Tartumaa
One Saturday evening in May each year, museums and other memory institutions open their doors later than usual, at a symbolic price or even for free, to celebrate the pan-European Museum Night. The Estonian Museum Association has been organising Museum Nights since 2009. It was also the first time that the Museum Night was held all over Estonia.
18 May, Tartumaa parish
Different museums over Tartumaa
One Saturday evening in May each year, museums and other memory institutions open their doors later than usual, at a symbolic price or even for free, to celebrate the pan-European Museum Night. The Estonian Museum Association has been organising Museum Nights since 2009. It was also the first time that the Museum Night was held all over Estonia.
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Alumni get-together “Back to the university”
18 May, Tartu city
The University of Tartu invites its alumni back to Tartu on 18 May. The first half of the “Back to the university” day will be filled with reunions at the institutes, tours of the university buildings, lectures by legendary professors and revived student traditions. In the evening, there will be a sing-along in front of the main building, a procession and a party in the sports hall.
18 May, Tartu city
The University of Tartu invites its alumni back to Tartu on 18 May. The first half of the “Back to the university” day will be filled with reunions at the institutes, tours of the university buildings, lectures by legendary professors and revived student traditions. In the evening, there will be a sing-along in front of the main building, a procession and a party in the sports hall.
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Enchanting Home Lights
18 May, Elva parish
Elva Culture Centre | Free
During the day, we will bring out the uniqueness of the Konguta region of Elva municipality through the stories of different people, practical workshops and artistic production. We hope that our home lights will also attract people from other regions, who are interested in our practical skills and the unique story of our homeplace, in which there is recognition for everyone.
18 May, Elva parish
Elva Culture Centre | Free
During the day, we will bring out the uniqueness of the Konguta region of Elva municipality through the stories of different people, practical workshops and artistic production. We hope that our home lights will also attract people from other regions, who are interested in our practical skills and the unique story of our homeplace, in which there is recognition for everyone.
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“Surrealism 100" – Joanna Hoffmann's curator tour
18 May, Tartu city
Estonian National Museum
The exhibition „Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu and other stories…“ has been created in cooperation with the National Gallery Prague to celebrate the centenary of the Surrealist manifesto. Czech and Estonian surrealist surrealism enters a dialogue to focus on the artistic narrative in the context of Eastern and Central Europe.
18 May, Tartu city
Estonian National Museum
The exhibition „Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu and other stories…“ has been created in cooperation with the National Gallery Prague to celebrate the centenary of the Surrealist manifesto. Czech and Estonian surrealist surrealism enters a dialogue to focus on the artistic narrative in the context of Eastern and Central Europe.
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Toomemägi Revisited: Lifesaver
18 May – 30 September, Tartu city
Toomemägi | Free
The purpose of the Lifesaver project is to open up genetics, a crucial field of modern science and research, as a symbiosis of art and science. In Estonia, awareness of genetics in society has grown thanks to the work of the University of Tartu’s Estonian Biobank.
18 May – 30 September, Tartu city
Toomemägi | Free
The purpose of the Lifesaver project is to open up genetics, a crucial field of modern science and research, as a symbiosis of art and science. In Estonia, awareness of genetics in society has grown thanks to the work of the University of Tartu’s Estonian Biobank.
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Siinpool sood: Drag Brunch
19 May at 14:00-17:00, Tartu City
Cafe Käkk
Siinpool sood brings you Tartu’s first drag brunch! The cultural capital’s inaugural drag brunch will take place in the cosy café Käkk, on the edge of Supilinn. On stage will be Anu the Drag Queen, Dirty Mary, Helmehirmutis, Molly Matrix, and Vilma Vaginosis. The day will be hosted by Oleandro.
19 May at 14:00-17:00, Tartu City
Cafe Käkk
Siinpool sood brings you Tartu’s first drag brunch! The cultural capital’s inaugural drag brunch will take place in the cosy café Käkk, on the edge of Supilinn. On stage will be Anu the Drag Queen, Dirty Mary, Helmehirmutis, Molly Matrix, and Vilma Vaginosis. The day will be hosted by Oleandro.
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The opening event of Luke Manor with a cafe day
19 May, Nõo parish
Luke Manor| Free
The summer season of Luke Manor opens with a cafe day on a wonderful Sunday in May. The lottery, musical interludes and various activities for both children and nature lovers will bring variety to the day. In the Manor Park, different cafes of the area are open, where you can taste local delicacies.
19 May, Nõo parish
Luke Manor| Free
The summer season of Luke Manor opens with a cafe day on a wonderful Sunday in May. The lottery, musical interludes and various activities for both children and nature lovers will bring variety to the day. In the Manor Park, different cafes of the area are open, where you can taste local delicacies.
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Peipsiääre community festival “Bridges”
19 May, Peipsiääre parish
Koosa | Free
At the Peipsiääre community festival, various communities of the municipality have the opportunity to introduce their activities. The community festival program includes lectures and discussions on important topics. You can watch performances by amateur groups, participate in workshops, and enjoy the flavours of Peipsiääre in festival cafes.
19 May, Peipsiääre parish
Koosa | Free
At the Peipsiääre community festival, various communities of the municipality have the opportunity to introduce their activities. The community festival program includes lectures and discussions on important topics. You can watch performances by amateur groups, participate in workshops, and enjoy the flavours of Peipsiääre in festival cafes.
Ongoing
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Exhibition “Who Claims the Night?”
17 February 2024 – 24 February 2025, Tartu city
Estonian National Museum
In 2024, the Estonian National Museum will shine a light on city life at night. The exhibition ‘Who Claims the Night?’ explores how people have experienced the night in Estonian cities in the past, and delves into the multitude of meanings of the contemporary night
17 February 2024 – 24 February 2025, Tartu city
Estonian National Museum
In 2024, the Estonian National Museum will shine a light on city life at night. The exhibition ‘Who Claims the Night?’ explores how people have experienced the night in Estonian cities in the past, and delves into the multitude of meanings of the contemporary night
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Exhibition “Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu and other stories…”
4 April – 8 September, Tartu parish
Estonian National Museum
The exhibition „Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu and other stories…“ has been created in cooperation with the National Gallery Prague to celebrate the centenary of the Surrealist manifesto. Czech and Estonian surrealist surrealism enters a dialogue to focus on the artistic narrative in the context of Eastern and Central Europe.
4 April – 8 September, Tartu parish
Estonian National Museum
The exhibition „Surrealism 100. Prague, Tartu and other stories…“ has been created in cooperation with the National Gallery Prague to celebrate the centenary of the Surrealist manifesto. Czech and Estonian surrealist surrealism enters a dialogue to focus on the artistic narrative in the context of Eastern and Central Europe.
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“Washing Machine Made of Beetroot: Resourcefulness in the City”
24 April – 29 December, Tartu city
Tartu City Museum
At the sub-exhibition in the Tartu City Museum, you can witness the creativity and resourcefulness that urban Soviet citizens had to possess. You can also see a home photo lab built in a small city home bathroom. The sub-exhibition is made based on the recollections of Tartu residents.
24 April – 29 December, Tartu city
Tartu City Museum
At the sub-exhibition in the Tartu City Museum, you can witness the creativity and resourcefulness that urban Soviet citizens had to possess. You can also see a home photo lab built in a small city home bathroom. The sub-exhibition is made based on the recollections of Tartu residents.
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“Washing Machine Made of Beetroot: Resourcefulness in the Countryside”
24 April 2024 – 21 September 2025, Kambja parish
Estonian Agricultural Museum
At the sub-exhibition in the Tartu City Museum, you can witness the creativity and resourcefulness that Soviet citizens living in the countryside had to possess. It is an exhibition about inventing, creativity, and re-usage, but also about the desire for a modern and comfortable life.
24 April 2024 – 21 September 2025, Kambja parish
Estonian Agricultural Museum
At the sub-exhibition in the Tartu City Museum, you can witness the creativity and resourcefulness that Soviet citizens living in the countryside had to possess. It is an exhibition about inventing, creativity, and re-usage, but also about the desire for a modern and comfortable life.
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Washing Machine Made of Beetroot: Ingenuity on the Road
27 April 2024 – 28 September 2025, Kanepi parish
Estonian Road Museum
The “Ingenuity on the Road” exhibition introduces the audience to various self-made solutions that aided Soviet citizens in travelling from point A to point B. It explores the methods people used to get around and how essential machines were invented and constructed, both in garages and sheds, but also within government institutions.
27 April 2024 – 28 September 2025, Kanepi parish
Estonian Road Museum
The “Ingenuity on the Road” exhibition introduces the audience to various self-made solutions that aided Soviet citizens in travelling from point A to point B. It explores the methods people used to get around and how essential machines were invented and constructed, both in garages and sheds, but also within government institutions.