Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week

24 November – 30 November 2025

Not sure where to be this week? Every week, in partnership with Gamma, we present a hand-picked selection of the five most compelling events taking place in and around Tallinn – it’s time to plan your week with purpose.

Language Cafe

International House of Estonia’s Language Café pops up every Tuesday and Thursday – a gently chaotic, low-pressure spot to brush up your Estonian over something warm. Total beginner or just a bit rusty? Grab a seat. You’ll chat, pick up handy phrases, trade stories and skip the grammar drills entirely. It’s friendly, relaxed, and a clever way to boost your confidence while meeting others navigating the same language journey.

Escape Room Night

Puzzle lovers, this one’s for you – Escape Room Night is back, ready to test your teamwork, wit and nerves of steel. Seasoned code-cracker or total newbie, you’ll dive into themed rooms packed with clues, locks and clever surprises.

Gather your crew, pick your challenge and see if you can beat the clock. Expect laughter, light suspense and those sweet “aha!” moments that make escape rooms so addictive. Bring your sharpest minds – and maybe a brave friend or two.

Guided tour “The Wealthy and Handsome. The Brotherhood of Black Heads”

Curious about the hidden stars of medieval Tallinn? This tour spotlights the Brotherhood of Black Heads – the wealthy, stylish and surprisingly influential young merchants who shaped the city’s social scene. Famous for their grand Christmas and Shrovetide parties (and possibly the world’s first Christmas tree), they left behind stories that still echo through the Old Town.

You’ll meet their patron saint, Saint Maurice, dip into the rituals that steered their daily lives, and get a peek at how Hanseatic trade really worked. There’s even a detour into how a young merchant chose a bride – and what became of the brotherhood in modern times.

Led in English by Getter Kitsing of the Tallinn City Life Museum, it’s a lively, engaging way to wander through the city’s past.

Rita Ray & Johannes Laas Live

In the mood for something soulful, intimate and beautifully crafted? Pencil in this special concert with Rita Ray. Dubbed the crown jewel of Estonian soul, she broke through with her 2019 debut Old Love Will Rust and cemented her place with the award-winning Life of Its Own in 2022.

Usually backed by a full band, she strips things down here for a duet with guitarist Johannes Laas – a setup that lets her voice glow in all its magnetic, velvety detail. Expect an evening built around her original songs, with a few beloved Estonian pieces woven in. It’s the kind of performance where every note lands close, warm and honest.

Noblessner Christmas Tree Lighting

Noblessner kicks off the season with the lighting of its Christmas tree – a showstopper dressed by Shishi designers and glowing with 22,000 LED lights. Once the tree bursts to life, the boys’ choir Juhanid from the Estonian National Opera takes the stage, joined by soloist Ott Lepland. From there the festivities roll on with the Christmas Tree Jog, while out on the water sea kayakers and SUP paddlers from Tallinna mereaerutajad and Supster glide past in holiday-lit boats and boards.

All day long, the district joins in: think seasonal treats, warm cocoa and cider, mulled wine and Christmas dishes. Kai Art Centre hosts the exhibition On Fragile Ground with a guided tour at 13:00, and at 14:00 Kai Kino screens the beloved Estonian holiday classic Eia’s Christmas at Phantom Owl Farm to mark the first Sunday of Advent. A full day of lights, music, treats and pure winter magic.

Brought to you in collaboration with Gamma. Want more like this? Get Tallinn’s best events delivered straight to your inbox – three times a week, totally free. Just hit subscribe to join the Gamma newsletter.