14 July – 20 July 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.
Welcome Tour: Treasures of Medieval Art
Niguliste Museum, Niguliste 3, Tallinn
Tuesday, 15 July, from 1:00 PM
Step inside the Niguliste Museum – one of the Art Museum of Estonia’s Old Town gems – and join the Welcome Tour, a relaxed yet richly informative wander through centuries of culture. Led by in-the-know museum professionals, this guided experience unpacks Estonia’s artistic treasures, from striking medieval altarpieces to the hauntingly beautiful Danse Macabre by Bernt Notke. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a local looking for a fresh perspective, the tour offers a smart, accessible way to get to grips with Estonia’s ecclesiastical art and ever-changing exhibitions.
Summer Concert Series at Arvo Pärt Centre
Arvo Pärt Centre, Laulasmaa
Tuesday, 15 July and Saturday, 19 July
To mark Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday, two special concerts are set to honour Estonia’s most celebrated composer. On 15 July, the Järvi Academy returns to Laulasmaa for the fifth consecutive year, teaming up with the Arvo Pärt Centre for an open concert-masterclass ahead of the Pärnu Music Festival. The day culminates in an evening concert at 8pm.
Then, on 19 July in Pärnu, the Estonian National Male Choir under Mikk Üleoja will pay tribute not only to Pärt, but also to fellow Estonian composer Veljo Tormis, whose 95th anniversary is being celebrated this year. Expect a powerful evening of choral brilliance.
Summer Classical Concert Series
Kadriorg Palace, Weizenbergi 37, Tallinn
Thursday, 17 July, from 7:00 PM
As dusk falls over the manicured gardens of Kadriorg, something magical happens inside the palace walls. This Baroque jewel –equal parts royal residence and art museum – sets the stage for an intimate chamber music series every Thursday evening.
Surrounded by centuries of history and masterpieces, audiences are treated to a rich mix of classical gems and bold contemporary works. It’s a rare chance to hear world-class music in a setting as elegant as the sound itself.
Sõprus Summer Cinema at Rotermann
Rotermanni Square
Thursday, 17 July from 9:00 PM
Kino Sõprus rolls out the projector once more for Sõpruse Suvekino, turning Tallinn’s Rotermann Quarter into an open-air cinema escape. From July through August, the central square becomes a 150-seat film haven under the stars, with screenings running Thursday to Sunday around 10pm.
Arrive early – doors open at 9pm, and optional intros kick off at 9:30. This year’s theme, Summer in the City, draws on the area’s sleek architecture, seaside breeze, and vibrant urban pulse, serving up a handpicked mix of art-house favourites and cult classics.
On Thursday, 17 July, the documentary Architecton, directed by Victor Kossakovsky, will be screened. This poetic feature meditates on architecture – from ancient temple ruins to earthquake-ravaged cities – through the lens of Michele De Lucchi’s landscape project and Evgueni Galperin’s music.
Nargen Festival 2025
Multiple venues in Estonia
From 15 July
Founded by conductor Tõnu Kaljuste, the Nargen Festival is Estonia’s longest-running – and arguably most eclectic – summer cultural celebration. From mid-July to early September, Tallinn and other picturesque locations across the country come alive with a vibrant mix of classical and contemporary music.
Think everything from haunting folk ensembles to full-scale orchestras and world-class soloists, all set against a backdrop of historic architecture and coastal charm. With performances staged in some of the city’s most atmospheric venues, Nargen offers a cultural deep-dive for curious ears.
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