Your Tallinn hit list: the top 5 events this week

29 December 2025 – 04 January 2026

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.

Patarei Sea Fortress Tour

Patarei Sea Fortress, Kalaranna 28, Tallinn

Wednesday 31 December, from 2 p.m.

This is a rare chance to step inside Patarei Sea Fortress before its eerie interiors vanish for good. On an exclusive tour by the Estonian Centre for Architecture, heavy doors open onto maze-like corridors, hidden rooms and areas never before accessible to the public. Built in the 19th century as a coastal fort, later transformed into barracks and one of Estonia’s most notorious prisons, Patarei carries layers of history that feel almost alive as you walk through it. Before the site is reborn as a modern seaside district, this tour offers a final, fascinating look at a place where architecture, power and unsettling stories collide — equal parts historic, haunting and unforgettable.

NYE concert and light show

Vabaduse Väljak, Tallinn

Wednesday, 31 December, from 10 pm

Tallinn rings in the New Year in style at Freedom Square with a high-energy open-air concert. The lineup brings together some of Estonia’s most loved names — Synne Valtri Band, 5MIINUST and Terminaator — guiding the crowd from warm-up vibes straight into midnight celebrations. Skipping traditional fireworks, the show swaps bangs for flames, sparks and laser effects, all choreographed to the music for a finale that’s bold, bright and a little futuristic. The event is free to attend but if you prefer celebrating from the sofa, Kanal 2 will be broadcasting live moments throughout the night. A classic countdown, minus the fireworks, plus a lot of atmosphere.

New Year’s Eve Events 

Various venues in Tallinn

Wednesday, 31 December 2025

This New Year’s Eve, Gamma has you covered with Tallinn’s end-of-year hit list — a carefully curated guide to ringing in 2026 the way you like it best.

Whether you’re chasing live concerts, late-night parties, cozy countdowns or a front-row spot for the city’s main celebrations, our round-up gathers the best of the night: music-filled squares, glow-lit finales, after-midnight dancing and places to toast properly as the clock strikes twelve.

From open-air shows to all-night venues and quiet glasses at midnight to full-volume celebrations, Gamma’s New Year’s Eve Guide makes it easy to plan a send-off worth remembering — and a start to the year that feels just right.

Free Museum Sunday

Various venues in Tallinn

Sunday, 04 January

Free Museum Sunday turns the first Sunday of each month into a cultural treasure hunt. Tallinn’s museums – from medieval fortresses to modern art halls – drop the entry fee, inviting you to roam, linger and stumble upon new favourites. Perfect for families, history buffs or anyone who appreciates a freebie with real substance.

Tallinn’s International Bach Music Festival

Various venues around Tallinn

From Thursday, January 01 to Tuesday, January 06

If your January needs a lift of elegance (and your ears are ready for something sensational), bachFest is Tallinn’s cherished international music festival that turns the start of the year into a weeklong celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach and his baroque contemporaries. Iconic city venues come alive with masterful performances featuring Estonian premieres, world-class musicians and atmospheric works that range from Bach’s timeless fugues to gems by his Baroque peers — all woven into soaring, soul-stirring concerts. Whether you’re a long-time classical fan or new to the genre, the festival’s mix of emotion, craft, and rich historical vibes offers an unforgettable way to usher in the new year with something deep, beautiful and utterly uplifting.

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.