What to do in Tallinn over Easter?

Estonia may be one of the least religious countries in the world, but when it comes to religious holidays, Estonians generally give the nod or combine it with one of their own folk traditions.*
Easter, commemorating the crucifixion and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus – a Jewish preacher and religious leader who became the central figure of Christianity – may have had a completely alien connotation for Estonians before the Teutonic Knights brought Christianity to the country in the 13th century, but in Estonia’s folk calendar, Easter is celebrated as a spring holiday to welcome the arrival of the lighter and warmer season.

Image by Estonian Open Air Museum

Once the Christian customs mixed with the local traditions, a new set of habits emerged over time.

In the folk calendar, Kevadepüha or spring holiday falls anywhere between 16 March and 20 April in the week leading up to Easter. Traditionally, this week was important for completing household chores, such as cleaning after a long winter. The weather during the week could apparently predict the climate for the summer. If it was raining, a wet summer was to follow and if there was fog, a hot summer was in store.

Read more about Estonian Easter Traditions here: Easter in Estonia

So to have an exciting and memorable Easter weekend in Tallinn here’s a list of places open and welcoming visitors over the holidays. Happy Easter!

The Tallinn TV Tower is open to visitors during the holiday. In addition to the marvelous panoramic views of the city from 170 meters high up, the new exhibition “GENE-IUS” guides you through genetics, the history of it and its promising future.

The Estonian Open Air Museum, which maintains and showcases Estonian heritage and keeps the traditions alive, offers visitors a chance to take part in local Easter games and songs along with typical festive food on April 21. Of course, the egg is a focal feature of Easter celebrations. At the museum, you can try your hand in dyeing eggs, participate in an egg cracking competition and go on an egg hunt.

The residents of the Tallinn Zoo gladly welcome all visitors every day of the year. On Saturday, April 20, the zoo celebrates mink day, and on Sunday, April 21, you can find out more about the animals with lectures by the lion’s at 13:00 and by the polar bear center at 14:00.

• Estonian Museum of Natural History
• Estonian Health Care Museum
• Museum of the Estonian Drink Culture (19.04 open, 21.04 closed)
• Tallinn Town Wall
• Marzipan room
• Energy Discovery Center
• Seaplane Harbor
• KGB Prison Cells
• Vabamu Museum of Occupations and Freedom
• Estonian Open Air Museum
• Tallinn Zoo
• Tallinn TV Tower
• Tallinn Botanic Garden
• St. Bridget’s Convent Ruins
• Cathedral of St Mary the Virgin (Dome Church’s) Tower (except during church service)
• Holy Spirit Church (except during church service)

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