Tallinn has a year-long, bustling arts scene, with everything from small-scale alternative creations right through to grand opera performances and classical music recitals. Many performances are only in Estonian as the country celebrates the return of the local language after decades of Soviet-era suppression. Check out Tallinn in Your Pocket, a bi-monthly guide to the city, for details of major events. The tourist office can also often help with information and bookings, but there is no last minute ticketing agency as such.

Main cultural venues in the city include the Estonian National Opera, Estonia 4 (tel: 683 1260; website: www.opera.ee), which is housed in the same building as the Estonian Concert Hall (tel: 614 7760; website: www.concert.ee). The massive concrete Linnahall, Mere 20 (tel: 641 1600; website: www.linnahall.ee), and the Estonian Drama Theatre, Parnu 5 (tel: 680 5555; website: www.draamateater.ee) are also worth checking out. An alternative venue is the Von Krahl Theatre, Rataskaevu 10 (tel: 626 9090; website: www.vonkrahl.ee), a favourite of the local student community.