Tallinn Music Week – Estonia 2026

Background & History

Tallinn Music Week (TMW), launched in 2009 by Helen Sildna through Shiftworks OÜ in Tallinn, Estonia, began as a showcase for emerging Nordic-Baltic musicians and a conference for industry professionals. It has since evolved into one of Europe’s premier multi-genre music and cultural festivals, celebrated for its role in fostering new talent and cross-disciplinary innovation. Held annually in Tallinn, TMW integrates music with arts, design, technology, food, and urban development, earning recognition from The Guardian in 2014 as a top winter music festival, praised for its setting amid Tallinn’s art-nouveau architecture and free public transport. The festival has garnered accolades like the Tampere Music Award (2014) for exceptional achievements and the Covid-19 Champion award at The Great Escape (2022) for its innovative Tallinn-Narva edition. Helen Sildna received Estonia’s Order of the White Star (IV Class) in 2016 for her contributions to music and civil society.

TMW has grown from a niche event to a global platform, attracting 20,000 festival-goers and 1,000 industry professionals annually by 2024, with 18,814 visits recorded in 2025. It has propelled Estonian acts like Maarja Nuut, Trad.Attack!, Mari Kalkun, Mart Avi, Holy Motors, and Ewert and The Two Dragons to international stages, alongside foreign artists such as Russian post-punks Shortparis and Molchat Doma, Ukrainian rapper alyona alyona, and Finnish electronic artist Jaakko-Eino Kalevi. Past performers include luminaries like Vashti Bunyan (UK), C Duncan (UK), and Hauschka (Germany). TMW’s artist awards, voted by delegates and audiences, have honored acts like Iiris (2010), Talbot (2012), and Superkoloritas (LT, 2024 Telliskivi Creative City Award).

Since 2017, TMW has embraced the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning with the 2015 global agreement by 193 countries to achieve sustainability by 2030. TMW focuses on environmental awareness, mental health, gender equality, inclusion of marginalized groups, and cultural resilience, with a unique Estonian SDG: “The viability of the Estonian cultural space,” ensuring national identity through culture. As a UNESCO Music City Tallinn partner since 2023, TMW integrates SDGs into its music industry framework, hosting conferences, youth hackathons, and public talks. Notable initiatives include the 2023 “green rider” for sustainable events, mental health seminars (e.g., 2024’s “Mental Health in the Music Field” with Rosana Corbacho), and the 2019 #suurimjulgus campaign addressing cyberbullying. Partnerships with MyFitness and Telia further promote well-being and digital culture.

Event Highlights

TMW 2026, set for April 9-12, will feature 175-180 artists from 39+ countries, spanning genres from experimental electronica to classical, jazz, funk, and indie rock, performed across Tallinn’s top venues. The festival draws 18,000-20,000 attendees, including 1,000+ music professionals, making it a key networking hub for the Nordic-Baltic region.

• Main Activities or Performances: The music festival runs April 9-11, with daytime city stage gigs in unique locations (e.g., Viru Keskus Atrium, Balti Jaama Turg) and evening concerts in clubs like F-hoone Black Hall, Von Krahl Telliskivi, and Paavli Culture Factory. Highlights include Jazz Estonia’s showcase at Fotografiska Tallinn, featuring European jazz improvisation; Made in Canada night at F-hoone with emerging Canadian acts; and electronic music nights at Paavli Kultuurivabrik. The TMW conference (April 9-12) offers panels on sustainability, mental health, and music industry trends, with digital access via DigiPRO. Youth programs, like the TMW Youth Festival at Terminal Records on April 4, feature talks and performances by bands like Faith Unfazed and Echolove.
• Special Traditions or Features: TMW’s SDG integration is a hallmark, with initiatives like the 2023 green rider for eco-friendly events, youth hackathons addressing mental health, and gender-equal lineups promoting inclusivity. The festival hosts TMW Talks, public discussions on societal issues like cyberbullying and depression, and awards like the Telliskivi Creative City Award for innovative acts. UNESCO Music City partnerships enhance sustainable music strategies, with 2026 events tied to Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture.
• Unique Attractions for Visitors: Daytime explorations include art tours in Noblessner (visiting Kai Art Center and Temnikova & Kasela gallery), cuisine tastings at Balti Jaama Turg, and urban activations in Kalamaja. Special events like Laine Live’s youth music blast, Funk Embassy’s soul-disco nights, and site-specific concerts (e.g., “Frozen People” electronic previews) blend music with Tallinn’s medieval Old Town and creative hubs. Immersive experiences, such as music therapy workshops in saunas, offer unique cultural engagement.

Sustainability Focus

TMW’s sustainability efforts align with UN SDGs, including Good Health and Well-Being (mental health panels on burnout, cyberbullying), Gender Equality (diverse lineups), Reduced Inequalities (inclusion of marginalized groups), Sustainable Cities and Communities (urban activations), Responsible Consumption and Production (green rider for waste reduction), and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (justice-focused talks).

Since 2023, as a UNESCO Music City Tallinn partner, TMW released a green rider guide with Viljandi Folk Music Festival, offering eco-friendly practices like carbon-neutral event planning and inclusive programming. Activities include youth nights for safe mental health discussions, MyFitness partnerships for physical well-being, and conferences on culture’s role in SDGs. The 2024 seminar “Mental Health in the Music Field” with Rosana Corbacho and the 2021 TMW x Infohunt Youth Creative Hackathon exemplify these commitments, alongside Estonia’s unique SDG for cultural vitality.

Date & Duration

Dates: April 9 – 12, 2026
Duration: 4 days

Venue / Location

TMW 2026 spans Tallinn’s creative districts, with Telliskivi Creative City as the main hub—a former industrial complex now a vibrant center for galleries, cafes, street art, and music venues. Key locations include F-hoone Black Hall, Von Krahl Telliskivi, Paavli Culture Factory, Fotografiska Tallinn, Nihe, Terminal Records & Bar, Viru Keskus, Balti Jaama Turg, Noblessner’s harbor district, and the Arvo Pärt Centre in Laulasmaa (40 min from Tallinn). These venues offer diverse settings, from gritty lofts to seaside cultural hubs, all within Tallinn’s compact, walkable layout.

Google Maps Address: Telliskivi 60a, 10412 Tallinn, Estonia (https://maps.app.goo.gl/creativecitytelliskivi).

Ticket Information

Tickets are available online via tmw.ee/passes-and-tickets and Piletilevi for single tickets, with wristband exchanges at TMW info desks during the festival. Options include:

• Festival Pass: Access to all music events (April 9-11).
• PRO Pass: Includes festival, conference, and networking events.
• YoungPRO Pass: 40% discount for under 26 or music students.
• DigiPRO Pass: Digital conference access, upgradable to PRO.
• Single Tickets: One event/day, priority entry.

Tickets are non-refundable, and overcrowding may limit access despite passes; no reserved seating. Purchase online; on-site sales limited. Contact ticket@tmw.ee for issues. Admission is paid; no lottery system.

Ticket Pricing (USD, approximate based on EUR rates):

• Minimum: Single Tickets ~$15 USD (early bird, basic entry).
• Maximum: PRO Pass ~$300 USD (full access). YoungPRO ~$180 USD; DigiPRO ~$100 USD.

Special Seating or VIP Options: No dedicated VIP seating, but PRO Pass holders get priority door access and exclusive networking lounges with artist education workshops. Venues enforce house rules; contact info@tmw.ee for accessibility needs.

Contact Information

General Enquiries: info@tmw.ee
Tickets: ticket@tmw.ee
Press: pr@tmw.ee (Ingrid Kohtla, Head of PR & Communications)
Volunteers: volunteers@tmw.ee (Karina Kirs, Coordinator)
Key Staff:

• Helen Sildna (Founder/Head of Strategy): helen@tmw.ee
• Eva Johanna Lepikov (Executive Producer): eva@tmw.ee
• Taavi Esperk (Head of Music Programme): taavi@tmw.ee
• Indrek Migur (Head of Conference): indrek@tmw.ee
• Elo Võrk (Head of Marketing/Partnerships): elo@tmw.ee
  Phone: +372 672 6608
  Website: https://tmw.ee; https://tmw.ee/artist-applications (for performers)
  Social Media: @tallinnmusicweek (Instagram, X/Twitter, Facebook)
  Press/Volunteers: Press via pr@tmw.ee; volunteer roles (info desks, logistics, artist hospitality) via application form at volunteers@tmw.ee, with training provided.
  Note: Response time ~24–48 hours. Support in English/Estonian; Russian via dan@tmw.ee (Dan Rotar).

Cultural Experience

TMW 2026 celebrates Estonia’s cultural tapestry, blending medieval heritage with modern creativity in Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, known for its Gothic spires and cobblestone streets. Music reflects Estonia’s “singing revolution” legacy—mass choral protests that fueled independence in 1991—featuring genres like folk-inspired runo songs, torupill (Estonian bagpipe) fusions, and avant-garde electronica. Expect vibrant costumes: traditional embroidered vests paired with urban streetwear in youth performances, and eco-conscious attire at indie gigs reflecting TMW’s SDG focus on sustainability and inclusion.

Daytime activities include street art tours in Noblessner, a former submarine factory turned cultural hub, showcasing murals and galleries like Kai Art Center. Public TMW Talks in saunas or cafes explore digital culture, mental health, and justice, tying to Estonia’s sauna tradition (birch whisks, herbal steams) as a communal wellness ritual. Evening concerts at Telliskivi or Paavli feature gender-equal lineups and marginalized voices, fostering inclusive vibes. Visitors can join impromptu city-stage dances, hackathons, or workshops on music therapy, immersing in Estonia’s resilient spirit and Nordic minimalism.

Food & Drinks

TMW transforms venues into sustainable food hubs, emphasizing local, low-impact flavors per SDG Responsible Consumption and Production. Must-try specialties include:

• Estonian Black Bread (Leib): Served with smoked sprats or creamy elk soup at Balti Jaama Turg’s food halls.
• Craft Beers: Põhjala Brewery’s Baltic Porter or Öllenaut lagers at Terminal Records & Bar.
• Foraged Drinks: Rhubarb wine or honey mead at Telliskivi pop-ups.
• Fusion Bites: Guinean-inspired plantain fritters with jazz at Nihe; vegan reindeer tacos or kama (fermented rye) bowls at Viru Keskus chef pop-ups.
• Eco-Drinks: Nettle-infused gins or orchard ciders, sourced sustainably per TMW’s green rider.

F-hoone offers late-night street food like marinated herring on rye, while Noblessner’s markets feature Michelin-starred seasonal dishes. MyFitness-inspired healthy snacks (e.g., berry smoothies) complement wellness panels, ensuring eco-conscious dining across venues.

Getting There

By Air: Tallinn Airport (TLL), 4 km from the city center, offers flights from European hubs (e.g., London via Finnair, 2-3 hours; Frankfurt via Lufthansa). From TLL:

• Bus: Lines 2 or 15 (€2, 20-25 min to Baltic Station near Telliskivi; buy via contactless card or ticket machine).
• Taxi: Bolt or official taxis (~$10-15, 10 min).
  By Sea: Ferries from Helsinki (2 hours, Tallink Silja, multiple daily) or Stockholm (overnight) dock at Tallinn’s passenger port, a 15-min walk to venues.
  By Land: Trains/buses from Riga (4 hours) or Tartu (2 hours) arrive at Baltic Station, 5-min walk to Telliskivi.

Public Transport: Tallinn’s free trams/buses (Ühiskaart app) connect all venues; tram construction may affect 2026 routes—check signs.
Parking: Limited at Telliskivi (~$5/day); airport A2 long-stay (~$10/day, EV chargers).
Biking/Walking: Free Citybike rentals or Bolt rideshares (~$5 across town) offer eco-friendly access. Tallinn’s compact layout makes venues walkable.

Accommodation Options

Stay near Telliskivi for proximity to venues and Kalamaja’s creative vibe. Options include:

• Budget: Citybox Tallinn (~$50/night, modern pods, 10-min walk to Telliskivi); Hestia Hotel Europa (~$60, central with saunas).
• Mid-Range: Radisson Collection Tallinn (~$120, luxury, 1.1 mi from Telliskivi, spa/fitness); Hyatt Place Tallinn (~$100, near Kalarand beach, free breakfast).
• Boutique: Taanilinna Hotell (~$90, Old Town historic beams, 15-min tram to venues).
• Splurge: Merchants House Hotel (~$150, spa, Old Town views).
• Apartments: Airbnb’s Brand New Apartment in Telliskivi (~$53/night, kitchen-equipped).

Book via Booking.com/Expedia for deals; many hotels offer free WiFi, EV parking, and SDG-aligned eco-certifications. Noblessner or Kalamaja stays add immersion with nearby galleries, cafes, and street art.