Tartu’s Car-Free Avenue is an event for the whole family
Text Susanna Poikela
Photos Silver Gutmann / Tartu 2024
The popular Car-Free Avenue – a city event, is organised in Tartu again this year, the purpose of which is to create a common urban space where people can have fun and enjoy together city life and the versatile programme. The car-free avenue will remain open until August 12, and the event is free for everyone.
The event aims to spark a discussion about urban space: How do we want it to develop in the future? Can urban planning take pedestrians and cyclists into account better? What kind of public space best serves city dwellers? How to reduce the traffic load in the city center?
The car-free avenue has a carousel and climbing frames for children. As in previous years, recreation areas have also been built on the road. A stage has been built on which performers take to the stage every Thursday. There is a programme related to the year of sports on Fridays, and family-oriented activities are available on Saturdays. Elektriteater is also organising movie nights for the whole family on Saturdays.
Tartu’s youth centers will also move from their indoor premises to the car-free avenue for the summer. Guided activities are available for children and young people every day. The avenue is closed to traffic from Tartu’s market building all the way to Kaarisild bridge.
Jordan Rakei, Bill Frisell, and UMO to Headline Jazzkaar
The annual Jazzkaar festival will once again fill concert halls, clubs, and a range of uniquely atmospheric venues in … Read more
16.4.2026 | History
Equipment That Can Withstand Even the Roughest Knightly Games
If you find Estonia’s historic fortresses to be rather dull museum attractions—stone structures of walls and loopholes without engaging … Read more
16.4.2026 | Culture
Estonian Summer Music Festival Guide 2026
An old Estonian proverb says, “Don’t count your festivals before they hatch.” Not because a festival might be cancelled, … Read more
15.4.2026 | Culture
Ready for Some Good Sax?
International saxophone stars will perform in two venues on 2 May in Tallinn. These two venues are Uus Laine … Read more
14.4.2026 | Culture
Finno-Ugric Folktronica Concert in Tartu’s Genklubi
Finno-Ugric Folktronica is a one-night music programme taking place at Genialistide Klubi in Tartu, also known locally as Genklubi, … Read more
14.4.2026 | Culture
A Norwegian–Estonian–Finnish Evening of Music
This Saturday, 18 April, the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, sometimes described as an all-star ensemble of Norwegian musicians and celebrating … Read more
13.4.2026 | Culture
Exciting events in Estonia this week
10 April–31 October Consulate of EGS exhibition, Tallinn Works by the internationally renowned Finnish graffiti, contemporary and glass artist … Read more
12.4.2026 | Culture
Iberofest Celebrates Several Countries
Officially named the Iberoamerican Culture Celebration, but unofficially dubbed Iberofest, this long-running festival will begin in April and extend … Read more