14.04.2026
university

What to do in Tartu during spring school holidays?

University of Tartu Museum building
Author: Undercliff Creative

The University of Tartu museums, with their rich collections, offer discovery and excitement for visitors of all ages. During the spring holidays, you are welcome to visit the university’s museum, art museum, botanical garden, natural history museum and the library. Read and find out which exciting exhibitions and events are taking place in Tartu during the holiday week.

1. Learn from cats how to rule the world at the University of Tartu Library

The exhibition How to rule the world explores the phenomenon of power through the nature of cats.

  • How can you gain authority and popularity, and get your way without giving orders or using force? This exhibition, equally engaging for schoolchildren and their parents, invites visitors to consider what humans could learn from cats. The exhibition explains why cats become attached to people, why people love cat pictures, why black cats are associated with superstition, and much more that we may never have thought about while watching or stroking these charming animals.

    The exhibition is open Mon–Fri 9:00–21:00, Sat–Sun 12:00–18:00.

2. Discover student life, science and medieval Tartu at the University of Tartu Museum

  • The nostalgic exhibition The University of Our Lives tells the story of students who have studied at the University of Tartu over the years.

  • The Crazy Scientist’s Lab includes a play area where children can experiment, operate the electricity wall, and explore the world of science.

  • The Cathedral’s Chamber of Mysteries brings together stories and legends of the 800-year-old Tartu Cathedral. Visitors can watch an animation about its construction and build a medieval city wall of Tartu themselves.

  • An exciting treasure hunt is organised for children at the museum.

3. Explore student life from past centuries at the University of Tartu Art Museum

  • Get to know Voltaire and see what living conditions were like in the historical lock-up.
  • The exhibition Voltaire: Making History sheds light on the influence of the French writer and philosopher on Estonian cultural history.
  • The art museum also houses a Mummy Chamber with two mummies and a sarcophagus.
  • The lock-up in the attic of the main building is where students who had misbehaved were detained. In this authentic setting, you will find out how students spent their time while serving their punishment.
  • An exciting treasure hunt is organised for children at the art museum.

4. Discover space and study the impact of asteroids on Earth at the Old Observatory

  • The Old Observatory’s exhibition halls introduce astronomy, geodesy and seismology, offering engaging content for both adults and children. The outdoor exhibitions in front of the observatory feature captivating astrophotography and invite visitors to reflect on the dangers and possibilities of asteroids.

  • An exciting treasure hunt is organised for children at the Old Observatory.

5. Estonia’s most species-rich botanical garden and tropical greenhouse await visitors

  • The botanical garden has a long and distinguished history and is exceptionally rich in species. Nearly 10,000 plant species and varieties from different climate zones of the world grow across its 3.2-hectare area.
  • The greenhouse features fascinating and exotic plants from almost every continent on its growing space of over 700 square metres. In addition to plants, visitors enjoy seeing turtles, fish, parrots and giant stick insects.

6. Discover the story of planet Earth at the Natural History Museum

  • The University of Tartu Natural History Museum is Estonia’s oldest museum, with a history of over 220 years. Its permanent exhibition Earth. Life. Story takes visitors on a journey through the development of living and non-living nature on Earth from the emergence of the universe to today’s natural diversity. Around 8,000 specimens are displayed from the museum’s collection of 1.3 million.
  • On 16 April, schoolchildren are invited to the school-holiday nature day “Get to know birds”. Do you know how to identify birds and describe their appearance? Why do male birds sing? Where do birds build their nests? During the nature day event, children aged 7–14 will find answers to these and many other questions: they can participate in workshops and crafting activities and visit the live animal corner. Advance registration is required. Read more (in Estonian).
  • On 18 April, a public interest day “Birdlife in spring” takes place. By late April, many migratory birds have arrived and started nesting. These topics will be explored during the event, which also includes a bird-themed crafting workshop and a geology workshop. In the pet workshops starting at 11:30 and 13:30, participants can meet the animals living in the museum’s live corner, including a green iguana, turtles, a snake, a tarantula, stick insects, fish and more. Participation is included with a museum ticket. Read more (in Estonian).
  • It is now also possible to play the museum bingo. Visitors of all ages may pick up a bingo sheet at the museum ticket desk and use it to explore the exhibits. An easier (4×4) and a more challenging (5×5) version are available. The bingo game guides visitors to different animals, plants, time periods and many other wonders of nature.

Take part in the university’s Spring Run on 15 April at 19:00

The five-kilometre course starts next to the UT Sports Hall and runs along the river Emajõgi to the Town Hall Square and back. Participants can cover the distance at their own pace by running or walking.

Register for the Spring Run

Pildil inimesed jooksmas finišisse.
Author: Tarmo Haud