Narva – the Autumn Capital
Narva – Estonia’s Autumn Capital 2026
As is tradition, Narva once again holds the title of Estonia’s Autumn Capital this year and will offer a varied programme to the city’s residents and visitors over the course of three months. This programme brings together music, theatre, art, history, sport, folk culture, family-friendly events and creative gatherings.
The first major events will take place even before the start of astronomical autumn. The programme will be launched by the well-attended ASTRI KESKUS Narva Autumn Run and a concert by the Narva City Symphony Orchestra entitled ‘Made in Narva’.
On 19 September, the autumn season kicks off with the ASTRI KESKUS Narva Autumn Run 2026, one of September’s biggest mass participation sporting events. The programme includes the Ville Viking Children’s Run and races over distances of 2.5, 5 and 10 kilometres. The children’s races start at 12 noon and the main races begin at 1 pm. The start and finish lines are located at the Astri Centre.
The official opening ceremony of the ‘Narva – Estonia’s Autumn Capital 2026’ programme will take place on 20 September. At 4 pm, the Narva City Symphony Orchestra will present the concert programme ‘Made in Narva’ at the Rugodiv Cultural Centre, which is entirely dedicated to the creative work of the people of Narva.
The concert will feature performances by Vladimir Cherdakov, Kirill Adõlin, Mikhail Nikitin, Anna Skasõrskaja and Beatrice Huber. Vladimir Cherdakov will perform songs by himself and other composers, arranged for orchestra by Anatoly Shchura. The original works of Kirill Adõlin, Mihhail Nikitin and Anna Skasõrskaja will be performed for the first time accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Beatrice Huber will perform both solo pieces and duets.
The Autumn Run and the concert are the centrepieces of the opening programme, but they are not the only events. On 19 and 20 September, other surprises await the town’s residents and visitors; further details will be announced shortly.
From symphonic classics to rock and jazz
Music is one of the recurring themes in the Autumn Capital programme. The programme features symphony and chamber concerts, rock, jazz, dance performances and world-famous hits.
On 22 September, the Rugodiv Cultural Centre will host a performance of Ludovico Einaudi’s music by the ensemble Tynda Music. On 1 October, International Music Day, flautist Kristjan Lume and oboist Anastassia Tšernjak will perform alongside the Narva City Symphony Orchestra.
The classical music programme continues with the ‘Mozart 270’ concert, featuring Stanislav Šelahovski and Valeria Erhardt, the chamber programme ‘Arvo Pärt – Sacred Minimalism’, and a concert dedicated to the music of Georgi Sviridov, based on Alexander Pushkin’s short story ‘The Snowstorm’. In December, the 8th Viru County Music Festival will take place in Narva.
The international iDeeJazz Narva festival will once again form part of the autumn cultural season, continuing its long-standing tradition of bringing musicians to Narva from both Estonia and abroad.
On 24 October, the Rugodiv Cultural Centre will host the first-ever Narva Rock Fest 2026. This new festival offers young rock bands and artists the opportunity to perform their own material, gain stage experience and connect with the audience.
The international part of the season is complemented by the programme at the Geneva Concert Hall. On 29 October, the Italian Bee Gees – brothers Walter, Davide and Pasquale Egiziano – will take to the stage there. Special guests at the show ‘The Legend of the Bee Gees’ include Blue Weaver, the Bee Gees’ keyboardist who played on the recording of the album *Saturday Night Fever*, and Vince Melouney, a guitarist from the band’s earlier line-up. The set list will include ‘Stayin’ Alive’, ‘Night Fever’, ‘How Deep Is Your Love’ and other well-known hits.
On 13 November, the Spanish group Los Vivancos will perform in Narva. The seven brothers combine flamenco, classical ballet, acrobatics, contemporary dance and live music in a single show.
Three more international concerts will take place in Geneva in December. On 8 December, the Strauss Magic Vienna Orchestra will perform; on 9 December, the Italian trio APPASSIONANTE, whose work blends operatic tradition, Neapolitan songs and contemporary pop-crossover; and on 13 December, the British rock band Spirit of Smokie will perform their programme ‘The Legend Lives On’.
Theatre and evening journeys into Narva’s history
The Autumn Capital’s theatre programme brings together comedies, dramas, contemporary productions and guest performances. One of the season’s highlights will be Südalinna Theatre’s production of ‘Don Quixote’. There are separate productions planned for younger audiences, including the play ‘Visiting the Pokus’, based on the books by Edgar Valter.
The Narva Museum’s evening events add an air of mystery to the autumn programme. On 17 October and 28 November, after dark, visitors can embark on a torchlight tour through the halls, staircases and narrow passageways of Narva Castle, discover secret passages and listen to stories about the castle’s former inhabitants.
On 3 October and 14 November, the Narva Museum Art Gallery will present the night-time programme ‘The Lost City’. By the model of Old Narva, participants can explore, in the dim light, the city’s pre-war neighbourhoods and streets, houses, places of worship and the stories of the people associated with them.
On 24 October, the ‘Legends of Old Narva’ programme will take place at Narva Castle. Guests will hear tales of love, friendship and tsarist treachery, try on parts of medieval costumes and examine knightly weapons.
A programme for the whole family
On 18 October, the Narva City Symphony Orchestra will perform Sergei Prokofiev’s musical fairy tale ‘Peter and the Wolf’ at the Rugodiv Cultural Centre. The narration will be read by actor Eduard Toman.
The Kuldne Pääsuke Vocal Studio, in collaboration with the ABC Theatre and the Narva Dance Ensemble, will present the musical ‘The Bremen Town Musicians’ to Narva schoolchildren.
On 31 October, the Art Gallery invites children and adults to a family day entitled ‘Pumpkin Secrets’, dedicated to the colours of autumn, mysterious stories and creativity. On 8 November, Father’s Day will be celebrated at Narva Castle. The programme includes legends of knights, the chance to see authentic suits of armour, archery and a family workshop.
On 28 November, the Rugodiv Cultural Centre will host a calligraphy workshop for children and adults entitled ‘Christmas Card’.
Narva’s cultural diversity
From 19 to 25 October, the House of Nations Week will take place, bringing together concerts, creative events, open days and programmes organised by ethnic cultural societies. This theme is complemented by a ‘Tribal Day’, which showcases the traditions, music, culinary culture and handicrafts of the Finno-Ugric peoples.
The full programme for the ‘Autumn Capital’ is considerably broader than individual major events. Over the course of three months, Narva will host exhibitions, dance festivals, youth concerts, workshops, literary evenings and creative gatherings. Towards the end of autumn, the city’s programme will be enriched by events dedicated to Advent and the approaching Christmas season.
This autumn, Narva will resound in many ways – with symphonic music, rock, jazz, voices from the theatre stage and the stories of the old fortress. The programme for Estonia’s Autumn Capital 2026 brings together different generations, languages, cultures and genres.
Information: Culture Department of Narva City Council, kultuur@narva.ee
