25 years of a Christmas story in the heart of Tallinn!

On 21 November, Town Hall Square in the heart of Tallinn’s medieval Old Town will once again be transformed into a small piece of a Christmas fairy tale: the traditional Tallinn Christmas Market will open its “imaginary gates” for the 25th time. Over the past quarter-century, the Tallinn Christmas Market has become a cherished meeting place for families, relatives and friends – always offering something warmly familiar and, each year, something new. This time, the centuries-old Town Hall proudly presents its new façade lighting, created in collaboration with international lighting design experts.

This year’s magnificent 14-metre Christmas tree has arrived from Kohila. The cosy, light-filled stalls surrounding it offer, as always, authentic flavours and heartfelt gifts. This year places a special emphasis on the creations of local designers and artisans. The selection includes delightful items ranging from uniquely shaped candles and contemporary Christmas ornaments to warm dog- and alpaca-wool socks, not to mention the classic sweaters and hats. For the first time, the Kanela Design and Gifts kiosk is open, featuring products from various other artists as well (Ööhelk, SEIK, Hilpharakas and others).

The Sweet House offers flavours that bring visitors back to the Christmas Market year after year: freshly baked cinnamon and cardamom buns, artistically decorated gingerbread, and other festive treats. There are sweet delights in other stalls too, with a selection of treats big and small – lollipops and cottage-cheese balls, pancakes and handmade truffles, and of course plenty of artisanal gingerbread.

For the first time, gingerbread cookies can be “brought to life”. Find the special gingerbreads whose images come alive!

The Tallinn Christmas Market offers the richest selection of mulled wine in all of Europe! Here you can taste dozens of different varieties – for example, the popular cranberry–cherry mulled wine, the unique Setomaa raspberry–blackcurrant version, or even pumpkin mulled wine. All mulled wines are available both with and without alcohol. In addition, this year visitors can taste Hippocras – a spiced wine made according to a medieval recipe – for the very first time.

A familiar Christmas aroma fills Town Hall Square. Traditional festive dishes are prepared on the spot: sauerkraut, sizzling blood sausages and succulent Christmas roasts. For gourmets, the market offers reindeer sausages, lamb cutlets, duck confit and slow-cooked pork belly. All dishes are available either for takeaway or for enjoying right there at the market.

Sustainability remains at the heart of the Christmas Market. Once again, the market uses its special reusable dishes. The deposit is two euros, and when the dish is returned to a collection point, the full deposit will be refunded.

The Tallinn Christmas Market will open its “imaginary gates” on 21 November at 6 p.m. The opening words will be delivered by the Head of the Central District, Ahti Kallikorm, after which the Christmas lights on the city’s most important Christmas tree will be lit. The festive opening concert will feature the silver-voiced Kadri Voorand together with the Defence League’s jazz band. The dance ensemble Sõleke from the Kullo Hobby Centre will also perform. The evening will be hosted by Priit Volmer.

On the First Sunday of Advent, 30 November, the Advent season will be officially proclaimed by Tallinn’s Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski and Dean Arho Tuhkru. Together they will light the Advent candle, accompanied by solemn Christmas hymns performed by the joint choir of Tallinn’s churches and the Tallinn Chamber Choir.
On the same day, Santa Claus will open the doors of his cosy little house, welcoming children every day from 12:00 to 18:00. Those who know their Christmas poems well will receive a treat from Santa! For the youngest visitors, the market features three classic carousels that have already become beloved favourites.

The Christmas Market’s neighbour, Hopner House, will host a guided walk through fairy-tale courtyards with a storyteller every Advent Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance to take part.

For the first time, the adventure company 360 KRAADI will be present at the Christmas Market, offering adventurous city tours in the Old Town. More information is available at 360.ee.

This year as well, the stage at the Tallinn Christmas Market will be filled with a colourful cultural programme. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, numerous well-known groups and performers will take the stage, including the folk-dance ensembles Sõleke, Tuisuline and Kullaketrajad, as well as contemporary dance groups from ETA Dance School, JJ Street and TantsuGeen. Several long-time favourites of Christmas Market visitors are also expected – the children’s choir Ellerhein and Inger together with Free Flow dancers! As a special guest, the Household Division Specialist Contemporary Band from the United Kingdom will perform on 18 December. The programme and ongoing events will be hosted by the beloved Christmas characters Äffy and Arlet. Full programme details can be found in the Christmas Market schedule!

The Tallinn Christmas Market will remain open until the evening of 28 December, but the Christmas fairy tale does not end there: the Christmas tree will stay on Town Hall Square for several more weeks, and the story continues throughout the festively decorated Old Town! On 31 December, a cheerful New Year’s Eve concert will take place at Freedom Square, and winter fun can be enjoyed at the Harju Street ice rink until spring.

Bring your friends and relatives and come and experience a little bit of a Christmas fairy tale in the heart of Tallinn!

The Christmas Market is open every day from 10:00 to 20:00. Hot drinks are served until 22:00, and on Fridays and Saturdays until 23:00.