On 20 November, Town Hall Square in the heart of the medieval Old Town will once again become a little piece of a Christmas fairytale: for the 26th time, Tallinn Christmas Market will symbolically open its gates around the world’s first public Christmas tree.

Over twenty-six years, Tallinn Christmas Market has become a beloved meeting place for families, relatives and friends. There is always something warmly familiar waiting here, while every year also brings something new.

Around the capital’s most magnificent Christmas tree, glowing market huts gather to offer, as always, authentic flavours and heartfelt gifts. This year, special emphasis is placed on the work of local artists and craftspeople. The selection includes wonderful products ranging from unusually shaped candles and more contemporary Christmas decorations to warm socks made from dog and alpaca wool, not to mention the sweaters and hats that have become classics, as well as Estonian design.

The Sweet House offers flavours worth returning to the Christmas Market for every year: freshly baked cinnamon and cardamom buns, artfully decorated gingerbread and other Christmas treats. There are plenty of sweets in the other huts too, with treats large and small on offer: lollipops, pancakes, handmade truffles and, of course, a wide variety of handcrafted gingerbread.

Tallinn Christmas Market offers visitors the widest selection of glögg in Europe. Dozens of varieties are available to try – including the popular cranberry-cherry glögg, a special Setomaa raspberry-blackcurrant glögg, or even pumpkin glögg. Glögg is served both with and without alcohol. There is also spiced wine prepared according to a medieval recipe.

The familiar scent of Christmas drifts across Town Hall Square. Traditional Christmas dishes are prepared on site: sauerkraut, sizzling blood sausages and succulent Christmas roasts. Gourmets can enjoy elk sausages, lamb chops, duck confit and slow-cooked pork belly. All dishes can be enjoyed on site or purchased to take away.

The environmentally friendly approach continues at the heart of the Christmas Market this year as well. The market’s special reusable tableware is once again in use. The deposit is two euros, and the full amount is refunded when the tableware is returned to the collection point.

The Christmas Market opens on 20 November

Tallinn Christmas Market opens on 20 November at 18:00. The opening remarks will be delivered by Nikita Groznov, Head of Tallinn City Centre District, after which the Christmas lights will be switched on at the city’s most important Christmas tree.

On the first Sunday of Advent, 29 November, the Mayor of Tallinn and the Dean of Tallinn Cathedral will ceremonially proclaim the beginning of Advent. Together they will light the Advent candle, accompanied by solemn Christmas songs.

On the same day, Santa Claus will open the door to his cosy little house and welcome children every day from 12:00 to 18:00. Children who know their Christmas verses well will receive a sweet treat from Santa! The classic carousels, already loved by everyone, will also be set up at the Christmas Market for the youngest members of the family.

This year, the stage at Tallinn Christmas Market will once again be filled with a colourful cultural programme. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, a number of popular music groups, folk dance troupes and performers will take the stage. The programme and ongoing events will be hosted by the familiar Santas Äffy and Arlet. More detailed programme information will be published soon.

The Christmas fairytale continues until Epiphany

This year, Tallinn Christmas Market will remain open until the evening of 6 January 2027. The Christmas fairytale will continue throughout the festive season and New Year celebrations, carrying on into the first days of the new year in Town Hall Square and the Christmas-decorated Old Town.

On 31 December, you can welcome the New Year at Tallinn Christmas Market.

Bring your friends and family and come experience a little piece of a Christmas fairytale in the heart of Tallinn!