Tallinn Christmas Market – A Fairytale Christmas in the Heart of the Old Town
We love the annual Tallinn Christmas Market, widely recognised as one of Europe’s most beautiful and atmospheric Christmas markets.
The enchanting Tallinn Christmas Market is one of Northern Europe’s most atmospheric festive markets. It typically opens in late November and runs through to late December, with selected stalls and events often continuing into early January, depending on the year.
Set in Raekoja plats (Town Hall Square), in the heart of Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, the market is centred around a towering Christmas tree – a tradition Tallinn proudly traces back to 1441, making it one of the earliest documented public Christmas trees in Europe.
Surrounding the square, wooden merchant stalls showcase a carefully curated selection of locally made Estonian crafts and gifts. Visitors can browse felted wool hats and slippers, cosy knitwear, hand-carved wooden bowls, wickerwork, ceramics, glassware, seasonal wreaths and Nordic-style Christmas decorations – many created by skilled local artisans.
Food plays a major role in the market experience. Stalls serve traditional Estonian winter specialities, including black pudding (verivorst), sauerkraut, roasted almonds, gingerbread and festive sweets. To warm up, visitors can enjoy hot mulled wine (glögi), often available with or without alcohol, alongside hot berry juices and spiced teas. While not all produce is strictly organic, there is a strong emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes.
Throughout the market period, a lively programme of events brings the square to life. Locals and visitors alike enjoy festive competitions, such as best-decorated gingerbread creations and Christmas displays, adding a distinctly community-driven feel to the celebrations.
Families are especially well catered for. Old-fashioned merry-go-rounds delight younger visitors, and the market is often home to a small reindeer enclosure, depending on the year. Santa Claus arrives around the first Advent and can usually be found in his cosy wooden house, welcoming children in the afternoons and early evenings.
Music is an integral part of Tallinn’s Christmas season. Live performances take place at the market itself, while a broader programme of concerts and seasonal music fills the city’s historic churches and concert halls. Events often include classical performances, choral music and jazz, contributing to the city’s calm, elegant festive atmosphere.
For travellers seeking a winter city break with history, culture and understated Nordic charm, Tallinn in December is a standout choice.
Our Treasure of the Baltic States travel package can be timed to coincide with the December Christmas markets, allowing you to experience festive stalls alongside concerts, Old Town walks and atmospheric winter evenings.
Further reading:
- Travel articles on Nordic Christmas
- Travel articles on Estonia
- Our Estonia travel packages
- Our festive travel packages