Tallinn Christmas Market

What to expect at the 2026/2027 market

From 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, Tallinn Christmas Market returns to Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) in the Estonian capital’s medieval Old Town. The organiser lists daily market hours from 10:00 to 20:00. Hot drinks are served until 22:00, and until 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays. The market stays open through Christmas and New Year.

Handmade candles and woollen goods at a wooden Christmas market stall · 1 / 3

The organiser’s 2026 notes give particular attention to local artists and craftspeople. Market huts will sell Estonian design, candles, Christmas decorations, warm socks made from dog and alpaca wool, sweaters and hats. The Estonian-language version of the organiser’s page also lists cinnamon and cardamom buns, decorated gingerbread and other seasonal sweets. Check the official market page (opens in a new tab) for any changes to the selection and hours before you go.

Reusable tableware is part of the organiser’s environmental approach this year. A €2 deposit is charged and refunded when you return the tableware to a collection point. Keep this in mind if you plan to eat or drink at a stall, and return the item before leaving the square.

Opening night and the Advent programme

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 18:00 on Friday 20 November. The organiser says the Head of Tallinn City Centre District will give opening remarks before the lights are switched on at the city’s Christmas tree. The market is then open daily through 6 January 2027.

Sunday 29 November, the first Sunday of Advent, has a separate ceremony. The Mayor of Tallinn and the Dean of Tallinn Cathedral are due to proclaim the start of Advent and light the Advent candle. Santa Claus’s house opens that day, and Santa is listed at the market daily from 12:00 to 18:00. The organiser also plans carousels for children.

Music groups, folk dance troupes and other performers are scheduled on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The detailed programme is still to come, so check the organiser’s page when choosing a date if you want to see a particular performance. The page also says visitors can welcome the New Year at the market on 31 December.

A 1441 record from Town Hall Square

The market’s Christmas tree has a specific place in Tallinn’s local history. Visit Tallinn reports that historian Jüri Kuuskemaa found a city archive document from 1441. It records a payment by the city council for musicians who played by a tree on Town Hall Square on 25 December. The city’s account of the tree (opens in a new tab) links the archival record to the square’s present-day Christmas tradition.

Choosing a time to visit

The posted hours give you a daytime option for browsing and a later window for hot drinks. On Friday and Saturday, drinks continue until 23:00; on other days, they are listed until 22:00. The stage programme is scheduled for the weekend, while the market itself is open every day in the published date range.

For a family visit, Santa’s stated hours are 12:00 to 18:00 each day, with the carousels also planned for children. If you want to attend the Advent ceremony, set aside time on 29 November. Exact performance times and the full calendar have not yet been published, so use the official page for the latest schedule rather than planning around an unannounced act.

Getting to Town Hall Square

Tallinn Airport is about four kilometres from the city centre. Its public transport guide (opens in a new tab) lists tram T2 between the airport, Old City Harbour and Kopli, and tram T4 between the airport and Tondi. The airport currently lists a €2 QR ticket valid for one hour for a single trip; contactless bank cards can also be used on buses and trams. Fares may change before winter, so check them again before travelling. Use the city’s official journey planner (opens in a new tab) to check the current route and the final walk to Raekoja plats.

If you arrive by ferry, Port of Tallinn lists the Vanasadam tram stop in front of Terminal A on route T2. The same stop is 470 metres from Terminal D. The port’s transport page (opens in a new tab) has terminal-specific stops and ticket information. Ferry timetables and city transport schedules can change, so check them again near your travel date.

Where to stay and what to bring

Staying in the Old Town or central Tallinn makes it easier to return to the square in the evening and explore other parts of the city on foot or by public transport. Compare the location, cancellation terms and route to your accommodation before booking; you can browse places to stay in Tallinn (opens in a new tab).

The market is outdoors, so check the forecast close to departure and bring warm layers and comfortable shoes. If you plan to stay into the evening, remember that the market closes at 20:00 even though hot drinks are served later. Confirm the latest schedule and transport details before setting out, especially around Christmas and New Year.