Although Tallinn’s first Christmas tree was erected in 1441, Tallinn Christmas Market is a modern festival that has taken place since 1997. It is held in the centre of Tallinn’s Medieval old town at the Town Hall Square, known as Raekoja plats in Estonian. It’s a beautiful, historic square that is surrounded by narrow cobblestone streets filled with wonderful small cafes, restaurants, bars and boutique stores.
Tallinn Christmas Market 2021
Town Hall Square is the historical focal point for locals and visitors alike. The decorated Christmas market stalls line the Town Hall Square and this is where you can find Christmas snacks, hot drinks, gifts, decorations and traditional Estonian souvenirs.
Tallinn Christmas Market dates: 26th November to 2nd January 2022.
Opening times: 12 noon to 7pm.
Location: Town Hall Square – Raekoja plats in Estonian.
Reason to visit: Tallinn is one of the oldest cities in Northern Europe and it’s Medieval centre has been wonerfully restored.
Specialities: Blood pudding, gingerbread cookies, mulled wine, hand knitted socks, wooden toys and decorations.
Travel tips: Be sure to visit Kadriorg Palace, Patarei Prison and the Occupation Museum while in Tallinn. Take the ferry on a day trip to Helsinki if you have time.
Hotels near Tallinn Christmas Market: I was very fortunate to stay at Hotel Telegraaf when I last visited Tallinn and it’s a stunning, historic hotel around a 2-minute walk to the Christmas markets in Tallinn.
Hotels near Tallinn Christmas Market
Tallinn is the most popular destination in the Baltic States so not surprisingly, there are many hotels to choose from. Our guide to hotels near Tallinn Christmas Market lists our experience of the best places to stay for all budgets. We even mention one of the quirkiest hotels in the region where the rooms have been built using repurposed shipping containers.
Ice Skating in Tallinn
From late November, an outdoor ice rink opens on Harju Street, Tallinn, known locally as Ice Rink Uisupark. It is located next to St Nicholas’ Church and you can hire skates or take your own. The full price is €7 per hour. You can get a 50% discount with the Tallinn Card. This event isn’t part of the Christmas markets in Tallinn but it’s a fun, family-oriented event that is very affordable.
Things to Do in Tallinn in Winter
If this is your first time in Tallinn, we recommend taking this Old Town Walking Tour that only takes 1.5 hours but will give you an excellent overview of the city, it’s history, architecture and Estonian culture.
You might also consider taking this popular Estonian Food Tour where you can try 3 or 4 Estonian dishes and 3 traditional drinks. It’s a 3-hour tour where you can experience a number of local specialties like green chocolate and berry chips. This is a great tour to take if the weather isn’t great.
While the Christmas market in Tallinn is the largest and most popular, there are many other Christmas markets in Estonia and you’ll find them in many cities and small towns.
Map of Town Hall Square
If you have any questions or comments about visiting the Tallinn Xmas market in 2021 or visiting Tallinn in winter more generally, please leave a comment below. We are experienced travellers who are happy to help where we can.
If you have visited Tallinn Christmas Market in the Town Hall Square and would like to leave a review, this would help people who are thinking about visiting or making plans for an upcoming trip. The more specific your review the more helpful it is, thanks!
Please be sure to follow all government travel guidelines and restrictions while in Tallinn and elsewhere in Estonia. Be aware these may change at short notice so please continue to monitor the situation. The latest information for travellers is published by Visit Estonia, the official office of tourism.
This post contains affiliate links to tours and hotels in Tallinn, Estonia. This means we get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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