Christmas market in Tallinn - a brilliant experience

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: August 2026 | The Christmas market in Tallinn is one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the Baltics. In the middle of the Town Hall Square in the Old Town, a Christmas tree, market stalls, mulled wine, crafts and lots of lights await. We have experienced Tallinn at Christmas time – and can confirm that the medieval city is perfectly suited to Christmas decorations.

Christmas market in Tallinn

Tallinn's Christmas Market is held on Town Hall Square, in the middle of the medieval Old Town. Here, small market stalls gather around the large Christmas tree and the square is filled with lights, Christmas decorations, scents and music.

Tallinn's Christmas Market was named Europe's best Christmas market in 2019 in a poll organized by European Best Destinations, and it has continued to be recognized as one of Europe's most atmospheric Christmas markets.

When we visited Tallinn, the Christmas market had just opened for the season. The Christmas tree was up, the stalls were open, and the square had carousels and lots of Christmas spirit.

Crafts and gifts

Tallinn's Christmas market is packed with stalls selling crafts and other gifts. For example, there are plenty of wooden crafts, woollen mittens, hats, Christmas decorations and various products by Estonian designers. We also saw some products made of alpaca wool.

Delicacies

If you want to buy edible gifts (for yourself or others), there are plenty of sausages, hams, tinned food, jams and honey.

You'll also find gingerbread with Christmas icing, as well as luxury cakes, buns, sweets, truffles and chocolate pralines.

Food and drink

Getting hungry while walking around the Christmas market in Tallinn? Then there are plenty of options to fill your stomach. A popular choice seems to be a variety of grilled sausages or chops served with potatoes and sauerkraut. There are also soups, pies, vegan options and more sophisticated dishes for gourmets.

Mulled wine is served at every stall and, to be on the safe side, it is presented in many languages. It says 'glögg' in several places, but also hõõgvein (glögg in Estonian) and glögi (glögg in Finnish). You can also find mulled wine flavoured with cranberries or cherries. Or why not try hot chocolate flavoured with Bailey's?

Vana Tallinn is a rum-based Estonian herbal liqueur, which appears here and there on the market in different flavours. Vana Tallinn Glögi is a mulled wine available both with and without alcohol. Of course we tried it, and it was really good. Perfect to warm up with in the cold!

Sustainability at the Christmas market

When we visited the market, a deposit system was in place for cups and other containers. You paid a deposit when you bought them and got your money back when you returned the cup to a collection point. A convenient way to reduce the amount of disposable waste at the market.

For children at the Christmas market in Tallinn

There is, of course, a lot for children at the Christmas market in Tallinn. The most obvious is the fantastic carousels. Plus, Santa Claus comes to visit from the first Sunday of Advent.

Entertainment on stage

There is a stage at the Christmas market and at weekends there are performances of dance, music, choral singing and more. When we were here, there was Estonian folk dancing, which caught our attention for quite a while despite the cold.

Visiting the Christmas market in Tallinn

So, what is it like to visit the Christmas market in Tallinn? Very nice, as long as you're dressed warmly. The market is located in the centre of the Old Town, so it's perfect to combine a visit to the Christmas market with other experiences during a weekend in Tallinn.

More to see and do in Tallinn

Of course, there is much more to see and experience in Tallinn. Here you will find more tips and reports:

• Things to do in Tallinn
• Spas in Tallinn
• Restaurants in Tallinn
• Beer and wine in Tallinn

Have you visited the Tallinn Christmas market?

Have you visited the Christmas market in Tallinn? Or maybe you're keen to go there? Feel free to write a comment, or ask a question, in the comments section!