Tallinn becomes one of Northern Europe’s most atmospheric cities during the Christmas season. The medieval streets of the Old Town are decorated with lights, cafés start serving hot Christmas drinks, and several festive markets appear around the city.
The famous Tallinn Christmas Market in Town Hall Square is naturally the main attraction, but it is not the only Christmas market worth visiting. In 2026, visitors can also explore the Christmas market at Balti Jaam Market and experience traditional Estonian Christmas celebrations at the Estonian Open Air Museum.
Three noteworthy Christmas markets in Tallinn have been announced for the 2026 festive season. I expect more markets to be announced and I will update this post accordingly.
Tallinn Christmas Market at Town Hall Square
Dates: 20 November 2026 – 6 January 2027
Location: Raekoja plats, Tallinn Old Town
The Tallinn Christmas Market on Town Hall Square is the centrepiece of Christmas in the Estonian capital.
Set among the colourful medieval buildings of Tallinn Old Town, the market surrounds a large Christmas tree in front of the Gothic Town Hall. Tallinn’s Christmas-tree tradition on the square is said to date back to 1441, making it one of the oldest public Christmas-tree traditions in Europe.
Wooden stalls around the square sell Estonian handicrafts, souvenirs and traditional seasonal food. Typical things to try include verivorst (Estonian blood sausage), sauerkraut, gingerbread and hot Christmas drinks – glögg and non-alcoholic variants.
Families travelling with children will find carousels and Christmas activities, while a programme of music and performances usually takes place throughout the festive season.
One particularly useful change for visitors in 2026 is that the market will remain open well beyond Christmas. The confirmed dates are 20 November 2026 until 6 January 2027, so travellers visiting Tallinn for New Year’s Eve or during the first week of January will still have a chance to see it.
If you are visiting Tallinn for the first time, this is the Christmas market you should not miss.
Local tip: visit on a weekday if you can
If your schedule is flexible, try to visit Tallinn’s Christmas markets on a weekday rather than at the weekend. The Town Hall Square market in particular can get very crowded on Saturdays and Sundays, especially from late afternoon onwards.
Christmas Village at the Estonian Open Air Museum
Dates: 12–13 December 2026
Location: Estonian Open Air Museum, Vabaõhumuuseumi tee 12
For something completely different, visit the Christmas Village at the Estonian Open Air Museum.
Rather than a conventional city Christmas market, this is an opportunity to experience how Christmas was celebrated in Estonia during different historical periods.
The museum’s historic farmhouses and village buildings create an especially atmospheric setting in winter. During the Christmas Village weekend, the area around the inn hosts a Christmas fair where visitors can buy gifts. There will also be a decorated Christmas tree, a traditional wooden carousel, Christmas decoration workshops and choir performances at Sutlepa Chapel. Santa Claus will also be walking around the village.
The 2026 Christmas Village takes place on Saturday 12 December and Sunday 13 December.
Current event ticket prices are €14 for adults, €10 for discounted tickets and €30 for a family ticket. Entry is free with a valid Tallinn Card, Museum Card or Estonian Open Air Museum annual pass.
This is probably the best of the three Christmas events for families who want more than shopping. Allow several hours to explore the museum rather than treating it as a quick market visit.
Balti Jaam Market Christmas Market
Dates: 20 November 2026 – 6 January 2027
Location: Balti Jaama Turg, Kopli 1
For a more local alternative to the Old Town Christmas Market, head to Balti Jaama Turg, next to Tallinn’s main railway station and between the Old Town, Kalamaja and Telliskivi.
The Balti Jaam Market Christmas Market, also known as the Balta Christmas Market, is scheduled to run from 20 November 2026 until 6 January 2027. Its main festive area is on the Kopli side of Balti Jaam Market.
The atmosphere here is quite different from Town Hall Square. Instead of being primarily a tourist attraction, Balti Jaam is a working city market used by Tallinn residents throughout the year.
During the Christmas season, visitors can browse Christmas trees, handicrafts and gift ideas while also exploring Balti Jaam’s permanent food market and street-food stalls. The market describes its Christmas offering as a mixture of seasonal gifts, fresh food, street food and festive activities.
It is also an excellent stop if you plan to explore Telliskivi Creative City or Kalamaja. Balti Jaam sits directly between these neighbourhoods and the Old Town, which makes it easy to combine with the main Tallinn Christmas Market on the same day.
From Town Hall Square, Balti Jaam Market is only a short walk through the Old Town.
