Exploring Tallinn’s Christmas Market: Highlights and Impressions
First Impressions of Tallinn’s Christmas Market
After my delightful experiences at the Riga Christmas Market, I was excited to visit Tallinn’s Christmas Market in Estonia. I was on my way to Finland for the holidays anyway, and decided to make my stop in Tallinn overnight. Having been to the Christmas Market in Riga about six times this year, I’ve grown to love how the entire Old Town transforms into a magical winter wonderland, with every street and corner lit up in festive glory.
Estonia’s capital Tallinn is home to the first Christmas tree ever erected in Europe (although Riga would like to politely disagree), making the city’s Christmas Market a site with deep historical roots. This rich tradition adds a sense of nostalgia and festivity that I was really looking forward to experiencing.
And as Tallinn’s Christmas Market had been voted to the Top 10 Best Christmas Markets in Europe in 2018, my expectations were high. So, I was eager to see if it could live up to the same festive magic I had experienced in Riga.
Unfortunately, what I found fell short of those high hopes.
What to Expect at the Market
At first glance, the atmosphere seemed promising: the stalls gathered around a giant Christmas tree in Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square), a stage for events, and even a few rides for children. The atmosphere was lively, with clearly both locals and tourists browsing the offerings.
This year the market runs from November 22nd to December 27th in 2024, a shorter run than in previous years. This shift seems to be in response to changes in the tourism landscape, with a move away from Russian tourists toward Scandinavian visitors, who prefer to travel earlier on before Christmas.
One thing to keep in mind when visiting the Tallinn Christmas Market is that while many stalls accept cards, it’s always a good idea to bring cash with you. Some smaller vendors may only accept cash, and it can save you time waiting in line for card transactions. Having a few euros on hand will make your experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Tasting Tallinn: Food and Drink at the Market
Having read some blog posts about the market, I was so excited to dive into the local food—blood sausages, different meats, glögi (the spiced mulled wine unique to this region), and more. I’d imagined rows of stalls offering a variety of options to sample, so it was a bit of a letdown to realize that one company seemed to dominate the food scene. They had the same dishes at three different stalls.
I had been really looking forward to trying verivorst (blood sausage), but at 13-18 € for a plate of sausage and potatoes, it was just a little too much for my budget. I couldn’t justify it, even though I wanted to.
Luckily, I stumbled across a dumpling (pelmeni) stall tucked to the side, and let me tell you: those dumplings were the highlight of my food experience in Tallinn! Crispy, fried to perfection, and absolutely delicious. At 8 €, it wasn’t exactly cheap, but at least I felt like I got my money’s worth. I’m genuinely glad I gave them a try because they were easily the best dumplings I’ve had in the Baltics!
For those with a sweet tooth, I did see stalls selling waffles and many different gingerbread (although I feel like here they are too pretty to eat, too!). Or if you’re craving something different, they also had bao buns, which looked tempting.
Now, let’s talk about drinks.
In my guide to the Christmas Market in Riga, I go on and on about how many different, creative drinks there were to try. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case here. There’s no denying you can find glögi at every turn—but that’s about it. It honestly felt like glögi was the fallback for any empty vendor spot. There were easily 15 or more stalls selling the same thing, with the same prices and the same price lists, with very little variety.
I did try a traditional glögi, and it was good—warm, spiced, and comforting, much like what we have in Finland. But if you’re looking for a non-alcoholic version, here’s a little tip: you can get the exact same glögi at Rimi (a local grocery store) just a short walk from the market, and it’ll cost you less than 2 €. This tip might not apply early on in December, but they had this on offer just before Christmas.
Handcrafted Items and Local Artisans
Browsing all the handcrafted, creative things at Christmas markets is always one of my favorite parts. As someone who enjoys knitting and learning new crafts, I love seeing what the local artisans have to offer. It’s such a good window into the culture, showing what people take pride in. In Riga, this was very clear: amber jewelry, hand-knit mittens, intricate wooden products. Each stall told its own little story.
In Tallinn, I’ll admit it was harder to get that same sense. There were definitely some fun and creative stalls, but there were also a lot of vendors selling items that seemed imported. For me, the magic of Christmas markets is tied to the authenticity of the experience: local craftsmanship, tradition, and personality shining through. So, while some stalls were charming, others felt like they were missing that spark.
That said, there were some lovely handcrafted pieces to discover. I saw beautiful candles, pottery, cozy knitted items, felted creations, jewelry, and of course, gingerbread.
One of my absolute favorite finds was something called “Naps shots.” It’s such a clever idea: little baubles filled with alcohol! And I have to hand it to the Estonians for the pun: “naps” is the word for a shot in Estonian.
I really wanted to bring a few Naps shots home with me, but unfortunately, I wasn’t willing to risk the combination of delicate baubles and a long bus ride across Finland.
Room for Improvement: What Could Make the Tallinn Christmas Market Better?
I learned from this local news article that the Tallinn Christmas Market has been organised by the same company since 2022, with plans to continue through 2025. I couldn’t help but compare it to markets in Riga and Helsinki and notice a few things I felt were missing.
For example, I don’t remember seeing any open fires in Tallinn, whereas in Riga, they were everywhere—adding such a warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere. It’s a little touch, but it makes a big difference, especially when you’re strolling around in the cold.
I also found myself wishing for more variety, particularly when it came to food and drink. Traditional Estonian cuisine is unique, and it would have been wonderful to see more of it reflected in the stalls. A wider selection of drinks beyond glögi would have brought a richer taste of local culture to the experience.
And while there were some handcrafted items, I think the market could really shine with a stronger focus on local artisans.
I visited the Helsinki Christmas Market the very next day, and I was truly impressed by the selection of handcrafted items there. The contrast made me realize how much more the Tallinn market could highlight the work of local creators. It would give visitors something truly special to take home—a piece of Estonia they can’t find anywhere else.
Bright Spots: What’s Worth Seeing at the Market
The Christmas tree in the Old Town Square was stunning and hard to miss. It’s a focal point of the market and one of its strongest features. I also liked the fact that this is apparently the spot of the original Christmas tree from 1441 – while in Riga, the original Christmas tree location isn’t at the market itself.
One of the true bright spots of the market is the chance to visit Santa Claus. The queue isn’t very long, so if you’re hoping to meet him in person or take the kids for a photo, it’s definitely worth a stop. (As an older solo traveller, I didn’t feel like queueing up for him, so I can’t speak to the experience though). 🧑🎄
While the market didn’t quite meet my expectations overall, moments like enjoying a cup of glögi while admiring the tree reminded me why I love visiting Christmas markets. Even in a less-than-perfect experience, there are still small joys to be found.
Closing Thoughts: Is Tallinn Christmas Market Worth It?
On the bus ride from Riga to Tallinn, I was already drafting comparisons in my head. Imagining the unique food, drink, and crafts I would discover. After all, Tallinn has a reputation for its beautiful Old Town, so I expected the market to live up to the same charm.
And to be fair, there were moments that did feel magical.
As I publish this post, there’s less than a week left of Tallinn’s Christmas Market. While it’s clear the market has room for improvement, I’m hopeful that, based on the feedback from visitors and the city’s ongoing efforts, next year’s market could offer a more refined experience. Here’s to hoping that Tallinn continues to build on its strengths and makes the changes needed to enhance the holiday magic for future visitors.
Christmas markets are about more than just shopping—they’re about the festive spirit, community, and creating memories. If you find yourself in Tallinn before the season ends, the beautiful tree and cozy glögi alone make the market worth a visit. There’s also the Piparkoogimaania (Gingerbread Mania – I love the name!) gingerbread exhibition at a nearby gallery, which is definitely worth checking out.
However, if you’re seeking a wider variety of experiences, you might also want to explore other Christmas markets in the region. For more diverse offerings you can hop on the ferry to Helsinki, or take the bus to Riga, for example.
Either way, Tallinn’s market still has something to offer and holds plenty of potential for future holiday celebrations.