Town Hall Square Christmas Market

The Tallinn Christmas Market takes over Raekoja plats, the Town Hall Square, in the heart of Tallinn's medieval Old Town in Harju County, Estonia, from late November until early January. It is among the best-known Christmas markets in northern Europe, and the large lit Christmas tree at its centre is a long-standing local tradition. Wooden stalls sell seasonal goods that differ from year-round shopping: hand-knitted mittens, socks and hats, felted items, wooden toys, candles, ceramics, honey and beeswax products, gingerbread, and Estonian sweets such as marzipan and chocolate. Many stallholders are small Estonian makers and craftspeople, so the share of authentic local goods is good, although a few stalls sell imported decorations. Prices usually range from about EUR 3 for small treats to EUR 60 for larger knitwear or crafts. Bargaining is not customary, and prices are fixed; most stalls accept cards, but cash is useful for small snacks and busy periods. Non-EU residents should not expect formal tax-free service at market stalls. The atmosphere is festive and crowded, particularly on weekends and evenings in December, with live music, choirs and performances on the square, and the surrounding gabled merchants' houses and the Town Hall add to the scene. Food and drink are a major draw on site: mulled wine, often called glögi, hot drinks, roasted almonds, sausages, black pudding with lingonberry jam, sauerkraut with sausages and gingerbread are all typical. The most useful corners include the craft rows near the Town Hall, where textiles and handmade ornaments are concentrated, and the food stalls on the square's sides. Because the market is in the busiest historic square, visitors can combine shopping with a walk through the narrow Old Town streets and nearby cafes. Dress warmly, as temperatures in Tallinn in December are often below freezing and the cobbles can be icy.