We know Estonia
3.12.2023 | Culture

Tartu’s Christmas City

Text Susanna Poikela
Photo Peeter Paaver

Tartu’s Christmas City

 

Today, December 3, which is the first day of Advent also marks the opening of Tartu’s beautiful Christmas City, which will be open until January 7. Under the twinkling of Christmas lights, you will be able to enjoy steaming hot mulled wine in the new glass pavilions, and take part in various festive activities for the whole family.

Ponies will be waiting for children in the town hall square almost every day of the week. A swing and merry-go-rounds have also been brought in to entertain the little guests, and of course there is a beautiful Christmas tree, which will get the whole family in the festive mood.

On weekends, it will be possible to go on sleigh rides in an old-fashioned sled. And that’s not all, there is also an ice skating rink in the town hall sqaure, which will be open until March 3.

On each Sunday until Christmas, the Advent candle will be lit, and on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, the town’s mayor will declare Christmas peace in the town. The Christmas City will be open until January 7.

You can learn more about the full programme of events at Tartu Christmas city (in Estonian) here.  

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Christmas Christmas Events Ice Rink Sleigh Ride Tartu Tartu Christmas City Tartu Town Hall Square

24.7.2026 | Culture

Night Bazaar in Narva-Jõesuu

Night Bazaar in Narva-Jõesuu

The sleepy seaside resort village of Narva-Jõesuu will transform into a magical nighttime market and festival area on 1 August … Read more

24.7.2026 | Culture

Wiiralt’s Masterful Graphic Art on Display in Tallinn

Wiiralt’s Masterful Graphic Art on Display in Tallinn

A new art gallery opened in Tallinn’s Old Town at the beginning of summer, with its first exhibition dedicated to … Read more

23.7.2026 | Culture

Tartu Buzz Old Town Festival 2026

Tartu Buzz Old Town Festival 2026

Tartu is Estonia’s cultural capital, and to celebrate this, the Tartu Sumin, or “Tartu Buzz” Old Town Festival will take … Read more

22.7.2026 | Culture

Tallinn Rock Festival Is Just Around the Corner

Tallinn Rock Festival Is Just Around the Corner

In a little over a week Tallinn Rock Festival will take place in—you guessed it—Tallinn, at the Unibet Arena from … Read more

22.7.2026 | Culture

Estonian Wine Day in Põltsamaa

Estonian Wine Day in Põltsamaa

For many years, Põltsamaa’s best-known export product was its strong mustard. Even before production was outsourced to Latvia, the same … Read more

21.7.2026 | Culture

Leigo Lake Music Festival 2026

Leigo Lake Music Festival 2026

Near Otepää in Southern Estonia you’ll find a lake called Leigo, where there are two stages built right on the … Read more

20.7.2026 | Culture

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

22 July Kadriorg Park Anniversary, Tallinn Tallinn’s most beautiful urban park, together with its many museums, celebrates its 308th anniversary. … Read more

18.7.2026 | Culture

Võsu Beach Festival Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary

Võsu Beach Festival Celebrates Its 15th Anniversary

The Võsu Beach Festival, or Võsu Rannafestival in Estonian, is returning to the seaside resort of Võsu on 24–25 July … Read more