Tallinn’s Christmas market is one of the most photographed in Europe: wooden stalls around a tall Christmas tree on Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats), the Gothic town hall behind it and the medieval Old Town all around. Tallinn says its first public Christmas tree stood here in 1441, which makes it a friendly rival to Riga’s claim from 1510.
Dates 2026
The Tallinn Christmas market is open from 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 on Town Hall Square in the Old Town. Entry is free. Check the opening hours for each day on Visit Estonia before you go.
What to try
- Glögi, Estonian mulled wine, often served with gingerbread (piparkoogid).
- Blood sausage with sauerkraut, the classic Estonian Christmas dish.
- Roasted nuts, Estonian cheese and smoked meats.
- Marzipan figures from the Old Town, and hand-knitted mittens and socks as gifts.
How long from Riga to Tallinn?
Riga to Tallinn is 308 km along the Via Baltica, a little over four hours by car without stops. In December allow extra time for snow and early darkness: the sun sets around 15:20 in Tallinn.
Three ways to go with a driver
1. Direct transfer. A car from your address in Riga to your hotel in Tallinn, without stops. From €355 for a car with up to three passengers, one way, for the whole car.
2. A day trip with stops. Leave Riga in the morning and stop on the way at Sigulda and Turaida Castle or in the seaside town of Pärnu, then arrive in Tallinn for the market lights in the evening. From €417 per car, with one sightseeing stop included.
3. There and back. Most guests stay one night in Tallinn and return the next day. The way back costs the same as the way there. Going and returning on the same day means more than eight hours in the car, so it only works for a short visit.
Tips for the trip
- Dress for cold, wind and icy cobblestones: warm boots with grip, a hat and gloves.
- Weekday evenings are calmer than Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
- Keep big luggage in the car or at the hotel: the Old Town streets are cobbled.
- The euro is used in Estonia, as in Latvia, and most stalls take cards.
More about the road and the stops: Riga to Tallinn: bus, train, car or private transfer. And the Christmas market at home: Riga Christmas market 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Tallinn Christmas market in 2026?
From 20 November 2026 to 6 January 2027 on Town Hall Square in the Old Town.
How long does it take from Riga to Tallinn by car?
A little over four hours for 308 km without stops; allow more in winter.
How much is a private transfer from Riga to Tallinn?
From €355 one way for a car with up to three passengers. A day trip with sightseeing stops starts from €417.
Can I visit the Tallinn Christmas market as a day trip from Riga?
It is possible, but it means more than eight hours of driving in one day. Staying one night in Tallinn is much more relaxed.
Dates checked in November 2026 against Visit Estonia. They can change, so check before you travel.