Christmas City Tartu awaits you from 30 November to 4 January
Tartu Christmas City
Every winter, Tartu Town Hall Square transforms into a magical Christmas city, where the festive spirit meets culture. Over five weeks, visitors can explore fascinating exhibitions by the Tartu Art Museum, Aparaaditehas, and TYPA Print and Paper Art Centre, take part in workshops, and enjoy live music performances.
Children will love the straw house, swings, carousel, and the engaging climbing pavilion by the Architecture School.
Tartu city centre ice rink
The Christmas City is adorned with a shining chandelier and a beautiful Christmas tree. Cafés offer warm festive drinks, local delicacies, and sweet treats — a perfect break during a winter stroll.
In addition to the Christmas cheer, visitors can enjoy the ice rink around the Kissing Students fountain, open until 1 March. Come and practice your skating tricks, glide joyfully with friends, or join skating lessons every Wednesday and Sunday — there’s winter fun for everyone!
See you at Tartu Town Hall Square!
Small city,
big experiences.
Tartu Christmas charms.
Tartu’s hotels offer winter holiday options for every taste.
Boutique hotels, spa retreats or a trendy city break – choose your favourite and enjoy Tartu to the fullest!
Restaurant Pompei
Pompei Restaurant in Tartu’s Old Town offers Italian flavours created with love, freshly made pasta and local cheeses crafted from South Estonian milk. Enjoy seasonal taste experiences and an excellent selection of wines.
Restaurant Kolm Tilli
Kolm Tilli is one of Tartu’s most beloved eateries, where flavours of world street food meet a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere. Here you can enjoy juicy pasta, fresh salads and crispy handmade pizzas that delight food lovers both big and small.
The menu includes options for vegans, vegetarians and children, and the restaurant has a friendly, family-oriented environment – an ideal place for a shared meal and quality time together with kids.
Vint Wine Bar & Tapas
Vint Wine Bar & Tapas offers a cozy atmosphere, delicious tapas and a rich selection of wines. It’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy good company and savour great flavours.
Come and enjoy Tartu’s unforgettable culinary experiences in restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide, Falstaff, and White Guide Nordic.
Estonia’s Culinary Region 2025 invites you to discover new favourites!
Tartu’s cultural life never sleeps! Concerts, theatre performances and art exhibitions fill the city with energy and create a special atmosphere for a Christmas holiday.
Wintertime Tartu offers activities for the whole family. Ski tracks, sledding hills and snow tubing, plus the city’s most magical ice rink – come and experience how an active holiday makes your eyes shine!
Christmas markets bring warmth and the joy of discovery to Tartu!
Local flavours, handicrafts, design and unique gift ideas await you across the city. Experience the magic of Christmas and find gifts made from the heart.
Boating on the Emajõgi and Emajõe-Suursoo waterways aboard VidiitEstonia
Wakeboarding, water skiing and tubing with a speedboat in Emajõe-Suursoo
Humala Kalabaas – private and comfortable fishing spot with accommodation on the bank of the Emajõgi River
Guided tour by Mesi Tare “Discovering the Onion Route by boat from Lake Peipsi”
Easy to come,
hard to leave
How to come?
You can comfortably reach the largest city in Southern Estonia by car, train, bus, or plane. The connection with Tallinn offers the most options, with numerous buses and trains departing for Tartu. Tartu also has bus and train connections to many other places in Estonia. If you’re coming from Riga, you can take a direct bus to Tartu, or opt for a train with a transfer in Valga.
