Christmas season 2024

What's happening in Tampere before Christmas? Welcome to enjoy the Christmas season in Tampere!

Tampere Christmas Opening

The Tampere Christmas Opening will be celebrated on Saturday, 23 November from 16–17. The traditional Christmas parade will leave Metso at 4 pm and will go along Puutarhakatu and Aleksis Kiven katu to the Old Church in front of the Keskustori Central Square. The parade will be led by Santa Claus himself. 

After the parade, there will be an event featuring live music, and the Keskustori Central Square's Christmas tree lights will be switched on. The event is organized by Tampere Tunnetuksi ry.

Tallipiha Stable Yards' Christmas

The Tallipiha Stable Yards' celebrates Christmas every day from 16 November to 23 December, 2024.  In the beautiful wooden houses of Stable Yards you can find shops, boutiques and a cafe with delicious treats, hot beverages and freshly baked goods. Little booths at the yard are filled with quality handicrafts and design on weekends. 

Say hello to Santa Claus, pet farm animals in the stable, ride a pony or take a horse-drawn carriage ride.

Opening hours

• Shops and boutiques every day from 10–19 (23 December 10–17)
• The cafe every day 10–20 (23 December from 10–18)
• The kiosk on the terrace is open on weekends and Independence Day 6 December from 11–18.
• Christmas markets on weekends and on Independence Day from 11–18 (23 Dec 11–17).

Christmas at the Palace at the Museum Milavida

Museum Milavida has been decorated for Christmas, and objects and stories about the Christmas celebrations of 19th century gentlefolk have been added to The Nottbecks – Cosmopolitans of Tampere exhibition. 

Christmas at the Palace consists of an exhibition, themed guided tours and a rich supporting programme. See more information on the website.

Opening hours

• Open 19 November, 2024 to 12 January, 2025 Tuesdays–Sundays 11 am – 6 pm
• 5 December, 22 December and 31 December 11 am - 4 pm
• Closed on 6 December, 23–25 December, 2024 and 1 January, 2025

Tampere Christmas Market

The traditional Tampere Christmas Market will open partially on 23 November as the Glogg restaurant, the Doughnut cafe and some of the artisan and food stalls open. The Christmas Market will be fully open on 30 November at 11 am. As usual, the stalls will feature authentic Finnish handcrafts, unique Christmas gifts and even more Christmas delicacies. 

A varied programme is also an essential part of the Christmas Market, with choirs, children's groups and performers.

Opening hours 

Open from 30 November to 22 December, partially open 23-24 December.

• Christmas Market is open every day from 11–19
• The Glogg restaurant is open daily 11–20, also on 23 December from 11–20 and 24 December from 11–15.

Independence Day celebrations

Tampere will celebrate Finland's Independence Day on 6 December 2024 with a public celebration in Keskustori Central Square from 5 pm to 5.30 pm. The event will feature singers Anneli Saaristo, Mikko Harju and Marjukka Tepponen. Tampere Workers' Association band, the male choir Mieslaulajat and the boys' choir Pirkanpojat will also perform at the event.

At the end of the event, the buildings in the Keskustori Central Square area will be illuminated in the traditional way with winter light installations, which will be on display until 6 January 2025. The illuminations will be on daily from 4 pm to 10 pm.

Children's Independence day ball 

The Children's Independence day ball will once again take over the Sorsapuistosali at Tampere Hall. Finland's independence will be celebrated with a theme chosen by the children - Be Yourself.  This year's celebrations will take place in two parts: from 1 pm to 3 pm and from 3 pm to 5 pm. The program content will be the same for both parts. 

The event is suitable for the whole family, especially 4-12 year olds. You can dress up for the occasion.

Disco skating at Hakametsä

Hakametsä Sport Campus welcomes you to a family Christmas event at Hakametsä Ice Stadium on Sunday 1 December at 12-14. Entrance from the AD door at the south end. There will be disco skating to Christmas music, introductions of local sports clubs and the opportunity to donate sports equipment to children through Hope ry. Free admission.

Christmas skating at Ahvenisjärvi

A family skating event on Sunday 15 December from 14–17 at Ahvenisjärvi in Hervanta. Good music and the hockey team mascots IPA and Tapsu! Possibility to borrow skates free of charge, also skate rental in the area.

Swimming in the Christmas mood

Enjoy a swim with Christmas music and lighting in Pyynikki swimming pool on Friday 20 December at 17–20.30.

Doghill Christmas and Valkea 2024 at Särkänniemi

Enjoy the Christmas spirit at the Doghill Christmas at Särkänniemi amusement park. You can play, sing, enjoy and treat yourself in the Christmas wonderland of Koiramäki and meet Santa Claus, reindeer and other animal friends.

Valkea 2024 – Light and Art Festival that brings light, joy and experiences to the darkest time of the year. Enchanting visual art installations with massive light pillars are sure to capture attention – a realm of art for all senses.

Opening hours

• Doghill 12–15 December from 15–19.00
• Valkea 12–15 December from 16–22.00

See tickets and programme information on the Särkänniemi website.

The short address for this page is tampere.fi/en/christmasseason

Photos: Laura Vanzo / Visit Tampere, Mikko Vares