Christmas season 2024

Christmas Market. In the foreground the tower of the Old Church and the church, with the illuminated Town Hall in the background.

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

Tampere Christmas Opening 23 November

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.

Trumpeters and other people marching down the street in red costumes and hats.

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 decorations at Tallipiha Stable Yard, people sitting in a cafe terrace.

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
Museum Milavida and a christmas tree in winter.

Tampere Christmas Market

The traditional Tampere Christmas Market will open partially on 23 November as the Gluhwein restaurant, the doughnut café 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 from 23 November.

  • Christmas Market is open every day from 11–19
  • The Gluhwein restaurant is open daily 11–20, also on 23 December from 11–20 and 24 December from 11–15.
People at Christmas Market, Town Hall in the background.

Independence Day and Children's Ball

Independence Day celebrations will take place on 6 December, 2024 from 17–17.30 at Keskustori Central Square.

Children's Independence Day Ball will be held in the Sorsapuistosali of Tampere Hall on 6 December, 2024. This year it will be a two-part event and you can attend either from 13–15 or from 15–17.

You can admire the winter illuminations of Keskustori Central Square from 6 December, 2024 to 6 January, 2025.

People at the Old City Hall. Finnish flags in flagpoles.

Christmas Mail for the Elderly

Tampere is once again participating in the national Christmas Mail for the Elderly campaign and invites everyone in the city to join in spreading Christmas cheer. During the campaign, Tampere residents can make Christmas cards to be distributed before Christmas to clients of home care or elderly housing services. Christmas greetings can be brought to collection points across the city from 4 November to 6 December 2024. The campaign is organised by Siskot ja Simot ry, a creative community of carers.

Colorful Christmas cards made by Tampere residents.

Christmas skating

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.

Pool and a led candle.

Doghill Christmas 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.

Opening hours

  • 12–15 December from 3 pm - 7 pm
The audience watches a performance on stage in Särkänniemi Doghill.

Service opening hours during holidays

Tampere Festival of Light and Light Gallery

The Tampere Festival of Light illuminates the city centre with hundreds of magical light spheres, street projections and exciting light art.

Light Gallery "Mosse and Tattooed Friends" by Joel Slotte is located in the city centre till 9 March, 2025.

Tampere Festival of Light
Led light curtain has a snow flake pattern. A building illuminated with a winter themed picture.

Christmas events in Tampere

See here for the nearest upcoming events. Events will open in the Tampere events calendar. The City of Tampere is not responsible for events organised by other event organisers.

See more in the events calendar

See also

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

Photos: Laura Vanzo / Visit Tampere, Mikko Vares

Updated 20.11.2024