The fairytale courtyards and streets of Tallinn's Old Town

From the Second Advent on 10 December, visitors can once again explore the magical fairytale courtyards in Tallinn Old Town. With the help of light and sound installations, beloved fairy tales will come to life in nine courtyards and streets of the Old Town.

Visitors can enjoy various well-known fairy tales, such as ‘Cinderella’, ‘Hansel and Gretel’, ‘Aladdin’, ‘The Nightingale’, ‘The Golden Key, or The Adventures of Buratino’ and Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s ‘The Little Prince’. The courtyards also feature Estonian folk tales, such as August Kitzberg’s ‘Piibelehe-neitsi’ (Lily of the Valley maiden), F. R. Kreutzwald’s ‘Kullaketrajad’ (Gold spinners) as well as Estonian animal tales.

Christmas is a holiday of lights and so as per usual, the whole of Tallinn, especially the Old Town, will be filled with light, the most charming of which are the tiny Christmas trees decorated with lights lining several streets of the Old Town.

All the medieval gate arches surrounding the Old Town will be lit up. The illuminated towers of the Old Town – Fat Margaret, Kiek in de Kök, Maiden’s Tower, Tall Hermann and a large part of the surrounding walls – will whisper their centuries-old stories to those passing by. Light decorations will cover both trees and fountains, parks and squares. There will also be a new light park on Freedom Square that will grow with each Advent and reach its full size by Christmas.

Hedges and pergolas wrapped in lights on the green area of Harju Street will provide a pleasant space and a cosy mood throughout the winter. Snowflakes on trees invoke the Christmas spirit along with the ice rink that has crept deep into the hearts of the townsfolk.

Designing Christmas cribs is a very old tradition dating back to Ancient Rome. This beautiful legend of the birth of Jesus will also be revived in Old Town Tallinn. Christmas cribs made by craftsmen and schoolchildren in the Old Town will decorate several streets, most of all Vene Street. The city's largest Christmas cribs are located by the portico at the Town Hall and in the sacred courtyard of the St. Peter and St. Paul's Cathedral.