Winter in Tallinn, the European Capital of Culture 2011

Christmas markets and the snowy slopes of the Nõmme Adventure Park are fantastic reasons to visit Tallinn, Estonia this winter. However, as the city was just named the European Capital of Culture in 2011, we’d like to focus on the season’s upcoming cultural events:

Gingerbread Mania

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than by taking a tour of Tallinn’s annual gingerbread exhibit? Held each winter at the Design and Architecture Gallery, the Christmas project is a beloved tradition. It celebrates all things gingerbread, from houses and decorations to the history of the spiced sweet. Nothing is what it appears to be at first glance; take a closer look to discover the mouth-watering wonder of gingerbread. This is the perfect winter attraction for those visiting the Estonian capital with children—or for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Black Nights Film Festival

Equally family-friendly is Tallinn’s annual Black Nights Film Festival, traditional held in late November through December. The can’t-miss event highlights animated, student and children/youth films as well as full-length features in multiple genres. Yes, there are plenty of films by Estonian artists; however, the festival showcases a great selection of world cinema. It is undoubtedly one of the city’s most popular events.

Christmas Jazz Festival

Every year, around Christmastime, the concert halls and churches are filled with the smooth, warm rhythms of jazz music. This year, 20 venues (including nightclubs, theatres and places of worship) in six Estonian cities are set to participate, starting from November 24^th. The festival will last through December 10^th, and it will host an impressive array of international musicians. Spanish flamenco artist Ana Salazar, French vocal group the Voice Messengers and a new vocal sextet called the Estonian Voices are among the headliners.

Tallinn Winter Festival

Among the many events taking place in the city this winter, none may be as important as the Tallinn Winter Festival. This is because the annual charity gala is always held for a great cause. This year, proceeds will go to benefit the children at the Käo daycare centre. Specifically, funds will help acquire technical communications aids and physiotherapeutic aid. Estonian musicians, mainly playing classical music, flock to the city’s churches and concert venues to help attendants understand the festival’s motto of “Tõsta pilk ja ava süda!” This translates to “Open Your Eyes, Open Your Heart.”

Christmas Circus

Did you know that the first ever recorded public display of a Christmas tree was in Estonia? Well, back in 1441, the city was actually the capital of German Livonia, and the tree was erected in the town square of Reval. The custom back then was to dance around the tree to celebrate the Christmas season, and then to burnt it down once the holiday has passed. The custom was started by the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, a guild for unmarried merchants. Today, it is continued by the people of Tallinn as part of the annual Christmas Circus. Other festivities include a traditional Christmas market complete with colorful lights and music, Santa Claus and his elves wandering among the stalls, and kid-friendly attractions like Santa’s Post Office, where you can mail your Christmas wish lists.

Tallinn also has a thriving music and theatre scene, wonderful cinemas, and unique art galleries. So why wait? Book a room at one of the best hotels in Tallinn (we recommend the Meriton Grand Conference & Spa Hotel, and the Baltic Hotel Vana Wiru) and get ready to experience all that this European Capital of Culture has to offer!