The New Week Brings a Music Club and Santa Claus Summit to Tartu Christmas City
Tartu City Government Press Release
/ On Thursday, 18 December, at 18:00, Tartu Christmas City will be filled by a lively music club, where the legendary ensemble Laine will take the stage. Then, on Sunday, 21 December, at 15:00, Tartu will host a Santa Claus Summit, followed by the lighting of the fourth Advent candle at 18:00.
From Monday to Friday, Abakhan invites craft enthusiasts to participate in official knitting lunches at the Christmas City stage pavilion from 12:00 to 13:00.
On Wednesday, 17 December, from 18:00 to 19:00, anyone interested can join in a free skating lesson.
On Thursday, 18 December, Lotte’s Elf School will be back from 10:00 to 10:30, where kids can learn all the tricks they need to be an elf. From 18:00 to 19:00, the band Laine will get everyone dancing in the Christmas City’s music club.
On Friday, 19 December, the final ballroom dance workshop will take place from 18:00 to 19:00, where Veiko Ratas, head coach of Tantsukool Tango, will teach the simplest foxtrot turns and combinations. The workshop will be followed by a big Latin dance party together with Latin Passion from 19:00 to 20:00.
On Saturday, 20 December, from 11:00 to 15:00, the Biblioteek bookstore will showcase literary gems from the past year. Santa Claus will be in the stage pavilion from 16.00 to 18.00 to read poems and take pictures with children for the last time before Christmas Eve. From 18:30 to 20:00, Town Hall Square will be filled with magical poetry as poet Stella Terna takes listeners on a melodious journey.
On Sunday, 21 December, the programme begins with a free skating lesson from 11:00 to 12:00. From 14:00 to 16:00, Tartu Food Sharing will visit the Christmas City, offering warm soup made from food saved during the pre-Christmas period.
At 15:00, a grand summit of Santa Clauses will take place on Town Hall Square, where they will discuss the most important topic of all: children’s wishes. The summit will begin at 14:45 with a procession from Tartu Kaubamaja to Town Hall Square, and will continue with the official opening of the Christmas mailbox, the most important stamp ceremony, a press conference, musical performances, and other exciting events.
The fourth Advent candle will be lit at 18:00, and Tartu residents will be greeted by Deputy Mayor Priit Humal and Pastor Leho Paldre of the Tartu Kolgata congregation. Students from the vocal studio E Stuudio will perform at the ceremony. The lighting of the Advent candle will be followed by a concert by Maarja Aarma & Jazz Trio featuring a special Jazzkaar programme entitled Öises sädeluses. Maarja will be accompanied by Andre Maaker on guitar, Peedu Kass on double bass, and Ramuel Tafenau on drums.
The skating rink around the Kissing Students Fountain is open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, and use of the rink is free for everyone. Skates can be rented from 10:00 to 21:00. The Christmas City’s cafés and Christmas shop are open Monday to Friday from 16:00 to 21:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 21:00.
Tartu Christmas City is organised in accordance with the guidelines for environmentally friendly events, in order to reduce the event’s environmental impact. The cafés offer food and drinks in reusable Ringo containers, which cost EUR 1.
Information and programme for Tartu Christmas City: tartukorraldab.ee
More information: Tartu Christmas City producer Ragnar Konson, [email protected]
Last changed 17.12.2025
