The Christmas Market’s New Script: Open Early, Close Early!
Ah, the holiday season! A time when towns transform into twinkling wonderlands, eggnog flows freely, and tourists flock as if they’re reenacting the opening scene of a romantic holiday film. But in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, there’s some plot twist brewing in their Christmas market saga!
This year, the market will open its festive doors earlier—November 22nd, to be precise. That’s right! Just when you thought it was acceptable to ignore Christmas music before Thanksgiving, Tallinn gives you the seasonal shove you didn’t know you needed! Why the rush? Well, it seems Scandinavian tourists have caught wind of Tallinn’s glittering charms and are arriving in droves. But like any good Christmas pudding, there’s a catch—the market will close earlier than a child on Christmas morning, right after the last of the ornaments are packed away on December 27th.
Now, one might wonder why the unceremonious exit after Christmas. Well, Sanders Andla, elder of Tallinn’s Kesklinna district, explained that despite the joyful jingle of money in the cash registers leading up to the holidays, January offers about as much excitement as watching paint dry. Apparently, both tourist foot traffic and local interest plummet faster than a drop in temperature in Estonia!
“Ah yes, the magical experience of attending a Christmas market in February… Oh wait, we shut that down for a reason!”
Last year, the market debuted on December 1st. But with this year’s decision, they’re cutting back on the post-holiday market blues. Local residents typically prefer to indulge themselves in holiday cheer until they stumble upon their New Year’s resolutions. Once the 25th rolls around, the excitement fizzles like a flat soda. Statistics back it up, so if you’re thinking of visiting a Christmas market in January, well, let’s just say we’ll leave the lights on for you, but that’s about it!
Andla pointed out that it’s not just locals who are losing interest. The sad reality is the decline in Russian tourists also played a role in the early closure decision. With fewer tourists, it seems the Christmas spirit is adopting a “survival of the fittest” mindset—only the most festive markets will thrive!
So, what’s the takeaway from this yuletide evolution? The markets, much like that slice of fruitcake you’re desperately trying to avoid after New Year’s, are evolving. The festive season becomes shorter, sharper, and arguably a little more frantic. Maybe it’s time to embrace the slogan: “If you snooze, you lose!”
In conclusion, Detroit’s got its Christmas lights, New York has its massive tree, but Tallinn? It just knows how to keep up with the changing seasons—and the ever-evolving demands of its tourists! So, if you’re planning a trip, best get your sleigh bells ringing early in November. After all, Christmas cheer doesn’t last forever. Get in, get jolly, and get out before the snow melts!
Now, go forth and spread the holiday spirit, or at least a decent pun or two!
This year, the popular Christmas market in the iconic Town Hall Square of Estonia’s capital will kick off earlier than in previous years, attracting tourists from neighboring Scandinavia. However, in a shift from tradition, it will also conclude sooner, with observations indicating a drop in visitor numbers immediately following Christmas, as noted by Sanders Andla, an elder in Tallinn’s Kesklinna district, during an interview with the Estonian public broadcaster ERR.
The traditional Christmas tree has already been set up in the Town Hall Square as of Wednesday, with plans for its removal in February. For reference, last year’s tree was installed on November 23.
This year, the Christmas market will officially launch on November 22, a notable advance from last year’s opening date of December 1. Following the festive period, the market will close its doors immediately after Christmas on December 27. In contrast, prior years saw the market remain open until the first week of January.
Andla elaborated on the practical reasons behind the decision to close the market earlier. Based on previous years’ data, both visitor traffic and the revenue generated by traders experiences a significant decline in January, compared to the lucrative initial weeks of the market’s operation.
“Scandinavian tourists flock to the Christmas market mainly during the months of November and December. Additionally, local residents show considerable interest in visiting from November until the Christmas holidays. However, statistics reveal that post-holiday, the market loses its appeal for locals,” Andla emphasized.
The decision to end the market right after Christmas was further influenced by a noted decrease in the number of Russian tourists, as acknowledged by Andla.
Christmas market. Photo: Paula Churkste/LETA
**Interview with Sanders Andla, Elder of Tallinn’s Kesklinna District, on the Early Opening and Closing of the Christmas Market**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Andla. We’re excited to hear about the changes coming to Tallinn’s Christmas market this year. Can you tell us what prompted the decision to open earlier on November 22nd?
**Sanders Andla:** Absolutely! We noticed a significant increase in tourists from Scandinavia. They’ve become very enamored with Tallinn’s festive offerings, so we wanted to capitalize on that interest. By opening earlier, we allow visitors to experience the magic of our market before the rush of the holiday.
**Editor:** That sounds wonderful! But I understand you’ll also be closing the market earlier, on December 27th. What led to that decision?
**Sanders Andla:** Quite simply, after Christmas, we see a steep decline in tourist foot traffic and local interest. It’s a bit like watching the holiday sparkle fade—once New Year’s is over, things quiet down significantly. We want to avoid the post-holiday slump, so closing early at least helps us end on a high note.
**Editor:** It’s interesting to hear how you’re adapting to changing tourist behavior. Did the decline in Russian tourists also influence this change in market timing?
**Sanders Andla:** Yes, it did. The reduction in Russian visitors has been noticeable, and as a result, we have to be strategic about our offerings. We’re focusing on creating a vibrant experience during the peak season rather than holding onto a market that has started to fizzle out.
**Editor:** Some might say that a holiday mood should last longer. How
