Event Details
Welcome to Medieval Days Tallinn 2027
From 9 to 11 July 2027, the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Tallinn transforms into a living Hanseatic city of the Middle Ages. Organised by the Estonian Folk Art and Craft Union since the year 2000, this beloved festival enters its 28th edition. Around the Town Hall Square (Raekoja plats) and Niguliste Hill, merchants, craftsmen, knights, musicians and performers bring the golden age of the Hanseatic League back to life in one of Europe's best-preserved medieval city centres.
Highlights
- Hanseatic medieval market at Town Hall Square with traders from Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Hungary, Sweden and beyond
- Medieval craftsmen's village on Niguliste Hill featuring blacksmiths, carpenters, leatherworkers and other guild craftsmen
- Knight tournament with sword fighters and spectacular combat demonstrations
- Knight school offering sword-fighting and archery lessons for children and adults
- Medieval procession from Viru Gate along Viru Street to Town Hall Square
- Performances by European medieval music ensembles, including the Estonian group Rondellus
- Medieval dancing with the group Reval Regnum
- Interactive craft workshops: leatherworking, wax carving, archery and more
- Children's area with dedicated program on Niguliste Hill
- Crowning of the finest master craftsmen on the final festival day
Program
The Medieval Days span three full days and are organised across several distinct festival zones. Town Hall Square forms the heart of the market, with daily stalls, merchant displays and craft workshops. Niguliste Hill (around St Nicholas' Church) houses the medieval village with a children's area, knight school and tournament grounds. The festival opens each year with a ceremonial medieval procession through the Old Town. Medieval music ensembles from across Europe perform on stage throughout the festival; the ensemble Rondellus is a perennial favourite with their acclaimed "Sabbatum" program. Strength and skill competitions, theatre performances and guided historical walks round out the program. Admission to the festival is free; individual workshops may charge a small on-site fee.
Medieval Market & Crafts
The Hanseatic market at Town Hall Square is one of the festival's centrepieces. Traders and craftspeople from Estonia and across Europe offer handmade goods including leather goods, forged iron tools, textiles, jewellery, pottery and traditional foods such as roast meats and rustic breads. In the workshops, visitors can get hands-on experience and try traditional techniques under the guidance of master craftspeople. Tools and methods are kept as historically authentic as possible.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early to secure a good spot for the opening medieval procession.
- Wear comfortable footwear as the cobblestone streets of the Old Town can be demanding over long periods.
- July weather in Tallinn is generally pleasant at 18 to 23°C; a light rain jacket is recommended just in case.
- Travel by bus or on foot from the city centre; the Old Town is largely closed to private vehicles.
- Workshop places (leatherworking, wax carving etc.) are limited and allocated on site.
- Card payments are accepted almost everywhere in Estonia; carrying cash is rarely necessary.
- Book Old Town accommodation well in advance as demand is high throughout July.
