Tampere Christmas Market to Open Soon – Featuring a Sauna Experience for the First Time

Construction of the Tampere Christmas Market began this week. Opening in November, the market will once again bring festive treats, handicrafts and a variety of entertainment to the city's Central Square. This year, visitors can also look forward to something new: the chance to experience the warmth of an authentic Finnish sauna right in the heart of the Christmas Market.

Adding a new dimension to the market’s festive offerings, AITO Sauna will bring the Finnish Christmas sauna tradition to this winter event in the city centre. Visitors can now enjoy a relaxing Finnish sauna experience while exploring the Christmas Market, shopping and sampling festive treats.

“I am delighted that we are finally bringing a sauna to the Christmas Market. It is wonderful to be able to offer an authentic Finnish sauna experience in such a central location in Tampere. This is a great new way for groups of friends and families to enjoy the Christmas season,” says Saara Saarteinen, Event Manager at the City of Tampere.

The sauna arriving at Tampere Christmas Market has already made an appearance on the international event scene. This is the same sauna that AITO Sauna brought to the Tampere Sauna Lounge during the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Now, it will welcome visitors to enjoy an authentic Finnish sauna experience in the heart of Tampere. Finnish actor Jasper Pääkkönen and Avanto Architects are names behind the AITO sauna.

“Our sauna combines Finnish sauna traditions, natural materials and modern design. We want to make the authentic Finnish sauna experience accessible to an even wider audience. The combination of relaxing sauna heat and the festive atmosphere of Central Square creates a unique experience that brings together Finnish sauna culture and the anticipation of Christmas. We are extremely excited about this collaboration,” says Elina Lilleberg, representative of AITO Sauna.

Finnish Sauna Traditions Meet the Festive Atmosphere of the Christmas Market

Tampere Christmas Market attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. In addition to local residents, the market’s festive atmosphere draws tourists from across Finland and around the world. Finnish sauna culture has also been gaining international popularity for years. Tampere, known as the Sauna Capital of the World, and its public saunas are currently attracting worldwide interest. The Finnish tradition of the Christmas sauna is another experience that fascinates visitors.
“Tampere Christmas Market has established itself as one of the city’s cherished Christmas traditions. Alongside our public saunas and special Christmas sauna sessions, the new sauna at the Christmas Market further strengthens Tampere’s position as the Sauna Capital of the World,” says Tuomas Paloniemi, PR and Media Manager at Visit Tampere.

Tampere Christmas Market will open on 21 November and welcome visitors until 22 December 2026. From 21 to 27 November, a selection of the market’s stalls and restaurants will be open. The official opening celebrations will take place on Saturday, 28 November, after which all market stalls and restaurants will be open until the market closes.

The Christmas Market sauna will be open daily from 21 November, between 11 am and 8 pm. Sauna tickets cost €10 per person and are available through Tiketti – Bookings open on Tuesday, 3 November at 10:00 AM. Each sauna session lasts 1.5 hours and accommodates a maximum of eight people.
All sauna sessions are mixed saunas, and group bookings are also available. Heated changing facilities are located near the sauna, with separate changing areas for women and men. Showers and clothes storage facilities are also provided. Visitors must bring their own towel. Swimwear is mandatory in the sauna.

Tampere Christmas Market Sauna 2026

• Opening hours: 21 November – 22 December 2026, daily from 11 am to 8 pm
• Location: Tampere Christmas Market, Central Square (Keskustori), Tampere
• Sauna tickets: 10 € / per person, Bookings open on Tuesday, 3 November at 10:00 AM via the Tiketti website
• Session duration: 1.5 hours, maximum eight people per session
• What to bring: Your own towel, swimwear, drinking water
• Sauna arrangements: All sessions are mixed saunas. Group bookings are also available. Heated changing facilities with separate areas for women and men are located near the sauna, along with showers and clothes storage facilities.