Tammela in Old Rauma is currently being transformed into Christmas Elf Courtyard, which will open to the public on Saturday, November 25, 2023. The Christmas Elf Courtyard will be open until Tuesday, January 2, 2024, every day from 9 AM to 9 PM. The atmospheric lighting will be on daily from 2 PM to 9 PM. The Courtyard is located at Eteläpitkäkatu 17.
“The Christmas Elf Courtyard is produced again this year by Luanista Ltd,” says Sanja Pallassalmi, the producer of Christmas in Lace Town.
At the Christmas Elf Courtyard in Tammela, visitors can peek into the elves’ secret hiding places and cellars. Free guided Christmas Elf tours for children are scheduled on Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM, on Wednesdays from 6 PM to 8 PM, and on Independence Day, December 6, from 10 AM to 3 PM. During these times, the indoor facilities of Tammela will also be open to the public. The tours are in Finnish.
“Last Christmas, many asked what happens in Tammela after dark. This year, the elves will also be adventuring in the evening. Children on the tour will get to explore Tammela with flashlights, guided by the elves,” says Tuija Kankkio from Luanista.
A free lantern adventure is planned for four Wednesdays: November 29, December 6, 13, and 20, from 6 PM to 8 PM.
The Christmas craft workshop will be open on Saturdays: November 25, December 2, 9, 16, and on Independence Day, December 6, from 1 PM to 2:30 PM. An enrolment for the paid craft workshop can be made through the Doerz online store at fi.doerz.com/rauma/jouluaskartelupaja. The workshop is meant for elementary school aged children and it is only in Finnish.
Additionally, the Christmas decoration exchange market and the Lace Town’s summer entrepreneurs’ Gingerbread café will be open on Saturdays: November 25, December 2, 9, 16, and on Independence Day, December 6, from 10 AM to 3 PM.
“In the indoor area, you can also peek into Santa’s workshop. During the visit, you can buy Glögi and decorated gingerbread cookies from the café, operated by Lace Town’s summer entrepreneurs Kiia Kalliokari and Lilli Jalonen,” says Sari Pettersson from Luanista.
The Christmas Elf Courtyard is built through collaborations
Luanista is producing the Christmas Elf Courtyard in Tammela in collaboration with various parties. A large group of experts is joining forces to create this delightful Christmas destination.
“This is a true collaborative effort, and it’s wonderful to be a part of it. The youth workshop plays a significant role in assembling the Courtyard. Several units of the City of Rauma and Vertek Ltd are also involved in the implementation. A great addition is the Väinö Riikkilä Society’s reading corner in the indoor area,” says Pettersson.
The soundscapes of the Courtyard have been created by early childhood education teacher students from the University of Turku’s Teacher Training Campus in Rauma, who are studying drama and literary art.
“It’s great that we have Kirsi Ajomo’s Christmas decoration exchange market in Tammela and Lace Town’s summer entrepreneurs running the Gingerbread Café. In Tammela, there will also be a tiny elf house crafted by two skilled artisans,” Kankkio rejoices.