The IKEA Tampines Christmas market runs across three December weekends, but only the first two come with snow. Visit on 4–6 or 11–13 December 2026 for the evening snowfall, or pick 18 December if the Swedish Christmas buffet is what you’re coming for.
When to catch the snowfall at IKEA Tampines
Head to the Level 1 store entrance between 6pm and 8.45pm. Snow falls for 15 minutes every half hour on all six evenings, and the sessions are open to all IKEA customers. The market itself is upstairs on Level 3 and returns for a final weekend from 18 to 20 December.
Where to find Santa and BLÅHAJ
IKEA’s blue shark makes an appearance at the market at 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm from 4 to 6 December. On Sunday 6 December, you can also catch the Swedish Luciatåg celebration of light at 2pm on the same floor.
Santa’s photo spot is one floor higher, in the Level 4 room setting SE02. He appears at 2pm and 4pm on 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 December. Check IKEA’s activity schedule before choosing your date.
The Tampines Christmas buffet is on 18 December
IKEA’s Julbord travels between stores. Jurong serves the Swedish Christmas buffet on 4 December, Alexandra takes its turn on 11 December and Tampines hosts dinner on 18 December. That gives Tampines visitors one evening to combine the buffet with the final market weekend.
Which IKEA Tampines Christmas market weekend should you choose?
For families who want to see the shark, Santa and snow on the same trip, 5 and 6 December offer the most overlap. Catch BLÅHAJ upstairs in the afternoon and return to the entrance after 6pm. On the final weekend, pick Saturday or Sunday for Santa rather than Friday’s buffet.
Planning another school holiday outing? Suntec City’s cartoon playgrounds are already open.
