New Year in Tbilisi: Christmas Market and Hidden Gems Tour

This tour is interesting because it strings together the most photogenic holiday stops in Tbilisi with real local food and shopping time, all in one 3-hour route. You start with landmark lights, then move into the Christmas bazaars, and finish on Rustaveli Avenue where the city goes full winter glow. It is an easy way to understand the season without doing hours of planning on your own.

I love that you get a front-row look at St George’s Column at Liberty Square, right in the middle of the New Year festivities. I also like the food focus at Bazari Orbeliani, which turns the day from just sightseeing into a chance to sample Georgian flavors and pick up edible souvenirs.

One drawback to consider is the weather. Winter in Tbilisi can be cold, with a chance of rain or snow, and this is a walking tour that covers about 3.5 km over roughly 3 hours.

Key highlights before you go

• Liberty Square’s St George’s Column: the big holiday photo stop at the city’s center
• Orbeliani Square Christmas bazaar: hot mulled wine, handmade gifts, and seasonal music if you catch it
• Bazari Orbeliani food hall: Georgian dishes, wines, lemonades, and spice and craft shops
• Rustaveli Avenue holiday lights: the main New Year tree near parliament plus Georgia’s Santa, Tovlis Papa
• Small group size (max 10): easier pacing and questions for your English guide

Liberty Square and St George’s Column: your first New Year snapshot

Your walk kicks off at Liberty Square, one of the easiest places to orient yourself in Tbilisi. This is where you see the iconic St George’s Column dressed for the season, with lights and decorations set up for the New Year crowds.

What I like here is the timing and the vibe. You start outdoors, close to a major landmark, so you quickly get your bearings. It is also the kind of place where you can pause for photos without feeling like you are wasting time, since everyone else is doing the same thing.

The stop is short, about 15 minutes, but it gives you a useful warm-up. You learn what the holiday lighting looks like in the center of the city, then the tour carries that same mood forward into markets where you can actually browse and snack.

Orbeliani Square Christmas bazaar, President’s Palace, and 19th-century streets

Next you head to Orbeliani Square, the heart of Tbilisi’s Christmas bazaar season. This is the area where the holiday energy is practical, not just decorative. You’ll see cosy kiosk-style setups selling things like hot mulled wine, handmade gifts, and local snack options.

There are two reasons this stop is more valuable than it looks on paper. First, it is built for wandering and browsing at your own pace within a guided route. Second, it places you near major civic sights, including the President’s Palace, which is also decorated for the season.

You also get a taste of the Orbeliani district’s architectural character, including 19th-century buildings with European influence. That matters because it helps you connect the holiday lights to the real city around them, instead of treating the season like a theme park.

This stop runs about 50 minutes. That is enough time to take photos, watch for any live music performance you might catch, and still feel like you did more than just pass through.

Bazari Orbeliani food mall: where your walking tour turns into eating time

Then comes Bazari Orbeliani, a key stop if you care about food culture. This used to be a Soviet-era bazaar, and it has been repurposed into the city’s largest food mall, with a mix of casual bites and more “sit and enjoy” tasting options.

I like this part because it gives you a different kind of holiday experience. Orbeliani Square is about seasonal atmosphere and gifts. Bazari Orbeliani is about Georgian flavors you can actually buy and take home, plus a sense of everyday shopping culture.

Inside, you’ll find quick food and local delicacies, along with Georgian wines and lemonades. You will also see shops selling handmade crafts, plus spice blends and other edible items that are easy to turn into souvenirs.

What to consider: this is a place where you can spend extra money fast, because everything looks tempting and gift-able. The tour includes snacks, so you do not need to buy your meal here, but if you want to sample wines or multiple dishes, come prepared with a bit of cash and a plan for what you want to try.

This stop is about 45 minutes. It’s a good length for tasting a few things, shopping with a purpose, and still having time for the final lights on Rustaveli Avenue.

Rustaveli Avenue lights, the main New Year tree, and Tovlis Papa

Rustaveli Avenue is Tbilisi’s main street, and in December it turns into a long corridor of holiday lighting. During the season, the facades of historic buildings along the avenue get illuminated with sparkling decorations, so the whole street feels designed for night photos.

Near the parliament building, you’ll find the main New Year tree. It is the kind of sight that makes you pause even if you are not usually a “holiday lights” person, because the scale is hard to miss. You’ll also find Georgia’s Santa Claus, known as Tovlis Papa, which adds a very local twist to the Christmas scene.

This stop is about 35 minutes. I recommend treating this as your “let’s lock in the memories” portion of the walk. Take your photos, watch the energy, and if you want a last-minute gift, you often have nearby options because this is a major street.

The tour ends at the Rustaveli area, around Merab Kostava St, so you’re also in a convenient location to continue on your own after the guide wraps things up.

The 3.5 km route: pace, timing, and what to wear

This is a walking route of about 3.5 km (roughly 2.2 miles) with stops along the way. The whole thing takes around 3 hours, so the walking portions between stops are not long, but you still want decent winter footwear.

A big practical point: the guide does not use voice amplifiers, and the tour is in English. That is generally a plus for a natural conversation style, but in cold weather or in louder street areas, you’ll want to stay close enough to hear clearly.

The group size is capped at 10 travelers, which usually makes the pace feel manageable. You also get a little patience from the structure: short landmark stop, then market time, then a food stop, then the long light stretch on Rustaveli.

Weather is the only real wildcard. The tour notes that winter can bring rain or snow. If you pack like a local, you’ll be fine: a warm jacket, layers you can adjust, and something water-resistant so the damp does not steal your focus.

Price and value: is $39 worth it for a guided holiday loop?

At $39 per person for about 3 hours, this tour is priced for people who want a guided route without paying for a full-day plan. You are not just getting “see a few buildings” sightseeing. You get a structured walk through the central holiday zones, plus included snacks, and the guide takes care of the flow between stops.

Here is how I think about value for this kind of experience:

• You save time. Instead of figuring out which markets are actually worth your attention, you get an itinerary that hits both the Christmas bazaar areas and the food mall.
• You reduce stress. In winter, streets, crowds, and lighting can make navigation annoying. A guide keeps it straightforward.
• You get small-group attention. With a max of 10 travelers, you are not lost in a huge crowd where questions go unanswered.

The tour does not include personal expenses, so anything you buy at kiosks or shops is on you. But the included snacks mean you can keep your spending under control if you choose to snack first and shop second.

Your guide matters, and Oksana’s approach shows up in the details

One of the strongest reasons I’d pick this specific tour is the guide quality. In an account shared by a guest, the guide Oksana stood out for being cheerful and patient, and for staying alert to safety during an unusual situation on the day of the tour. That guest also noted that Oksana helped the group through it and stayed with them until everyone caught a taxi back to their hotel.

That kind of hands-on care is exactly what you want from a winter walking tour. You want someone who keeps the day moving, but also knows when to slow down, check the group, and help you get home safely.

Also, since this is offered in English and there are no voice amplifiers, your guide can focus on clear communication rather than fighting noise with equipment.

What you should bring (so the cold does not ruin the vibe)

The tour itself takes care of the route and the stops, but you should bring a few basics for comfort and control:

• A small bottle of water (suggested)
• Some cash for incidental purchases at the bazaar kiosks and shops
• Warm clothing, because winter can be cold and there can be rain or snow
• Your phone for the mobile ticket, since that is how you access the tour

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are coming in from elsewhere in town.

Should you book the New Year in Tbilisi tour?

Book it if you want a simple, central holiday plan that mixes Christmas market atmosphere with a serious food stop and a big end-of-walk lights payoff on Rustaveli Avenue. This is especially smart if you like walking tours but do not want to spend your day mapping out where to go.

Skip it only if you hate cold weather walking, or if you prefer fully independent exploring with no scheduled route. This tour is short enough to fit most itineraries, but it still is a winter walk.

If you’re traveling in a small group, or you want that calm “someone else handles the pacing” feeling during the holidays, this one is a good bet.

FAQ

How long is the New Year in Tbilisi tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Does the guide use voice amplifiers?

No. The guide does not use voice amplifiers.

What stops are included on the route?

You visit Liberty Square, Orbeliani Square, Bazari Orbeliani, and Rustaveli Avenue.

How much walking is involved?

The walking route is about 3.5 km (2.2 miles), including the stop time.

Is the admission fee included for the stops?

Admission tickets are listed as free for the stops.

What is included in the ticket price?

Snacks are included.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at BurberryFreedom Square, Shalva Dadiani Street, Mtawminda 0105, Georgia. It ends around Rustaveli at 2 Merab Kostava St, Tbilisi, Georgia.

What should I bring?

The tour suggests carrying a small bottle of water and some cash for incidental expenses. It also notes winter can be cold, with a chance of rain or snow.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.