Christmas and New Year festivities are a highlight in Athens, although you may be surprised to find that the calendar and traditions are a little different. With the big Christmas tree in Syntagma Square, lights all over the city, concerts, activities for the little ones… The municipality of Athens offers a wide range of activities, most of them free for all. Find out more about the full program in Greek for the 2024 festive season in Athens. And don’t miss the lighting of the big Christmas tree in Syntagma Square at the end of November. Athens is a great place to celebrate the festive season!
Christmas shopping in Athens
December is a great time for shopping. The storefronts are beautiful and enticing. And you won’t be able to resist the shopping frenzy.
Of course, you can also take advantage of the festive shopping streets in central Athens at Syntagma, Ermou Street, or in the Kolonaki, Monastiraki or Plaka districts. You’ll find plenty of stores and opportunities to stock up on gifts made in Greece.
Malls: if it’s raining, stay warm in the malls. Among the best-known are Golden Hall and Mall of Athens in Maroussi, Metro Mall in Charavgi, Village Shopping on the road to Piraeus and Designer Outlet Athens in Spata for great gifts at low prices.
Christmas markets: there are several organized in the city, such as Kypseli and the Christmas village in the Pedion tou Aeros park (From December 8, 2024 to January 7, 2025). But there are also Christmas bazaars organized by associations. We warmly recommend the Christmas Meet Market (Friday December 13 to Sunday December 22, 2024).
Opening hours: stores will close late in December, and most will be open on the Sundays before Christmas. From mid-December, stores are generally open weekdays from 9am to 9pm, with extended opening hours until 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. However, most stores will be closed on December 25, 26, January 1 and 2.
It’s museum time!
Take advantage of this period to fill up on culture. What’s more, you’ll benefit from a winter rate that’s almost half the summer price. So don’t hesitate to visit the great classics: the Acropolis, the Acropolis Museum, the Ancient Greek Agora, the Archaeological Museum, the Kolonaki Museums (Benaki, Cycladic Art and Byzantine Art).
And if you’re not in the mood to wander the great halls of these temples of culture, prefer the small museums that are rooted in everyday themes (music, education, crafts…). For children, we’ve tried out a few that they loved: the Museum of Illusions, the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology and the Hellenic Motor Museum in Athens.
What’s more, each museum has its own coffee shop, so you can extend your stay in the warmth.
Beware, however, of opening times. Most museums are closed on December 25 and 26, January 1 and 6. Museums close earlier on the eve of public holidays.
Shows: ballet, concert, opera
Even if you don’t speak Greek, you can still enjoy concerts, operas and dance performances. Here are just some of the venues offering performances this Christmas 2024.
- The Stavros Niarchos National Opera including the famous Don Quixote, La Bohème and Swan Lake on the Alternative stage.
- At the Tae Kwon Doe in Faliro, a great family show Aladdin on Ice will take you on a journey to the land of 1001 nights.
- The Megaron Athens Concert Hall with a packed program including The Snow Queen, the screening of Polar Express in cine-concert mode with the Athens State Orchestra, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker Christmas or the the New Year’s Eve Opera Gala dedicated to Giacomo Puccini, as well as a children’s show by the famous Karagiosis : Karagiozis’ Christmas in Egypt.
- The Christmas Theater for shows for all ages, such as Pinocchio’s Magical Christmas or The Magical Symphony of Hogwarts…
- The Greek National Theatre including events with subtitles.
- At Pallas Theater, you can enjoy the musicals Matilda and My Fair Lady.
- At Christmas Factory, the show “A Christmas Story” by Charles Dickens, a play for children (in Greek)
- And more ideas for outings at SNFCC like marvelling at the impressive light installations by leading foreign and Greek designers. Or figure skating shows. And a whole host of other events.
Every year, the municipality of Athens also offers free theatrical performances in December. Find the full program of 2024 festivities of Athens Municipality in Greek.
Treat the kids over the Christmas vacations
Of course, Christmas is for children. So here are a few ideas to keep them busy this vacation season.
Indoor activities
- Christmas Factory in Technopolis Gazi. This is an ephemeral theme park in the center of Athens from Saturday, November 23, 2024 to Monday, January 6, 2025. Christmas spirit is guaranteed, with Christmas decorations, an ice rink, a miniature train, a Ferris wheel, children’s shows, surprises and presents. And Santa Claus, of course!
- There are a number of shows suitable for children in the larger venues mentioned above, such as Karagiosis’ Christmas or a cinema screening (see the Athinorama program).
- There are also plenty of museums to interest them: the Museum of Illusions or the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology, the Planetarium or XPlore.
- Indoor play: if the weather’s not cooperating, opt for indoor activities: climbing at The Wall in Pallini, Paidotopos (indoor playgrounds) all over Athens, Playmobil© FunPark…
Outdoor activities
- First and foremost: Christmas in Syntagma Square. Although the Christmas tree is a recent tradition, every year Athens strives to erect one of the tallest Christmas trees in Europe. This year, the tree in Syntagma Square measures 20 meters. Numerous free events take place in Athens (choirs, shows…). This year, the lighting of the big tree in Syntagma Square takes place on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at 6 p.m.!
- And every year, the city of Athens puts on a rich program of events, concerts and entertainment for the festive season (in greek).
- Reading corners in Athens’ neighborhoods: From late December to early January, the squares of Athens get into the festive mood of Christmas, this year hosting cosy tents where Christmas tales are told. Free admission
- On December 1, 2024, the festivities begin at the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Centre with its traditional illuminations and the famous ice rink (free and open from 10am to 10pm, from 01/12/24 to 07/01/25). The full program can be found on the SNFCC website (Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center).
- If you’re an avid skater, you can warm up your skates at the SNFCC Stavros Niarchos rinks and the Christmas Factory, as well as at one of the rinks listed on the Ice Arena website (such as the rink at Village Shopping, or at the Escape Center in Ilion…).
- If the weather is fine, you can also try a trip to the zoo as it has the great advantage of being open every day.
- A little further on, in Malakassa, you can climb trees at Adventure Park, for all ages.
- For the more sporty, you can also spend a day or two on Mount Parnassus, where you can skiing.
Even more ideas in our Children’s section: museums, walks, what to do in Athens with children…
Some ideas to keep you busy on public holidays in Athens?
In Greece, December 25 and 26 and January 1 are public holidays. So forget about museums and exhibitions that will be closed.
If the weather’s fine
It’s a chance to get some fresh air, even if it might be cold.
- Why not go to the seaside ? In Schinias, the beaches are great for strolling. Or head for Nea Makri and Marathon, where you’ll find several seaside tavernas. You’ll even find beaches accessible by streetcar or bus just 45 mins from the center of Athens.
- Or on the hills around Athens: on Parnitha, in the Tatoï forest, at the Kessariani monastery, in the Kaisariani forest, or on Mount Hymette near the Franco-Hellenic high school.
- Unless, of course, you’d prefer to stroll around Athens and take in the atmosphere of the after-party (Lycabette, Filopappou), or Stavros Niarchos.
What if it rains?
- Not much diet, but a good brunch or tea room can be very welcome. Here, too, the big hotels offer a range of options, including Christmas pastries. And to immerse yourself in the world of Christmas, don’t miss the cafe Little Kook with its impressive decorations.
- The cinema option is still available, program on Athinorama.
- And why not take a trip to the Casino. At the top of Mount Parnitha, treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in this amazing place. To get there, take the funicular. Admission is free, but please bring your ID and dress appropriately.
If you need a ride, you can book a cab with Welcome Pickups.
What to do on Christmas Eve in Athens?
Religiously speaking, the Orthodox don’t celebrate Christmas on December 24, but on December 31 for Saint Basil’s Day. The distribution of gifts is therefore postponed for a week. Nevertheless, Christmas remains a family celebration, a pretext for a good meal that puts an end to a period of fasting.
- Make a wish and throw a lantern into the sky. Meet at Kotzia Square on December 24 at 6pm.
- Christmas carols: on December 24 and 25, children sing Kalandas (Greek folk songs) in the streets. Some choirs organize carols in Athens.
- Restaurants: Many restaurants will be open on the evening of the 24th. However, we recommend that you call to make sure they’re open and make a reservation. Great Britain’s top hotels and the Saint Georges Lycabette also offer special Christmas evenings.
What to do in Athens for New Year’s Eve?
December 31 is doubly celebrated, as it marks both the start of the New Year and St. Basil’s Day on January 1. This is when presents are distributed and Vassilopita is eaten. So here are a few ideas for an evening out on December 31 in Athens.
- Drinking champagne at the top of Lycabetta: festive and ideal for admiring the illuminated city.
- Go to Syntagma Square: on December 31, from 10 pm, the square takes on a festive atmosphere, with music, dancing, fireworks and many other surprises.
- Then keep the party going for the changeover to 2025, on January 1 until 5 a.m., join the famous Varvakeio central market where Athens’ top DJs will be performing.
- Attend a Bouzoukia: a staple of Athenian nightlife, these clubs offer live Greek music and a guaranteed atmosphere. For New Year’s Eve, many also offer dinner + party packages. Like some years at Stavros Tou Notou.
- An evening at the Opera: on New Year’s Eve, La Bohème will be performed at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
- Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Stavros Niarchos: party, concert, spectacular fireworks display and even a race at 0:04!
- Alternatively, head to one of the lively bars or clubs in Gazi, Psiri, Monastiraki or Kolonaki and check out our article Where to go out in Athens?.
And what to do in Athens on January 6?
January 6 will also be a public holiday. In the Orthodox faith, Epiphany is also an important day.
- You can attend a liturgy in an Orthodox church. Even if you don’t understand Greek, you’ll be lulled by the songs and rituals.
- Another tradition if you’re near the sea, don’t miss “Ta Fota”, where young people throw themselves into the water to retrieve a cross thrown by the Pope.
Find out more in our article dedicated to Epiphany in Greece.
We wish you happy holidays!
Sophie B. and Virginie W.
