The countdown for the Christmas has begun and Athens has dressed up ready to spread the festive spirit to its citizens and visitors. The towering Christmas tree from Karpenisi, with 40,000 lights, decorates the Syntagma. with a crowd of people taking pictures in front of him every day while many of his events take place Municipality of Athens they promise young and old that they will have an unforgettable time at this year’s holidays.

The squares of the capital have been filled with Christmas toys, the music stages invite favorite artists and bands, while festive parks and ice rinks have sprung up in various corners. of Athens.

To help you get into the Christmas spirit for good, we’ve put together a little guide so you can find out what you can do this year’s holidays if you’re in Athens.

Where to go at Christmas and what to see in Athens

The central square of the Athenian capital, the Syntagma Square it has been decorated since the beginning of December and every day from the 20th to the 28th of the month it will offer its visitors three live events. The day starts at 11:00 with orchestral ensembles. At 2:00 p.m., “fresh” musical proposals from up-and-coming bands will follow, while at 6:00 p.m., well-known Greek artists and bands will perform on the stage of the square, among them the Nikos Portokaloglouthe Rena Morphythe Eurydice and Myron Stratisthe Stavento and the Ivi Adamouthe 1550The Dimitris Starovasthe ENORASIS etc.

Also on December 23, the Athens Big Band is preparing to revive the “golden” age of jazz, with legendary songs by Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, with the interpretations of Stavros Romanos and Jenis Kapadaiin artistic curation Sami Amiri.

Only four days later, on December 27, Athenians, Athenians and friends of the capital will have the opportunity to enjoy the festive concert “The Twelve Days of Christmas» with the Athens Municipality Choir and the soprano soloist Myrsini Margaritiunder his direction Stavrou Beri.

Ten “Christmas villages” in the neighborhoods

From December 23rd until January 6th, the neighborhoods of Athens, from Acharnon and Lambrini to Pagrati and Hellinorosson, are transformed into “Christmas villages”.

THE Santa Claus accompanied by his elves who are in their positions every day to welcome their young and old friends with treats, face-painting and many more festive interactive experiences.

The events will be accompanied by, among others, stilt walkers, jugglers, Christmas mascots, animateurs, puppets and jugglers.

Omonia puts on its best and celebrates in Christmas rhythms

From December 17th until the first day of 2023, the spirit of the holidays also spreads in Omonia Square. THE Christmas Market of Omonia becomes the new commercial and entertainment institution of Athens and fills the historic square with sparkle and more vitality, while offering Christmas delicacies and plenty of fun to young and old through a series of special events.

The women of the square will have the opportunity to try salty and sweet delicacies at the specially designed stands that will be set up, to do their shopping and also to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in the heart of Athens.

At the same time, on December 29, in one of the most beautiful arcades of the center, the Moxy arcade, there will be a big Christmas party with lots of music and dancing.

• For more information here

Educational activities for parents and children

As early as December 7 and for a whole month, a series of innovative and quality actions for young and old are taking place at the OPANDA premises, the Museums, the Libraries, the Art Gallery, the Arts Center, the “Melina” Cultural Center, as well as at the Creative Learning Centers in the seven Municipal Communities, offering endless joy and spreading beautiful children’s smiles. This Christmas, the “Anna & Maria Kalouta” multi-purpose hall returns renovated and welcomes the public with free musical and theatrical performances.

The “Night of Wishes” on Christmas Eve

On December 24, young and old make their wishes and the sky in Kotzia square will be filled with the traditional lanterns of the “Night of Wishes”.

Two-day celebration for children at the Municipal Market of Kypseli

On December 26 and 27, the Municipal Market of Kypseli opens its doors for children who will have the opportunity to listen to their favorite songs, take photos and exchange wishes.

• Detailed program of the events of the municipality of Athens here

The ice rink is located in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

The SNFCC ice rink has been set up since the first day of December and those who wish to “dance” on the ice listening to their favorite holiday tunes

The impressive Ice Rink is located on the north bank of the Canal, at the height of the Visitor Center and operates daily from 10:00 in the morning until 22:00 at night, weather permitting.

Entry is free but online pre-registration is required. Other surprises await you at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center such as concerts.

• For more information here

Meet Santa at the Christmas Factory

The Christmas Factory has never been more colorful and brighter than.

Santa is waiting for his little friends to ask him for their presents while in the factory area there are eight new separate workshops: from a ghostly maze to creative confectionery activities, Face Painting and a dancefloor for young and old, a bigger ice rink, the band of elves and much more.

• For more information here

The Christmas Theater is ready to enchant everyone

The Christmas Theater welcomes this year’s festivities with a variety of musical and theatrical performances for all ages.

From December 11, 2022 to January 1, it will present Frikandela by Evgenios Trivizas, with a live symphonic orchestra of 27 musicians, a multi-member children’s choir and leading opera actors, while Vassilis Papakonstantinou, Miltos Paschalidis and Christos in a different evening. December with three emblematic works by Thanos Mikroutsikos, signed by three of the most important Greek lyricists, Manos Eleftheriou, Alkis Alkaios and Odysseas Ioannou.

Lambros Fishfis returns with THERE IT AGAIN on December 22 and on December 25 and 26, The Nutcracker comes with a fantastic performance by the Kyiv Ballet.

• For more information here

The warmth of Christmas tales at the National Theatre

Nena Menti and Reni Pittaki lend the warmth of their voices to favorite Christmas stories on December 10, 11 and 17, 18. They sit next to the National Theater Christmas tree in the Rex Foyer and young and old are waiting to read them the most beautiful Christmas tales such as ‘The Match Girl’, ‘The Nutcracker’, ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Shoe and the Elves’.

• For more information here

The whole family celebrates at the Athens Concert Hall

The Athens Concert Hall greets Christmas with two productions for the whole family, the rock musical “Scrooge”, starring Panos Mouzourakis, and the performance “Karagiozi’s Christmas in Paris” by the troupe of shadow artist Ilias Karellas.

However, in addition to musical theater performances, the festive program also features a lot of music: two concerts with the Vienna Mozart Boys’ Choir, the traditional festive church organ with Ourania Gassiou, but also the New Year’s gala of Crete. , this year, songs and excerpts from the greatest musicals of all time.

• For more information here

2023 starts at Syntagma and then has a party at Varvakeio

With lots of love, music, fun, dance, fireworks, glitter and surprises, the municipality of Athens says goodbye to 2022 and welcomes 2023 with an audio-visual extravaganza that starts at 10:00 p.m. on the night of the new year. Later in Varvakeio, a wild party will be set up in which several of the most important djs of Athens will participate.