As the city moves into Christmas mode, its downtown neighborhoods don their Christmas finery for the holidays. Christmas arrived with a literally glittering event, the lighting of the Syntagma Christmas tree by Athens mayor, Haris Doukas.
When the holidays are over, the 20-meter-tall nursery-grown fir tree will be donated to the Athens School of Fine Arts to be used as raw material for woodcarvings by its students. A proportion of its ornaments are made out of 100% recycled PET plastic.
But it’s not just the center—every neighborhood in Athens and Piraeus is being transformed to turn the whole city into one big celebration. Educational programs, workshops for children and families, live concerts, parties, musical theater performances, exhibitions and events await young and old alike.
We have prepared a detailed guide to those events that have free admission in municipalities around Attica, to make it easier for you to draw up your own festive schedule.
Christmas in the city from the City of Athens: 44 days of celebration
Against the backdrop of the city’s luminous Christmas decorations, the Municipality of Athens is determined to make this year’s Christmas look every bit the fairy tale. Until 10 January 2025, the capital will remain transformed into a vast open-air festive stage with events for all ages.
Residents and visitors are invited to experience the magic of Christmas through concerts, theater performances, readings, educational programs, art workshops, outdoor film screenings, exhibitions and guided tours. Plus, of course, spectacular festive events on the longest night of the year as well as on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
A “Red thread” around Athens’ neighborhoods
Between 21 December 2024 and 5 January 2025, seven Athens squares will be transformed into warm and welcoming storytelling islands, ready to take us on journeys into worlds of fantasy and dreams. In tents which were specially designed to be as welcoming as possible, countless books await all those who fancy a good read, and to hear a good story or two.
Famous artists and athletes will be there telling stories packed with wisdom, nostalgia and hope taken from beloved fairy tales, while the magical atmosphere will be further enhanced by carols and the festive rhythms of the City of Athens Brass Band.
Activities for the whole family
Workshops, games and activities bring families closer to the Christmas spirit.
Artistic workshops whose participants can make Christmas decorations, calendars and greeting cards; where they can paint or bake, try their hand as theatrical play or musical movement, build puppets and the theater in which their creations can strut their stuff, read creatively, craft items out of threads and yarn, decorate a traditional Christmas boat, create artworks with inspiration from Kandinsky and Salvador Dali, do some gardening with festive poinsettias, or try their hand at illustration, bookbinding and pottery at the National Gallery and the Museums, Libraries, Creative Learning Centers and cultural venues of the City of Athens.
Charity bazaars and Christmas markets will give you all the gift ideas you need, with everything from comics and ceramics to books and festive decorations, with a little face painting and the odd bubble show on the side.
Musical events and concerts
On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Syntagma Square will be transformed into an open-air stage for concerts by beloved artists including Panos Mouzourakis, Doros Dimosthenous, MIKRO, Idra Kayne, “The Thing”, Nikolaos Lavdas and the Athenian Mandolinata Orchestra, the MOb Trio and Zamominia.
The City of Athens Brass Band will be performing its Christmas melodies on pedestrian walkways around the city. Don’t worry if you can’t make it, though, as Athens 9.84 FM will be following the music from Syntagma and Ermou to Agios Panteleimonas and Kypseli, and broadcasting the festive tunes for all to enjoy.
The Olympia “Maria Callas” Municipal Music Theater will be hosting some glamorous musical evenings, with Johann Strauss II’s classical operetta Die Fledermaus, the “RosARTe of Musicals” concert featuring much-loved songs from Disney and Broadway musicals, as well as a festive performance by the Athens City Big Band with Veronica Mortensen and the outstanding Danish performer Niels HP.
The program also includes a concert of “Christmas Carols and Songs”, the “Athens Capital 1834” anniversary concert with historical works by leading composers, and a tribute concert to Thanos Mikroutsikos entitled “Let me come with you”.
The Maria Callas Museum is also hosting special events including the “Christmas Listening Club” with radio producer George Florakis and Alkyone, and a special “Hot Chocolate Jazz Session”.
The Melina Mercouri Cultural Center will be awash with the sounds of Byzantine and folk music along with rebetiko performed by “Sounds’ Journey through Time”, while the Athens Book Space and Kypseli Municipal Market will be flooded with classic melodies and contemporary tunes from both the international and Greek music scenes performed by Brass Fun. Events such as “Kypseli Beat” and “Athens Cocktails” promise unique musical experiences in Athens’ own much-loved Municipal Market.
The Aggeliki Chatzimichali Museum of Folk Art and Tradition will host the fairy-tale opera The Angel Who Became a Star and an event featuring “Greek Carols with Narrations” about the Greek customs traditionally associated with the Twelve Days of Christmas. Finally, at the Athens Book Space in Eleftherias Park, jazz will reveal its magic in “Jazz Around the Kids”.
Outdoor film screenings
As 2024 nears its end, on December 27-30, the magic of Athens at Christmas melds with the magical world of film in a collaboration between Frontstage Entertainment, Cinobo, and the Athens International Children’s Film Festival.
Atmospheric outdoor screenings will take place at iconic locations around the capital, including the al fresco section of the Athens Book Space in Eleftherias Park, the square in front of Athens Cathedral, and the carpark of the Lycabettus Municipal Theater, where you’ll be able to enjoy a drive-in screening with festive Athens laid out at your feet.
Theatrical performances, exhibitions and guided tours
Experience unique art and culture during the festive season in Athens’ museums and cultural venues. In the al fresco section of the Athens Book Space, the theatrical narratives of “The Brayer and the Carols” and “The Nutcracker” transport children to fantastic worlds, while the children’s theater groups of the Grava Cultural Center present a Christmas performance entitled “A Night of Wonders”.
At the same time, the Maria Callas Museum offers guided tours combined with Christmas melodies played on the piano on the third floor, while the Aggeliki Chatzimichali Museum of Folk Art and Tradition offers a tour with a translation into Greek Sign Language to promote inclusivity.
In the “Toy Stories” art exhibition at the Melina Mercouri Cultural Center, our relationship with toys acquires a new dimension through the works of artists and children, while at the Neos Kosmos Creative Learning Center, the exhibition “Aesthetic Chromatology – Recycling and Applied Arts” spotlights recycling and creativity.
Christmas Eve with the Night of Wishes
The festive season’s favorite custom comes to Kotzia Square on Christmas Eve. On December 24, we “light up” the city with our wishes, filling the sky with the traditional biodegradable lanterns of the “Night of Wishes”.
New Year’s Eve in Syntagma Square
Athens will be seeing in the New Year with a festive show that brings the “Terrace of Phoebus” to Syntagma Square. On New Year’s Eve, Phoebus Delivorias together with Natassa Bofiliou, Thanasis Alevras, Martha Frintzila, a large band, dancers and young voices present live a musical and theatrical time machine that will pay visits to the entire history of Athens from 1945 to 2025 through songs, dance, projections and humorous sketches. The festive evening will begin musically with the City of Athens Brass Band.
See the detailed program of events to be staged by the Municipality of Athens.
Christmas in Piraeus: the neighborhood celebrations
The port puts on its glad rags and invites us to experience live the magic of the holidays together, with events and surprises for young and old
From the lighting of the impressive Christmas tree outside the Municipal Theater, the illuminating of the Piraeus Tower and the fairytale “Village of the Elves” in Korai Square, to the events in Piraeus’ neighborhoods, the festive atmosphere will leave no corner uncheered.
Central sites such as the Pasalimani and the Clock Tower are transformed into magical places with interactive games, surprises and activities for young and old alike, while the city’s neighborhoods have been decorated and illuminated to get residents and visitors into the Christmas spirit.
The Municipality of Piraeus Christmas program includes concerts, performances and events, while traditional customs, such as the decorated boat in Pasalimani, are brought to life and combined with more modern traditions like the “Red Night”, the “Santa Night Run”, and Christmas Street Parties. The celebrations will culminate in a spectacular New Year’s Eve, when Piraeus will be bathed in the light of nautical flares and fireworks to welcome in 2025.
The decorations on the Christmas tree and all around Piraeus all use efficient LED lamps and are made out of fully recyclable materials in line with the Municipality of Piraeus’ efforts to save energy, reduce consumption and enhance the sustainability of its Christmas program, without depriving the city and its citizens of a bright festive atmosphere over the Christmas season.
See in detail the program of Christmas events to be staged by the Municipality of Piraeus.
Christmas at the Athens Concert Hall with festive music in the Atrium of the Muses
In addition to the Christmas events in its auditoria, the Athens Concert Hall will be hosting concerts with festive melodies in the Atrium of the Muses, performed by up-and-coming ensembles from conservatories and music schools around Attica. Admission is free to the public.
The program is as follows:
- Saturday 14.12 | 18:15 | Children’s Choir of the Athens Conservatory
- Sunday 15.12 | 16:15 | Polyphonica Children’s Choir
- Saturday 21.12 | 18:15 | “Roads of the sea” ensemble from the Piraeus Music School
- Sunday 22.12 | 16:15 | “Jazz Sharp 9” combo from the Alimos Music School
- Friday 27.12 | 18:15 | Choir of the Agia Paraskevi Parish Youth Center
- Saturday 28.12 and Sunday 29.12 | 18:15 | Athens Conservatory jazz ensembles
And the pop-up ice rink in the very center of Athens
This winter, the Athens Concert Hall will once again be hosting a fully-functioning ice rink where its friends of all ages can entertain themselves and get some festive exercise.
The 375 square meter rink is covered by a marquee, so visitors can skate whatever the weather. Parents and other accompanying non-skaters can enjoy a hot or cold drink or a snack in the heated space alongside the rink as they watch the skaters strut their stuff.
The Christmas World of the SNFCC comes to life
As it does every year, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) conjures up moments of Christmas magic for all as it shares the joy, warmth and hope of the season in what is now firmly established as the capital’s best-loved festive destination.
The Canal Ice Rink, the Festival of Illuminations in Stavros Niarchos Park, the dancing fountains, the towering decorated fir trees in the Agora, and the 80 lit-up plane trees along the Canal, the glittering lighting ceremony on 1 December and the always impressive New Year’s Eve event, all contribute to make the SNFCC an imaginative Christmas setting.
Against this backdrop, a rich program unfolds that has something for everyone: concerts, performances and film screenings for the whole family, DJ sets, skating, games, workshops and happenings are just some of the things that will make this Christmas truly special for everyone.
The SNFCC ice rink is back!
From December 1, the Ice Rink will rise up from the Canal and invite all skaters, experienced and not, to dance on the ice to the accompaniment of their favorite Christmas tunes.
As always, visitors can find the Ice Rink on the Canal’s north bank, where, in addition to skating, they can enjoy the sight of the SNFCC in all its illuminated splendor and the Choreographed Fountains as they spin on their skates.
The rink is open daily from 10.00 in the morning until 10.00 at night, weather permitting.
See the detailed program of the SNFCC’s free activities and events.
Travel with the Ellinikon North Pole Express
This Christmas, the magic of the North Pole awaits you just one stop away at the Ellinikon Experience Park, a destination where dreams come true.
From December 2 to January 6, children of all ages can feel the Christmas spirit and share the joy of this magical journey with their loved ones.
All aboard the Ellinikon North Pole Express for a unique journey to the most festive destination. Then disembark and discover unique experiences and unforgettable memories wherever you go.
From your first steps in the park, you’ll be greeted by your favorite Christmas tunes, lights, glittering snowflakes and some surprises. Stop at the Christmas Signposts: whichever way you choose to go, all sorts of delights await you. Choose the path you want to follow and find yourself in the Snow Gardens, the Polar Village and the Ellinikon North Pole Express.
As you continue on your journey, you’ll meet Arctic animals including polar bears, penguins, reindeer and moose. Positively glowing and laden with Christmas gifts, they be the best of friends with our young visitors in no time.
Outside the Zen Garden, in the Fitness Area, you’ll find impressively enormous snowflakes that provide the ideal backdrop for fantastic photos, as well as the best-known and best-loved Greek festive and winter delicacies—everything you need for a delicious break.
The last stop is the Polar Village. Here, the kids can paint and create unique constructions in the art workshops, watch fairy tales “come to life” via the innovative Action Tale program, participate in exciting experiments, and transform themselves with a little face painting in Santa’s Grotto, where each and every one of them will get to be photographed with the Big Man himself.
A Christmas village with an ice rink in the Municipality of Nikaia-Agios Ioannis Rentis
The Municipality of Nikaia – Agios Ioannis Rentis is once again welcoming Christmas with a series of events full of joy and surprises this year. Agios Nikolaos Square has been transformed into a Christmas village with an ice rink, elves, Santa’s Grotto and toys and games of every sort.
With creative activities, concerts and creative workshops, the city invites its young friends to get to know it anew, with a dusting of fairytale magic.
The official illuminating of the Christmas tree will take place on Saturday 7 December at 6.00 pm, accompanied by a concert by LILLA and a dance program. The Santa Run will take place on Sunday 22 December at 12.00.
Starting in Davaki Square, the Santas will finish in Agios Nikolaos Square, and the end of the run will be followed by a concert by Kostas Martakis.
The Municipal Music School has prepared a cycle of concerts in squares and streets in both municipal units, while Christmas customs will be revived in senior citizen community centers (KAPI), clubs and organizations around the municipality.
Photo Credits: Longxiang Qian/Pexels
For music, hot chocolate and elves, head to Vyronas
The Municipality of Vyronas will be welcoming Christmas 2024 with a rich program of cultural events, starting with the lighting of the Christmas tree on 15 December and continuing for two weeks after that.
On Sunday 15 December, at 6pm in Fatsea Square, the Snow Queen and the Elves will be lighting the biggest tree in town.
Singing, dancing, photos with Santa in the Photo Booth, hot chocolate and gift exchanges from the wish workshops.
The festivities include concerts, choirs, children’s shows and films as well as a big Christmas party in the municipality’s central market.
Tree lighting and singing in Kifissia
The Municipality of Kifissia will start its program of Christmas events with the lighting of the Christmas trees in Nea Erythraia and Kifissia. On Sunday 8 December, at 18:00, in Ethnikis Antistaseos Square (at the junction of Plastiras, Sevdikiou, and Patriarchou Grigoriou streets) the Nea Erythraia tree is set to light up the evening sky and mark the start of this year’s magical Christmas.
Photo: Jonathan Borba/Pexels
The event will be accompanied by the voices of the Children’s Choir of the 1st Primary School of Nea Erythraia, conducted by their teachers, and the “Kifissia 1937 Choir”, singing classic Christmas melodies accompanied by the “Esodimeso Conference” quartet with maestro Debbie Sakellariou conducting. The “Andreas Katevinis” Municipal Brass Band will be adding a musical note of its own to the proceedings, under the baton of Mr Giorgos Chios.
On Tuesday 10 December, it will be time for Kifissia to light its tree at the Shoppingland Center. This year, the Children’s Choir of the Municipality of Kifissia will be there to accompany the ceremony, under the direction of Mr. Athanasios Arvanitis, while “METALLON”, the Athens State Orchestra’s celebrated brass and percussion ensemble will be joining forces with the soprano Vassia Zacharopoulou in a program of Christmas melodies.
On Saturday (07/12/24) and Sunday (08/12/24), the municipal amateur theater group will present Agatha Christie’s The Mystery of the Christmas pudding in Kifissia Town Hall.
Children’s theater and storytelling in the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni
The Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni invites us once again to a series of Christmas events for children and adults, including concerts with celebrated artists, choir tributes, children’s theater, storytelling, a Christmas village in Voula (with workshops covering toy making, painting, music and dance), cultural events, educational programs and any number of surprises.
The lighting of the Christmas tree will take place on December 13th in Voula’s Imia Square (at 20:00) with a musical event entitled “Rockin around the Christmas”, with the Soul Vibrators.
A mélange of rock and roll hits, 60’s dance songs, Greek and foreign melodies will get everyone in the mood for Christmas, while the dancers from the municipal Latin and European dance classes will be there to add to the proceedings. The event will be opened by the “Viva Voche” children’s choir under the direction of T. Konstantopoulos.
Photo: Tolga Aslantürk/Pexels
On Sunday 15 December 2024, at 18:00 in the Municipal Theater of Vari, young and old alike can enjoy the theatrical “The GRINCH’s Magical Christmas”, while 20 December will feature the grand opening of the Christmas village in Voula’s Agios Ioannos Park at 19:00
Choreographies, animateurs, a magic show, a bubble show, fire jugglers on unicycles and impressive stilt walkers, plus performances of carols and Christmas songs by the students of the Municipal guitar classes led by their teacher, Mr. D. Karousos.
See the detailed program of the Christmas events of the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni.
It’s party time in Peristeri
Once again this year, Peristeri’s Christmas program will center on Dimarchion Square (Metro stop: Peristeri), where we can look forward to some big concerts with much-loved artists.
Daily events will create a magical atmosphere and give locals and visitors the opportunity to enjoy performances, music and much more.
Photo: Sami Aksu/Pexels
Children will have a whale of a time on the carousel and roller coaster, while the city market will be transformed with festive decorations to conjure up the ultimate Christmas atmosphere.
On Friday 6 December, Peristeri will be lighting its Christmas tree with a big concert featuring none other than Despina Vandi.
A spectacular evening, and one with many surprises in store. The children’s and teenage choir of the National Conservatory of Peristeri will be adding their angelic voices to the proceedings. A Christmas parade and celebration with the Municipal brass Band, Peristeri’s Cultural & Sporting Clubs, Friendship Centers (K.F.F.) and Creative Workshops.
Christmas in Maroussi with the Children’s Choir of the Municipal Conservatory and the Youth Orchestra
Maroussi’s Christmas events for the whole family will once again include the festive program organized by the Sports and Culture Department of the Municipality, which will extend from Saturday 7 to Saturday 28 December.
The festive atmosphere will be ushered in by the traditional lighting of the Christmas Tree on Thursday 12 December 2024, at 8.00pm, in Evterpi Square (reachable on the Kifissia-Piraeus underground-overground train).
Photo: Alina Bystrova/Pexels
The evening will also feature music and songs by Kostis Maraveyas, the Municipal Brass Band and the Children’s Choir of the Municipal Conservatory of Maroussi.
Earlier, on Saturday December 7, the Children’s Choir and Youth Orchestra will display their talents with Christmas melodies in the Town Hall.
The detailed program of the free events on offer from the Municipality of Maroussi.
In the “Fairytale Kingdom” of the Municipality of Alimos
This year the Municipality of Alimos will be staging its Christmas events under the umbrella title of the “Fairytale Kingdom”.
The official opening will be on 20 December, but there will be events throughout December with all manner of activities for young and old alike, at the Municipal Library, the Karolos Koun Theater and the Cultural Center.
A Christmas village with toys, crafts, treats, creative activities and shows for children will await everyone at Karaiskaki square. There will be theatrical, musical and children’s performances at the “Karolos Koun” municipal theater and Santa’s Slay will make its way around every school in Alimos.
Fun and games in Santa’s Park in Flisvos
Photo: Evgeniy Zolotarev/Pexels
In the first weekend of December, Santa’s Park in Flisvos will once again be opening its doors.
There will be free events for everyone over the festive period. For young and old— just as long as Christmas is their favorite season of the year.
Flisvos Park is transformed into a massive Christmas village with a trampoline, a roller coaster, a carousel, bumper cars and much more for our little friends to enjoy over the holidays.
The park will be open daily and the festive mood will continue into the New Year.
