If you've only experienced Athens in summer or on a spring or autumn break, you won't believe its transformation at Christmas. Decorations, lights and festive cheer fill the streets in the centre from the end of November to the first week of January, while neighbourhoods all around the city host Xmas markets and bazaars. From amusement parks with Santa's grottos and elf workshops to live concerts and Christmas-themed shows, there’s plenty to do for all the family – all with the bonus of the mild December weather in Athens and the buzzing nightlife scene. Oh, and about those ancient landmarks and museums you've always wanted to visit... you can do that, too, but without the summer crowds. Don’t believe us? Let’s convince you why you should spend Christmas in Athens.
The festive spirit in the city centre
There are plenty of Christmas events in Athens to plan around but perhaps your most vivid memories will come from simply soaking up the festive atmosphere of the city centre. The focal point is Syntagma Square, where a giant Christmas tree (hand-picked from the fir tree forests of Karpenisi) glows with more than 24,000 lights and where Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations are held. But all around you are streets and shops dressed for Christmas.
Grand avenues like Stadiou and Panepistimiou stand out because of their Christmas lights, while window shopping doesn’t get any more elegant in Athens than on Voukourestiou Street or in the boutiques of Kolonaki. Christmas shoppers drift down Ermou Street towards Monastiraki Square and Plaka, areas humming with visitors in the summer but with the more intimate glow of Athens in December. Time for a drink or a meal? Neighbourhoods loved by locals, Thissio, Psyrri and Exarhia await. Meanwhile, Christmas villages and events spring up all over Athens … at the Municipal Market of and in Kotzia Square, where New Year’s Eve is marked with the ‘Night of Wishes’ tradition of lanterns (biodegradable, of course) being released into the night sky in front of the City Hall… just two of the highlights of the City of Athens’ Christmas events program.
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre
The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) holds a special place in the hearts of Athenians at Christmas time. Throughout December and into January, it is transformed into a winter wonderland with special events and productions in the National Opera House and within the SNFCC grounds.
Athenians come just for the festive atmosphere, marvelling at the colourful dancing fountains in the canal and enjoying live music performances while eating crepes or loukoumades (Greek donuts) and sipping hot chocolate or mulled wine. The SNFCC gardens are magical as always (especially the light installations) and a temporary ice skating rink never fails to get the Christmas mood going. And if you're in Athens on New Year's Eve, the SNFCC hosts a spectacular celebration with live music and fireworks.
Christmas theme parks
Another must when it comes to events in Athens is to visit the Christmas Factory at Technopolis in Gazi, where the city’s former gasworks have been turned into a cultural complex. Running from the end of November to the first week of January, it recreates a 'city within a city' inspired by Athens itself. Visitors are invited to become 'elf citizens' (yes, it's a thing) and enjoy a world filled with fun and magic, including Santa's House, crafting and face-painting workshops, stalls to buy Christmas sweets and presents, and festive-themed theatrical performances. Amusement rides include a Ferris wheel and a carousel and there is a 400 square metre ice rink.
Meanwhile, Santa Claus Kingdom lights up the Mediterranean Exhibition Centre in the Peania district in northeastern Athens. Younger visitors are swept into the fairytale world of Cinderella, Snow White, Pinocchio and Alice in Wonderland and visitors of all ages get to visit Santa’s house and toy-making workshop. There are rides including a rollercoaster, bumper cars and an ice rink, as well as musical and dramatic performances, crafts and face-painting stations.
Athens Concert Hall (Megaron)
Next, there are the Christmas events of the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), including classical concerts, operas and festive melodies by the Athens State Orchestra and guest artists. Past performances have included works like Johann Sebastian Bach's "Christmas Oratorio" and galas and operettas that put you in the festive spirit. There is also an indoor ice rink in the Atrium of the Muses, spanning 350 square metres, that is perfect for skaters of all levels.
See what’s on at Athens Concert Hall
A Christmas stroll in Piraeus
The Christmas spirit blends with the distinctive maritime atmosphere of Piraeus, Greece’s largest port city, about 25 minutes from Athens city centre by taxi or metro. Festive events centre on Korai Square, which is transformed into a Village of the Elves, and Municipal Theatre, where the city’s Christmas market is set up. But there are events and activities all around Piraeus, including the Train of Happiness (where you’re accompanied by elves) and the Santa Night Run. It’s the perfect excuse to get to know Piraeus, which has a very different personality to Athens, with its own scene of authentic tavernas, cafes and shops. Or you can come just for a waterfront stroll, where Christmas markets sell handmade crafts and local treats, followed by dinner in seaside spots like Pasalimani and Mikrolimano.
Τhe Hellinikon Experience Park
The Hellinikon Experience Park is another popular spot during Christmas in Athens. Part of the impressive redevelopment of the city's former airport, which combines modern design with sustainability, it offers fun and activities for families and friends in its 70,000 square metres of green space. Admission is free and Christmas highlights include impressive light installations, a magical carousel for all ages, delicious street food, creative activities for kids … and of course, an impressive Christmas tree.
Ice skating
You've already had the chance to go ice skating at the likes of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, the Christmas Factory and the Athens Concert Hall, but if you're serious about skating, then the permanent ice rink in the Egaleo district of western Athens is for you. Ice n Skate has an 800-square-metre ice rink that hosts ice hockey and curling matches, as well as welcoming the public to bust out their ice skating moves. It's just a few minutes from Eleonas metro station and has a café and comfortable area for non-skaters to enjoy the show.
The food & drink scene of Athens
The Athens food and nightlife scene is special all year round, but there’s an extra buzz at Christmas and New Year. There are so many places to enjoy a meal in the Greek capital… in the tavernas, restaurants and bars of the historic centre, but also in neighbourhoods like Psyrri, Pangrati and Koukaki. Feel like spending the night out by the sea? Then head to the Athens Riviera (in neighbourhoods like Glyfada and Vouliagmeni) or in Piraeus. You simply have to select your style. Looking for something traditional? Then choose a taverna, an ouzerie or a koutaki (a small, typically family-run restaurant with homely dishes). Or maybe you’re in the mood for modern Greek cuisine, fine dining or something ethnic. Greeks spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve with family and friends, after which many go to bars and clubs. Or they see in the New Year at a restaurant with a special menu.
Throughout your time in Athens, you won't have any trouble finding a place to grab a drink. The labyrinth of streets in the centre is always popular and there are plenty of bars with rooftops and balconies, some with views of the Acropolis. Oh, and don’t leave Athens without trying traditional Christmas cookies: melomakarona (honey-drenched cookies spiced with cinnamon and cloves) and kourabiedes (almond shortbread dusted with icing sugar). And if you’re lucky enough to be in Athens for New Year, make sure to try Vasilopita, a vanilla-scented cake honouring St Basil. A coin (known as a flouri) is hidden in the cake and whoever finds it is believed to have good luck for the year.
Excursions in the mountains close to Athens
The last of your Christmas in Athens experiences is to enjoy a day trip out of town. In just over an hour from the centre, you can reach the top of Mount Parnitha, one of the three mountains surrounding Athens, where the only thing missing from the alpine landscape (complete with fir trees and antlered deer) is Santa Claus and his sleigh. The road takes you all the way to the top, or you can take the cable car and then walk for two hours to the Bafi Refuge, where the food is heart-warming and the views of Athens are epic.
Or how about heading to Arachova, a popular winter getaway around 2.5 hours from Athens? Situated at 950m on the slopes of Mount Parnassos, it has cosy cafes and shops selling local products. Best of all, just 30 minutes further up the mountain is the Parnassos Ski Centre where (snow permitting) there’s fun for skiers and snowboarders on slopes ranging from 1,640m to 2,260m altitude. Not what you were expecting! Then again Christmas in Athens isn’t what you’ll be expecting.
The best of Christmas in Athens
Whether you’re travelling with kids, as a couple or with friends, you’ll love your time in Athens over Christmas. Live concerts and shows, festive markets and theme parks, great food and drink… and let’s not forget the bonus of the December weather in Athens.
Christmas in Athens FAQs
Athens enjoys a mild winter compared to much of Europe, with daytime temperatures typically ranging from 10-15°C (50-59°F). Nights are cooler, often around 5-8°C (41-46°F), so a warm jacket is recommended, especially if you’re planning to explore after dark. Rain is possible but not very frequent, and you can often enjoy clear, crisp days – perfect for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Snow is rare in the city but can sometimes be seen on the nearby mountains.
Athens offers a blend of things to do during Christmas, including festive concerts and events, theme parks and Christmas fairs and bazaars in municipalities all over the city. Syntagma Square holds Athens’ main Christmas Day and New Year’s Day celebrations and there are New Year’s Eve celebrations in Kotzia Square, in front of the City Hall. With fewer visitors and milder weather, Christmas in Athens is also one of the best times of year to visit the city’s cultural landmarks and museums.
There are many family-friendly Christmas activities and events in Athens, including amusement parks with rides, Christmas fairs with interactive workshops and face painting, theatre productions and ice skating.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25 and 26 December) are public holidays in Greece, leading to the closure of many establishments, including shops, museums and archaeological sites. Many restaurants and cafes are open, especially in the centre and hotels typically operate as usual. Public transport runs on a holiday schedule and taxis operate a holiday tariff.
Athens offers an array of New Year's Eve celebrations, with a backdrop of fireworks displays and other events. The city’s largest gathering is in Syntagma Square and there are also popular New Year’s Eve celebrations at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre. Many restaurants, bars and music venues hold dedicated events.
Greece has many distinctive Christmas traditions that reflect its rich culture and history. Highlights include Kalanta carols, where children go door to door singing traditional Christmas songs, accompanied by triangles or small percussion instruments; decorating a Christmas boat (a tradition from islands that would welcome sailors back for Christmas); and the Blessing of the Waters (Epiphany) on 6th January (during which a priest throws a cross into the sea, river, or lake and swimmers dive in to retrieve it). On New Year’s Day, families cut the Vasilopita cake in honour of St Basil. A coin is hidden in the cake, and whoever finds it is believed to have good luck for the year.
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