Christmas for everyone: 44 festive days full of events
Set against the bright Christmas decorations of the city, Athens will transform into a fairy tale! From November 28, 2024, to January 10, 2025, the capital will become a large, festive venue with activities for all ages. Residents and visitors are invited to experience the magic of Christmas by attending concerts, theatrical performances, storytelling sessions, educational programs, art workshops, outdoor film screenings, exhibitions, and guided tours. At the same time, the exciting Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations will make this a truly enchanting time of year. The City of Athens Culture, Sports & Youth Organisation (OPANDA), in collaboration with Technopolis City of Athens, Develop Athens S.A., and the Athens 9.84 radio station, has put together an exciting program presented at various venues, including the City of Athens Art Gallery, Creative Learning Centers, museums, libraries, the Olympia City Music Theatre “Maria Callas” the Kypseli Municipal Market, the Maria Callas Museum, and the Athens Book Space in Elefterias Park. Additionally, events are hosted in various squares, streets, and neighbourhoods throughout the city.
“Once upon a time” in the neighborhoods of Athens
From December 21, 2024, to January 5, 2025, seven squares in the city will be transformed into warm nests for narratives that transport visitors to worlds of imagination and dreams. Countless books will await readers of all ages, inviting them to embrace moments of free reading in these specially designed welcoming spaces. Famous artists and athletes will share their stories, wisdom, and hope by reading cherished fairy tales, while the joyous melodies and rhythms of the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra will enhance the enchanting atmosphere.
Events for the whole family
Engaging in workshops, games, and activities is an excellent way for families to embrace the holiday spirit. Opportunities abound for creative expression, including crafting ornaments, calendars, greeting cards, painting, and confectionery. Families can enjoy theatrical performances, music-kinetics, puppetry, and creative reading and explore handicrafts using threads. There’s also the chance to decorate a traditional Christmas ship and create artistic works inspired by renowned artists like Vasily Kandinsky and Salvador Dalí.
Moreover, families can participate in gardening activities featuring festive Christmas Poinsettia plants alongside original illustrations, bookbinding, and pottery workshops. These enriching experiences are hosted at the City of Athens Art Gallery, museums, libraries, Creative Learning Centers, and various cultural venues within the Municipality of Athens.
In addition to the above, vibrant bazaars and Christmas markets are established, providing an array of gift ideas—from comics and ceramics to books and festive decorations. To enhance the festive experience, the markets also offer delightful activities such as face painting and bubble shows, creating a joyful atmosphere for all.
Music events and concerts
From 24 to 26 December, Syntagma Square, the central music scene of Christmas, hosts a diverse range of concerts. You can enjoy the sounds of your favourite artists, such as Panos Mouzourakis, Doros Demosthenous, MIKRO, Idra Kayne, To Pragma, the Athenian Mandolinata “Nikolaos Lavdas”, MOb Trio and Zamominia. For 11 consecutive days, the radio station Easy 97.2 will be broadcasting live Christmas music, adding to the festive atmosphere. The Athens Philharmonic Orchestra will be playing in various parts of the city, bringing a touch of classical elegance to the celebrations. Meanwhile, the van of Athens 9.84 radio station Christmas drives everywhere from Syntagma and Ermou to Agios Panteleimonas and Kypseli, spreading the joy of Christmas melodies. The Olympia City Music Theatre “Maria Callas” stages a variety of performances, from the classic operetta “The Bat” by Johann Strauss the Younger, to the concert “RosARTe of Musicals” featuring favourite Disney movie songs and Broadway musicals, and the City of Athens Big Band with Veronica Mortensen and the great Danish performer Niels HP. The program also includes a concert with “Christmas Carols and Songs”, the anniversary concert “Athens Capital 1834” with historical works by leading composers, and a tribute concert to Thanos Mikroutsikos entitled “Let Me Come with You”.
The Maria Callas Museum hosts special events such as the “Christmas Listening Club” with radio producer George Florakis and Alkyone and a unique “Hot Chocolate Jazz Session”. The City of Athens Cultural Center “Melina” hosts Byzantine, traditional and rebetiko music events with the “Journey of Sounds in Time”, offering a journey through the rich musical history of Greece. The Athens Book Space and the Kypseli Municipal Market host Brass Fun with classical and modern melodies from the international and Greek music scene. Events such as “Kipseli Beat” and “Athens Cocktails” promise unique musical experiences in our beloved Municipal Market, inviting you to discover the vibrant music scene of Athens. The fairytale opera “The Angel Who Became a Star” and the “Christmas Carols with Narration” dedicated to the customs of the Twelve Days of Christmas are presented at the City of Athens Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Aggeliki Chatzimichali”. Finally, at the Athens Book Space at Elefterias Park, “Jazz Around the Kids” introduces the magic of jazz to younger generations.
Outdoor projections
At the end of 2024, from December 27 to 30, the Christmas magic of Athens meets the magical world of cinema through a prestigious collaboration. Frontstage Entertainment, Cinobo, and the Athens International Children’s Film Festival are joining forces to bring you an unforgettable experience. Atmospheric outdoor screenings will be set up in iconic venues of the capital, such as the open space outside the Athens Book Space in Eleftherias Park, the square outside the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens and the parking lot of the City of Athens Lycabettus Theatre, for an exciting drive-in screening overlooking Christmas Athens.
Theatrical performances, exhibitions and guided tours
Embark on a journey of unique art and cultural experiences that are hosted in museums and cultural sites. Outside the Athens Book Space, immerse yourself in the theatrical narratives of “The Boy with the Strong Voice and the Carols” and “The Nutcracker”, which transport children to enchanting fantasy worlds. The children’s theatrical troupes of the Grava Creative Learning Center present the Christmas performance “A Night full of Wonders”, a spectacle that promises to captivate. The Maria Callas Museum offers guided tours combined with Christmas piano melodies on the third floor, a unique blend of history and music. At the City of Athens Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Aggeliki Chatzimichali”, a guided tour with interpretation into the Greek Sign Language promotes inclusion, making everyone feel welcome. The visual exhibition “Toy Stories” at the City of Athens Cultural Center “Melina” offers a fresh perspective on our relationship with toys through the works of artists and children. And at the Neos Kosmos Creative Learning Center, the exhibition “Aesthetic Color Palettes – Recycling and Applied Arts” brings recycling and creativity to the forefront, inspiring all who visit..
December 21, the longest night of the year
On December 21, from the afternoon until late at night, Athens will celebrate the winter solstice with ten different events featuring popular artists. The Olympia City Music Theatre “Maria Callas” will host Giorgis Christodoulou for a live performance in a special collaboration with the Kosmos 93.6 radio station. Meanwhile, the women’s vocal ensemble Chóres will present a dynamic polyphonic program at the Syntagma Square Metro station.
In Agios Panteleimonas, the De Profundis Ensemble will perform works by leading classical music composers in a unique setting. On Ermou Street, there will be a piano recital, offering a musical experience in the heart of the city. Meanwhile, Protogenous Street will host an unforgettable event and exhibition featuring the Greek alternative scene with DJ sets.
At 6 Dragatsaniou Arcade, En Lefko 87.7 radio station organises a lively dance party. The event will feature famous DJs, known for their electrifying beats. Gyzi Square and Agios Andreas Square in Lambrini will also be buzzing with energy, as these locations will host famous DJs. Radio producers from Melodia 99.2 radio station will energise Fokionos Negri. Additionally, the Charitos pedestrian street will host the Athens Voice street party..
Christmas Eve, the Night of Wishes
The cherished tradition of the festive season is returning to Kotzia Square on Christmas Eve, and we invite you to join us in this heartwarming celebration. On December 24, we will come together to “light” up the city with our wishes,releasing biodegradable lanterns into the night sky during the “Night of Wishes.” It’s a beautiful opportunity to connect and share our hopes, surrounded by the joyful sounds of live music from the Athens 9.84 radio station van.
New Year’s Eve at Syntagma Square
Athens is set to welcome 2025 with a special festive event in Syntagma Square. On New Year’s Eve, Foivos Delivorias, Natassa Bofiliou, Thanasis Alevras, and Martha Frintzila, along with a large orchestra, dancers, and young singers, will present a live musical and theatrical performance that highlights the history of Athens from 1945 to 2025. The performance will feature songs, dances, screenings, and humorous dialogues, while the evening will begin with festive melodies performed by the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra.
Admission in the majority of the events is free.
Find the detailed program of events at the link below: https://cultureisathens.gr/xristougenna-stin-athina-2024
Find photos from the upcoming festive events at the following link:
We warmly thank ZeniΘ for its generous contribution to the green energy we use to uniquely decorate Syntagma Square and change Ermou Street for the holidays, as well as the Hotel Grande Bretagne for the impressive Christmas tree of the city in Syntagma Square. With the support of DIMAND Real Estate Development, Omonia Square becomes festive and its fountain “dances” to Christmas rhythms. FOTODIASTASI – FDS illumination fills the Serafio City of Athens with bright ornaments, while Season Decorations uses its magic touch to make the National Garden festive, creating an exceptional joyful experience.