Athens is one of the major European cities which put on their good looks during Christmas and light up their streets with various events.
Shopping, small Christmas villages in the neighborhoods full of people, concerts, coming together in gatherings, and the sweet melancholy until the holy night feature this experience in the city.
If you choose to visit Athens around this time of the year, note that you get a busy, jolly, and bright idea of the downtown feel that will picture your memories due to the thematic events.
Original Christmas experience
In the house of religious history, the Byzantine and Christian Museum holds an educational program for children in the context of the permanent exhibition, the Christmas workshop at the Byzantine and Christian Museum coming this Sunday.
The urge is for children to create cards and ornaments which they can hang on the Christmas tree of the museum as a work of art and learn about the history of the Nativity of Christ in the Biblical ages. Participation is free, and adults can join too by making decorative papers. Register your place here.
Rock your holidays
Hard Rock Cafe throws large parties for the crowd and a gala for the New Year made of memorable souvenirs, strange cocktails, authentic food, glam-rock music style, and Christmassy vibes. Make your reservation here for the events.
Music hall mood
Let us see what is on! Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the main attraction and art core, always has an energetic program for its visitors.
Besides ice-skating, ballet performances, decorated parks, traditional festive sweets, and gluhwein treats in the kiosks, you can enjoy a Christmas Jazz Concert listening to famous tracks from movies. A youth organism will indulge you in the spirit on 19 December 2022 while you wait for the fireworks show on New Year’s Eve! Book here your interest.
A moment for children
If you opt for a family-friendly event, visit the Celebration of the 1st Panhellenic Fairy Tale Festival in the National Garden. Not just a great destination to view some of the greenery spots downtown but also a magical occasion for the kids.
There, you will all see and outlive a dreamy scenery apart from known characters like Cinderella, Snow White, the Seven Dwarfs, and the goblins of Christmas that will come to life in the park. Learn more about the upcoming event on 24 December here.
Christmas Village
Allou Fun Park builds a special place for young and old full of lights, festoon, adornments, elves, and fancy props with an ice rink on the way. Also, a list of free workshops for all, mulled wine, delicacies, or hot chocolate to taste, and Santa Klaus house to pay a visit to before joining the games.
Find toys, gifts, and charms to buy for your beloved ones on the kiosks of the Christmas market and pass by the Wishing Tree to leave your wish for the year. Juggling and trick shows will keep you company until the end of the holidays, and Christmas band sounds will impress you to the core.
Dance Celebration
Next week the 13th International Dance Film Festival (11-13 December) will take place in different locations in Athens. Video dance screenings, performances, and workshops for the artsy ones who want to learn a new language of movement deeply.
Find out how to book your entrance ticket to the screenings according to the program and video shows, or watch live performances by talented students at Athenian theatrical spaces.
Artistic hints
Another concert setting on 26 December, the second day of Christmas, is Monika singing live in urban Metaxourgeio Avdi square. Monika is an internationally acclaimed Greek singer who has participated in worldwide and local acts and will give a concert at a leafy meeting point.
Having performed in Herodes Atticus and an expert songwriter associating with pop, folk, blues, and indie sounds, she will highlight your after-Christmas evening.
Wish to make
The Night of Wishes is a spiritual dedication to hope for what we want this year to bring to us. Young and old will come together at Kotzia square with radio musical collections in the background.
A party is next, in front of Athens City Hall, preparing your mood while expecting Christmas time to arrive. Participation is free while checking the full activity time and location here.
Christmas time
Athens Metro Mall Live Stage holds a series of shows from December, day 1 to January. Concerts given by Greek pop culture idols and performers, family moments, lucky contests, shopping fever, and a magical world of sweets and fun will make you feel more than welcome in this departure paradise.
Kids can meet with Santa Claus and write a letter to him – a goblin team will paint their faces while being part of a decoration workshop and play games with elves. Keep up to date and see the program here.
Final expectation
The Big Band of Athens welcomes the audience of our city to attend the Swinging Christmas with Ella and Frank. Visitors and citizens who feel like listening to the golden age jazz and orchestra songs while getting into the Christmas spirit can come to the Olympia Municipal Music Theatre on pre-eve 23 December. See more by following this link.
The Choir of the Municipality of Athens will also be present on 27 December to greet you with worldwide songs and hymns in the context of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
The Women’s Vocal Ensemble CHÓRES will present traditional carols and Greek and international repertoire of well-known songs on 28 December Wednesday, at 11 am. The concert is organized in collaboration with the National Opera House and will happen in the Acropolis museum.
At that time of the year, Athens always throws ongoing events around. Church music sessions in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, music programs and creative activities in the Hellenic Children’s Museum, and the last day of 2022 in Syntagma square for a spectacular event expecting an after-party in Varvakeios to celebrate the New Year is a must.
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