LIGHT INSTALLATIONS FESTIVAL
BioLumina: Light as living energy
29.11.2025-07.01.2026, 17:00-00:00
The Stavros Niarchos Park is transformed into an imaginative ecosystem of light and sound. Luminous butterflies, floating dandelions, a gigantic bird, a whale, and a polar star compose an immersive journey where art, nature, and technology meet within the light.
Bird Passing By Luminariste (FR)
Great Lawn Light Art Collection (NL)
Bird Passing By is a monumental sculpture, of a giant magical bird that emerges in the night, with several stories in its wake. Faced with the alarming disappearance of bird populations, and which our contemporary views often forget to take into consideration, we install a giant bird in the urban space, to encourage us to look up at the sky. The artwork is an installation made up of sixty-four sculptures of birds whose flight was captured at different phases, inspired by the research of Etienne-Jules Marey, Clément Ader and the zootropic movement. It is an artistic conception of motion, illuminated and enhanced with sound, that transforms the passage of a bird into a story in light.
Polaris
Jun Ong (MY)
Water Jets
Light Art Collection (NL)
Polaris, also known as the North Star, has been a vital navigational reference for centuries, aiding travellers in finding their way. Mavements of stars have often dictated agricultural seasons, religious festivals, and significant happenings with rituals aligned with astronomical events. In this installation, the star has been plucked from the heavens and landed on earth, shining bright like a beacon in the urban space. No matter where you admire it from, the experience is always one you want to share, in real life, or online.
Light A Wish
OGE Group (IL) Dome
Light Art Collection (NL)
Make a wish before you blow the fluff from a dandelion into the air-everyone knows this gome. OGE Group’s Light a Wish visu-alizes the moment the seeds disperse in the air, taking your wish with them into the world. The enlarged, fuzzy seeds-of which there are 10 in total and measure 2 meters in height-dangle carefully in the air and glow in a way that makes it look as though they are breathing. The artists visualize the good intentions that we quietly release and (hopefully) encounter again in the future. In this way the illuminated dandelion puffballs are carriers of our deepest desires and dreams.
On the Wings of Freedom
Aether & Hemera (IT)
Green Roofs Light Art Collection (NL)
A group of radiant butterflies, that hovers with hundreds at a time in a flight upwards. On the Wings of Freedom is about the impressive way technology changes us as a society and how little we think about it. The butterflies symbolize the transformation of our city and are also an advice from the artists: keep that change going. It is said that one butterfly can cause a storm. Let’s hope that all these butterflies together create a hurricane of light and creativity.
Whale Galaxy
Vangelis Xenodochidis (GR)
Mediterranean Garden
Inspired by bioluminescence and the mysterious life of the deep sea, Whale Galaxy merges buoyancy and suspension, glow and reflection, creating a luminous experience balanced between sea and universe. Suspended within the Mediterranean Garden through a specially designed structure, the radiant “whale” un-folds like a galactic mass above visitors, who move beneath it as though diving into an underwater dream. Whale Galaxy transforms darkness into a field of imagination and wonder-a play-ful yet enigmatic encounter with light and with the very idea of the unknown.
Pompe [Procession]
Eleni Maragaki & George Nikas (GR)
Park Entrance
A field of more than 100 LED columns of different typologies welcomes visitors who enter Stavros Niarchos Park from the diagonal path leading to the Great Lawn. The work aims to create a visual event, in which visitors get to actively participate, forming part of a silent, luminous path towards uplift. The columns of light evoke the human figure in the context of a ritual, while the straight, absolute alignment and steep incline of the path intensify this feeling. Pompe is being exhibited for the third time at the SNFCC following its debut in December 2022, when it was selected through an open call process.
THE SNFCC ICE RINK
29.11.2025-07.01.2026, 10:00-22:00
Canal
On the northern bank of the Canol, skaters of every level are invited to twirl across the ice to festive melodies, beneath the glittering glow of the SNFCC and the Dancing Fountains Free admission with pre-registration.
ICE SHOWS 12.12 & 19.12.2025, 20:30
Athletes from the Hellenic Winter Sports Federation will be performing impressive figure skating shows on the SNFCC Ice Rink.
360° POP-UP BAR
21.12.2025-07.01.2026, 17:00-23:00
Lighthouse
With panoramic views stretching from the Saronic Gulf to the Acropolis, the 360° Pop-Up Bar welcomes guests with delicious, festive METAXA cocktails, while the city’s favorite Dis set the tone with their signature sounds. From soulful grooves and upbeat pop to funk, house, and retro selections, the Lighthouse Terrace comes alive with rhythm, smiles, and the brightest winter vibes.
MAKERS’ MARKET
13.12.2025-07.01.2026
Pine Grove
At the SNFCC, the holidays are an opportunity to support lo-cal creativity and discover small producers who are redefining handmade craftsmanship with a contemporary touch. With stalls, activities, workshops, music, and creative experiences, the Stavros Niarchos Park transforms into an open space for connection, inspiration, and collaboration.
PARK YOUR CINEMA: CHRISTMAS EDITION
22.12.2025-06.01.2026, 18:00
Park Kiosk
The beloved series of film screenings retums for a special Christ-mas edition, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki International Film Festival. Visitors gather at the Park Kiosk to enjoy classic and favorite holiday movies for the whole family.
DANCING FOUNTAINS AT THE CANAL
Canal
Everyday the Dancing Fountains at the Canal present captivating choreographies to popular Christmas melodies!
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT SNFCC
On December 31, we dress up for the occasion and welcome the new year with spectacular fireworks, live music, a big DJ party, the first race of the year, SNF RUN: 2026 FIRST RUN, and ice skating late into the night!
MORE CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCES FOR ALL
The SNFCC Christmas World features workshops in collaboration with the Hellenic Children’s Museum, daily pop-ups at the Agora, festive sports programs, and a series of vibrant musical and educational activities curated by the SNFCC Youth Council.
Letter to Santa – Certain things never get old! There’s nothing quite like the sheer joy and sweet excitement of slipping one’s letter into the mailbox and the magic of receiving a reply. Look for the red mailbox, post your letter and Santa’s helpers will make sure it gets delivered. This initiative is carried out in cooperation with the Hellenic Post (ELTA).
Create Your Own Card – Use the stamps, design your own artwork, and take home a unique creation from the SNFCC Christ-mas World!
CHRISTMAS FLAVORS
This holiday season, scented Christmas cookies and cupcakes, delicious melomakarona and panettone, crepes and waffles, hot chocolate and wine, cocktails, soups and many more festive treats await visitors at the SNFCC’s food and beverage locations.
SNFCC STORE
Explore the SNFCC Store for unique Christmas gifts, with a rotating selection of decorative, functional, and festive items for everyone.
SNFCC MEMBERS
Looking for the perfect festive gift? With an SNFCC Membership, your loved ones can enjoy a carefully curated program of activities, along with exclusive benefits and discounts!
SNFCC Members enjoy a 10% discount at the SNFCC’s food and beverage outlets and at the SNFCC Store upon presenting a valid membership card.
FREE ADMISSION
Opening hours (Stavros Niarchos Park & Lighthouse): Mon- Sun 6am-12am