Celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Greece

Is like finding yourself in an expressionist work of art

Decorated Christmas trees, shiny bright ornaments, and small Christmas ships decked with blue and white lights harmonious bells and children’s carols echo through our cities and villages.

Traditional culinary delights symbolize good luck in the New Year and adorn our white-clothed tables. In this mosaic of Christmas sensations, holiday experiences are rendered even more colorful by the deep blue of our seas, the green forest of our mountains, the red coral of our sunsets, and the rich violet of our night sky.

In the midst of the mild Athenian winter, immerse yourself in open-air celebrations: free concerts in Sýntagma Square, and dancing in the ouzeries and tavernas in Pláka and Psiri; light up your nights with all kinds of traditional music like rembétika (urban music), laiká (mainstream popular music) and jazz/blues/rock shows; shop your heart out in Ermou, Monastiráki, or Kolonáki listening to the music played by the street musicians; or just stroll around archaeological sites and relax relishing a fine meal outdoors.

Santa and his reindeer will be waiting for children to pose with for photos; cheeky hobgoblins will guide them through Earth’s Christmas forest, while a visit to the zoo will fill the whole family with excitement!