NOTE: Since the writing of this article, the date has been postponed. The Christmas lights will now be opened during a ceremony on Tuesday, November 24, due to a union strike (ADEDY) taking place at Syntagma Square protesting foreclosures of primary homes. 

Athens Mayor George Kaminis has invited pop singer/Eurovision star Sakis Rouvas to bring Christmas to the center of Athens. The signal for the official illumination of Syntagma Square at the city center will be given at 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 19.

Music festivities, however, will kick off at 5.30 p.m. with different parts of the Athens Philharmonic section kicking off different concerts at National Resistance (formerly known as Kotzias) Square, Monastiraki Square (outside the metro) and Syntagma Square.

The highlight of the day, however, will be the 7 p.m. Big Band performance with teen idol Sakis. The star is dedicating his Christmas performance to the Paris Attacks and he’ll be accompanied by the Nea Smyrni Leonteion Lyceum children’s choir with Katerina Vasilakou at the podium.

At 8 p.m. DJs will continue the festive program until 10.30 p.m.