Once again this year, the Stavros Niarchos Park at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) transforms into one of the city’s most lively and popular Christmas destinations. Visitors can explore the Festival of Light Installations, which provides the perfect backdrop for festive photos; the Makers’ Market, offering a variety of handmade gift options; favorite films in the Park Your Cinema Christmas Edition; as well as creative workshops and DJ sets curated by the SNFCC Youth Council. With nature, light, and creativity at the forefront, Stavros Niarchos Park continues to be a highlight for holiday strolls in Athens.

Detailed Program

Festival of Light Installations
29 November 2025 – 7 January 2026 | 17:00 – 00:00
Stavros Niarchos Park, SNFCC
Free entry

This year, the Festival of Light Installations, a hallmark of the SNFCC Christmas World, draws inspiration from bioluminescence, the ability of certain living organisms to produce and emit light. Titled “BioLumina”, this year’s festival explores the deep relationship between nature, technology, and humanity, transforming Stavros Niarchos Park into a fantastical ecosystem of light and sound.

Featuring works by internationally recognized artists, as well as Greek creators selected through an open call by SNFCC, the festival invites visitors of all ages into a space where art becomes a dialogue between humans and light. Plants, animals, people, ideas, and emotions intertwine in an expansive network of connections, creating an experience that explores the synergy of nature and technology. Highlights include:

• Butterflies emerging on the Green Roofs (On the Wings of Freedom, Aether & Hemera)
• Dandelions floating in the Dome (Light a Wish, OGE Group)
• A luminous bird flying over the Clearing (Un Oiseau de Passage, Luminariste)
• A polar star reflected in the Water Fountains (Polaris, Jun Ong)
• A whale appearing in the Mediterranean Garden (Whale Galaxy, Vangelis Xenodochidis)

Returning this year is Procession by Eleni Maragaki and Giorgos Nikas, creating a landscape of LED light columns along the central pathway leading to the Clearing, starting at the intersection of Evripidou and Doiranis streets.

Curators:
Pam Toonen, Senior Curator, Amsterdam Light Festival
Gabriella Triantafylli, Director of Artistic Programming & Production, SNFCC

All light installations are accessible to people with disabilities.
More information: snfcc.org

Festival Sponsor: COSMOTE TELEKOM

Makers’ Market
Pefkonas, Stavros Niarchos Park
13 December 2025 – 7 January 2026 | 12:00 – 21:00
Free entry

From 13 December to 7 January, the Makers’ Market returns for the second consecutive year, transforming Pefkonas into a festive hub of creativity. Small businesses and young creators present original, handmade items, offering a more personal touch to holiday shopping. Creative activities, DJ sets, book readings, face painting, and other surprises complete the lively market set against the illuminated backdrop of the Park.

COSMOTE TELEKOM participates with its own booth, inviting visitors to experience the joy of creating through festive activities. Children and adults can “become Christmas elves,” creating their own paper ornaments to wear and enjoy a playful holiday adventure.

A wide selection of festive treats and a unique coffee experience at the JACOBS booth complete the festive atmosphere.

Market Sponsor: COSMOTE TELEKOM

Park Your Cinema: Christmas Edition
Park Kiosk, Stavros Niarchos Park
22 December 2025 – 6 January 2026 | 18:00
Free entry

From 22 December to 6 January, the popular Park Your Cinema film series returns in a Christmas edition. Visitors gather at 18:00 at the Park Kiosk to watch classic holiday films for the whole family. From the whimsical Edward Scissorhands and the satirical Scrooged, to the mischievous Home Alone 2 and the romantic Love Actually, each evening is a journey into the festive spirit. Even Die Hard becomes a holiday tradition!

Program Curator: Thessaloniki Film Festival

Screening Schedule:

• Mon 22 Dec 2025 | Edward Scissorhands
• Tue 23 Dec 2025 | Scrooged
• Wed 24 Dec 2025 | The Polar Express
• Thu 25 Dec 2025 | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
• Fri 26 Dec 2025 | Love Actually
• Sat 27 Dec 2025 | The Holiday
• Mon 29 Dec 2025 | Deck the Halls
• Tue 30 Dec 2025 | Hugo
• Thu 1 Jan 2026 | The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
• Fri 2 Jan 2026 | Die Hard
• Mon 5 Jan 2026 | Trading Places
• Tue 6 Jan 2026 | Frozen

All films have Greek subtitles, except The Polar Express and Frozen, which are dubbed in Greek.

SNFCC Youth Council Activities
Mediterranean Garden, Stavros Niarchos Park
Free entry

Throughout the holidays, the SNFCC Youth Council organizes dynamic music and educational activities in the Mediterranean Garden.

Talk Christmas to Me
28 December 2025 | 13:00 – 15:00

An interactive meeting exploring the meaning of the holidays today. Through theatrical exercises and collective activities, participants share personal memories, stories, and images, creating a shared narrative that connects past, present, and future.

Coordinator: Apostolis Psarros

Handmade Notebook Workshop

• Sun 14 Dec 2025 | 17:00 – 19:00
• Sun 4 Jan 2026 | 19:00 – 21:00

A bookbinding workshop where participants experiment with 3-hole pamphlet sewing to create a unique handmade notebook, exploring paper textures and bookbinding techniques.

Designed & Conducted by: Kostas Bountouris

Embroidery Workshop

• Sun 28 Dec 2025 | 17:00 – 19:00
• Sat 3 Jan 2026 | 19:00 – 21:00

Participants create Christmas ornaments with cross-stitch and practice the running stitch to embroider a wish for 2026 on a hoop, ideal as a small handmade gift.

Designed & Conducted by: Malvina Kokoraki (Malv Pineapple)
Assistant: Anastasia Voutsa

DJ Sets

• Sat 3 Jan 2026 | 19:00 – 22:00 | Cosmic sound corner by SNFCC Youth Council | Myrto
• Sun 4 Jan 2026 | 19:00 – 22:00 | Cosmic sound corner by SNFCC Youth Council | Christina KT

The SNFCC Youth Council designs and implements all activities thanks to the exclusive donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).