The most wonderful time of the year is here!
Bright lights are everywhere, music is all around, delicious desserts can be found in bakeries, corners, houses and many traditional and modern festivities run through the city. Are you ready to feel like a child again?
Magic is spread all over the city!
Would you like to know about Christmas bazaars? Or free events? Perhaps workshops for your children? And what about atmospheric cafes and restaurants that feel as from a fairytale? Athens has it all!
Syntagma square, which is considered to be the heart of Athens, is the centre of many festivities. Live music events, special workshops, various activities for kids, ethnic and traditional music nights aim to satisfy everyone and bring out the Christmas mood.
It’s also worth visiting the National Garden, making you feel like a child wondering around a Christmas fairytale.
Entertainment, games and activities, will make everyone- and especially the young visitors- happier than ever!
Gazi district, the alternative area of Athens, is home to Technopolis, one hip and happening venue of the city. Various cultural events take place here throughout the year and same holds even more true during this festive period! ‘Christmas Factory’ is the most famous festivity, which has become something like a tradition every December. Until January the 2nd, visitors will have the opportunity to experience multiple happenings and surprises. It’s also very important to know that Technopolis supports the charity institution for the kids ‘To Hamogelo tou Paidiou’.
Eugenides Foundation (established in 1956 in Athens) has the purpose of contributing to the education of young Greeks in technology and science through a creative way.
Maybe you have heard of Planetarium? A jewel of the science field, as it tries to popularize information about the achievements of science and technology.
Now and until January the 1st, Eugenides Foundation presents the amazing ‘Christmas Star’, a show that tries to answer in the simplest way the most common questions about how the three Magicians were led to baby Jesus. The ‘Christmas Star’ unfolds historic and scientific facts and through visual and musical show! Excitement fills children's hearts and minds.
The National Observatory of Athens, a research institute of the city, hosts various activities for kids and their parents, from December 18th until January 18th.
Many events, including workshops, archaeological games, surprises, music and taste experiences, are hosted by the amazing Acropolis Museum. At the same time, a number of festivities run in the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, which now, is decorated and prettier than ever!
Going south for a while, Marina Floisvou presents a plethora of events, namely presenting the ‘Magic underwater train’, which is inspired by the fairytale ‘Floisvos and the magic underwater train’. Furthermore, various Christmas activities run every weekend until January 1st; Santa Claus will be waiting all young and less young to have pictures together and send the letters of our little friends. And this is not the end! Be prepared for cooking and pastry classes, theatre, face painting, music workshops and stories narration.
Many and various happenings are realised in almost every Municipality of Athens. Festivities that will make us all forget the everyday routine and will bring us closer to the magic of Christmas!
Now, since the city is shiny and bright, the bars and the restaurants could not be out of this spirit.
The most fairytale café in the heart of Athens, ‘Noel’ becomes even more magical but be careful. You may meet a few elves while having a coffee or a drink 🙂
Likewise, the ‘Trap’, hidden in Stoa Othonos, Syntagma square, introduces the best cocktails, with the most atmospheric music.
Faust (Kalamiotou street) presents every year various musical performances, by interesting bands. The music can be described as soul, swing and jazz.
Make sure to check the websites of Half Note Jazz Club, Convento del Arte and Gazarte. These are popular musical scenes of Athens, known for the swing-jazz music. All year long, they present talented and well known bands or shows, in a retro and nostalgic atmosphere. Any event you choose to attend, it’s worth it, trust me! ROBYN BENNETT & BANG BANG and Jumpin’ Up of Half Note Jazz Club, the Milonga ‘La Sonrisa’ of Convento del Arte and Gadjo Dilo in Gazarte are just some of my suggestions for a totally Christmassy and happy night!
Finally, the ‘Black Duck’ (loannou Paparrigopoulou 5), apart from the creative food menu, hosts an interesting art bazaar.
Speaking of bazaars, there are numerous of them all over the city during the Christmas period. The one I am going to mention here is the one in Gazi (Keramikos Station, Orfeos 8) which supports by its earnings, children that face social difficulties.
The choices are unlimited. Athens offers so many things; Bazaars, theatre and music performances, atmospheric dining options.
Just wear your prettiest smile and enjoy!
Merry Christmas!
