The Municipality of Athens has organised a series of festive events so Christmas 2023 and the new year can be enjoyed in every corner of the Greek capital from December until 7 January.
These initiatives, beginning with the Christmas tree in Syntagma Square and the city centre's streets and neighbourhoods already lit up in the festive spirit, help Athens's rival cities in Northern Europe create a festive spirit.
There will be many events over the next few weeks because of the municipality’s Christmas events.
This year’s programme has been curated by the Municipality of Athens’ Organisation for Culture, Sport and Youth (OPANDA) and Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, in collaboration with This is Athens and Athens 9.84 radio.
Special attention is given to the initiatives of “Olympia, Municipal Music Theatre ‘Maria Callas'” and the new cultural venues of the Municipality of Athens, including Kypseli Municipal Market, Maria Callas Museum and Athens Book Space in the renovated Eleftherias Park.
Events include educational programmes and workshops for children and families, music galore in live concerts and parties, musical theatre performances, book launches and readings, book-inspired events and museum exhibitions, and ten “Christmas villages“, each offering unique festive surprises.
10 “Christmas Villages” Across the City
From 23 December 2023 to 6 January 2024, 10 “Christmas Villages” will be set up in 10 Athenian neighbourhoods to delight young and old with a wide range of activities. From Acharnes and Lambrini to Pangrati and Ellinoroson, Santa and his elves will transform some of Athens’ central neighbourhoods into villages of incredible joy and celebration, welcoming children of all ages with crafts, sweets, face painting and more. Stilt walkers, jugglers, Christmas mascots, animators, puppeteers and magicians are among the performers.
Christmas Music Fills the Air
Once again, Syntagma Square is dancing to the rhythm of Christmas. Over seven days, a total of 15 live concerts by local artists, groups and bands will take place on the central Christmas stage: George Zervos Trio, Wedding Singers, Hermaphrodites Child, Vasilis Kazoulis with Yellow Bicycles and Alexandra Koniak, Dimitris Tsakas Quintet, Polkar, Gumbo Ya Ya with Sugahspank! and Emily Mesko, Nefeli Fasouli, the Sub Quartet, Panos Vlahos, Jerome Kaluta, the Mihalis Kalkanis Group, the Christmas Gala with the voices of Maria Katripesi and Yiannis Housakos, the Jaguar Bombs and Tonis Sfinos & The Playmates.
This year, of course, parties are being thrown in the most unexpected places: The mobile party Needless transforms Justice Square (Santarosa) into a Christmas dancefloor, Kosmos Radio hosts a ‘Xmas party’ at the Kypseli Municipal Market dedicated to Schedia magazine, an initiative to help the city’s homeless, the Cool Crips prove that fun is for everyone with a wild party at Serafeio City of Athens, Pepper 96 transforms the Stoa of Merchants. 6, while on Christmas Day, & Beyond’s ‘Xmas Extravaganza’ fills the Kypseli Municipal Market with the dynamic beats of popular selectors and DJs.
During the festive days, the ATHINA 9.84 van will surprise the neighbourhoods of Athens with Christmas music and children’s choirs. The tour includes a stop at the Benaki Museum on Piraeus Avenue, where, on a special morning, she provides musical accompaniment to the educational activities surrounding the exhibition. From 20 to 28 December, in the heart of the festive season, it will fill Syntagma with its music. Especially on 20 December, the Municipal Radio will join forces with “Mazi Gia to Paidi” (Together for the Child). We are invited to participate in the Christmas radio marathon to support families and children in need.
Atmospheric “Night of Wishes” at Kotzia Square
The ‘Night of the Wishes’ has become a much-loved tradition on Christmas Eve. On the 24th of December, people of all ages will light up Kotzia Square with traditional biodegradable lanterns that will rise to the sky with wishes. On this magical Christmas night, the atmospheric melodies will come from the radio station ATHINA 9.84 van, which will provide the musical accompaniment to the event with a selection of songs by its radio producers.
Seeing in 2024 at Syntagma Square
The rendezvous will be moved to Syntagma Square on New Year's Eve. Hosted by the television duo of ERT’s “Studio 4”, Nancy Zampetoglou and Thanasis Anagnostopoulos, 2023 will be bid farewell with a unique audiovisual spectacle full of live music, dance, fireworks, brilliance and many surprises. The evening will be an optimistic and joyful celebration of 2024.
All-Night Party at Vavakios
The year's biggest and most distinctive New Year’s Eve party will again occur at the Varvakios Municipal Market on Athinas Street. Street Outdoors will await people at the city’s central market just before the New Year. Renowned DJs and producers will turn wishes into music, ensuring that 2024 finds everyone at the most exhilarating dance party in Athens, keeping the spirits high until the early morning.
READ MORE: Wonderful Christmas Traditions of Greece.
