Spend Christmas in Athens 2024 | Christmas Carnivals, Light Displays, Winter Wonderlands, and More!

7. Attend a show at the Christmas theatre

Many Christmas special shows including plays, concerts, ballet performances, etc. take place at various indoor and outdoor venues across Athens. While some of these events may be free, others require you to buy your ticket before seats run out.

Some of the most popular Christmas shows in Athens are:

• Swinging Christmas With Ella And Frank! Featuring Steve Romanos & Jenny Kapadai, Olympia Munipicial Music Theatre “Maria Callas” | Find on map
• Kritikopoula - the swan song of Spyros Samaras Opera, Olympia Munipicial Music Theatre “Maria Callas” | Find on map
• Once Upon A Time Concert - a tribute to the ‘Archangel of Crete’ by Stavros Xarchakos, Christmas Theatre at Galatsi Olympic Hall | Find on map
• The Twelve Days of Christmas Choir, Olympia Munipicial Music Theatre “Maria Callas” | Find on map

8. Indulge in Greek festive food

Streets in Athens are fragrant around the festive season with the mouth-watering scents of Greek festive food, consisting of different kinds of bread, biscuits, and sweets. The distinct taste of each of these delicacies would surely make you want to try them all.

Some of the must-try Greek festive food are:

• Melomakarona – soft cookies dipped in honey syrup and covered with chopped walnuts
• Kourabiedes – vanilla almond cookies covered in powdered sugar
• Diples – a fried snack made from folded dough, drizzled with honey syrup, cinnamon, and chopped nuts
• Christopsomo (Bread of the Christ) – a special bread decorated with a cross on top, made on Christmas Day

9. Celebrate Saint Nicholas Day

Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on the 6th of December every year, marking the beginning of the holiday season in Greece. All major Christmas festivities start on this day and go on till the Day of Epiphany, observed on the 6th of January.

Here’s how Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated in Athens:

• Decorated boats (Karavaki) are kept on display at all main squares.
• Special ceremonies and prayers are held in churches.
• Children go around the neighborhood singing Christmas carols in exchange for treats.
• People eat a traditional dish of fried cod with garlic sauce.

10. Go skiing on the mountains

Skiing is one of the best things to do during a snowy Christmas season in Athens. Head to the ski resorts to have a memorable holiday experience as the mountains get covered in sheets of white.

Book your slot for skiing at these popular centers:

• Parnassos Ski Resort | Find on map
• Kalavrita Ski Center | Find on map
• Velouchi Ski Centre | Find on map
• Ziria Athletic Ski Resort | Find on map

11. Visit archaeological sites

The holiday season is the best time to visit historic monuments and archaeological sites in Athens owing to the fewer crowds. Moreover, the entry tickets to these tourist attractions are reduced to half during this time of the year.

The must-visit archaeological sites in Athens are:

• Acropolis and Parthenon
• Temple of Olympian Zeus
• Hadrian’s Library
• Temple of Poseidon & Cape Sounion

12. Explore the museums in Athens

This festive season, visit any of the museums in Athens amidst half the usual crowds, at half the usual ticket price! Take your own time exploring the various exhibits and artifacts with a free downloadable audioguide.

Here are some of the important museums to visit in Athens:

• National Archaeological Museum
• Acropolis Museum
• National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens | Find on map
• Goulandris Museum | Find on map

13. Join the Athens Santa Run

In early December, Athens hosts a special a festive run featuring a Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Kids Dash, where hundreds of locals and visitors dressed as Santa Claus run through the city center’s usually busy streets. Whether you join the crowd or cheer from the sidelines, this is a fun and festive way to celebrate Christmas in Athens.

Why visit?

• Every participant gets a Santa hat, beard, and a finisher medal to jingle in style. Enjoy holiday music, candy stations, and seasonal treats, then stick around for the after-party with snacks, music, and photos with Santa!
• Perfect for all ages, the Santa Hustle supports local charities, so dress up, bring friends, and celebrate the season together!
• Athens’ Ultimate Santa Hustle | Find on Map

14. Experience Kalanda: Traditional Greek Carols

One of Greece’s most charming Christmas traditions unfolds on December 24, 31, and January 6, when children gather to knock on their neighbors’ doors, asking, “Shall we sing it?” (“Na ta poume?”). They then sing carols and are rewarded with pocket money or sweets. 

Here’s how you can experience Kalanda:

If you spend some time in the shops, bars, and patisseries across the city, chances are you’ll come across groups of kids and adults spreading festive cheer by singing carols just for fun.