In depth · Christmas & New Year
Christmas in Athens: markets, lights and traditions
Athens does Christmas with warmth rather than snow: a great tree on Syntagma Square, a Christmas park at Technopolis, lit-up shopping streets, honey-soaked melomakarona in every bakery and the old traditions of the boats and the carols.
Updated October 2026
The tree on Syntagma and the festive streets
The season begins when the city’s great Christmas tree is lit on Syntagma Square, opposite the Parliament, with music and celebrations (27 November in 2025). Through December the square, Ermou Street and the streets of the centre are strung with lights, and Metropolis Square around the cathedral is beautifully decorated.
The Christmas Factory at Technopolis
The old gasworks at Technopolis in Gazi becomes the Christmas Factory every winter: a festive park of lights, stalls, shows and activities for children. In 2025 it ran from 22 November to 6 January, with longer opening hours in the school holidays. It is ticketed and very popular, so go on a weekday if you can.
Greek Christmas traditions
Greece has its own way of celebrating. Alongside the Christmas tree, many families decorate a little boat, the karavaki, a reminder of a seafaring nation. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, children go from door to door singing the kalanta, the carols, with triangles. The bakeries fill with melomakarona, honey and walnut cookies, and kourabiedes dusted with icing sugar.
On New Year’s Day, families cut the vasilopita, a cake with a hidden coin that brings luck to whoever finds it.
New Year and Epiphany
New Year’s Eve is celebrated with fireworks over the Acropolis and concerts in the city. On 6 January, Epiphany, priests bless the waters by throwing a cross into the sea, and young swimmers dive to retrieve it; the ceremony at Piraeus is one of the best known near Athens.
Questions and answers
When is the Christmas tree lit in Athens?
At the end of November, on Syntagma Square. In 2025 the lighting was on 27 November.
What is the Christmas Factory?
A festive park for families at Technopolis in Gazi, open from late November to early January, with lights, stalls, shows and activities. It is ticketed.
What is the weather like at Christmas in Athens?
Mild, usually around 10–15°C by day, with occasional rain.
Join the conversation
Spent Christmas in Athens? Share your favourite market, event or tradition.
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Dates for 2026 are announced in the autumn; where they are not yet confirmed we give last year’s dates. Check the official sites before you travel.