Christmas in Athens!
By Kelly Fanarioti
Athens kicked off the holiday season on 28 November with a dazzling Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Syntagma Square, across from the parliament building. The 20-meter fir tree which came from Taxiarhis, Halkidiki is dressed with 20,000 LED lights and decorated from recycled plastic to symbolize sustainability.Athens Mayor Haris Doukas illuminated the Christmas tree during an event featuring Christmas melodies performed by Nefeli Fasouli and the Athens Big Band.The festive events of the municipality of Athens that will last until the beginning of 2025 include open-air screenings and drive-in cinemas in the most beautiful parts of the city, concerts and performances in squares, streets, museums, theatres and cultural centers of the municipality.
“I wish this Christmas to be full of light, joy, health and solidarity. May we have a wonderful time with our loved ones and help those in need as much as we can. Our thoughts are with the Greeks living abroad and we look forward to welcoming them all year round to experience the magic, hospitality and experiences of our city. Athens is a big hug for everyone. Happy Birthday to all the world!”, the Mayor Haris Doukas told to NEO magazine.
Christmas Market
The Christmas atmosphere is not limited to the streets around Syntagma Square. Residents and visitors alike flock daily to the Christmas village that has been set up on the Pedion Areos, the city’s largest park. An ice rink, carousel, elves and Santas have transformed the park into a fairytale setting that attracts thousands of children and adults every day. From 10.00 in the morning until 22.00 every day and on public holidays, with free entrance, the open-air stands offer Christmas decorations, books, handmade jewellery, gifts, glassware, perfumes, clothes for the whole family, shoes, overalls and sweatshirts, linen and curtains, small tools, telephones and food such as cheese, sausages, legumes and pasta from Greek producers. There is also the traditional sweet melomakarona and kourabiedes, the halva of Farsala and many other sweets.
“Our Christmas Village will become Attica’s signature holiday landmark,” said Attica Governor Nikos Hardalias at a press conference on Thursday, December 5th.
It is worth mentioning that this year, for the first time, the celebrations for the change of the year will take place in two places in Athens, in Syntagma Square and in Pedion to Areos. The festive program on both occasions will include concerts with well-known singers and bands.
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