A guide to Athens Christmas events 2023. You can find Christmas activities for children, Athens Christmas markets, Christmas parties, street parties and a lot more happening in Athens for Christmas 2023!
Athens Christmas 2023 and New Year’s Eve celebrations
With Christmas around the corner, Athens Christmas events 2023 will soon be in full swing! This year, the city is more festive than ever. There are light installations everywhere in central Athens, and lots of Christmas markets and parties will be happening over the next few weeks.
Although Athens is not a traditional Christmas destination, its mild climate and street party culture guarantee a fantastic time. Whether you are visiting with your family, friends, significant other or solo, you will have a blast in the vibrant Greek capital.
So, here is what to expect if you are spending Christmas 2023 and New Year’s Eve in Athens Greece.
Athens Christmas events for children and the whole family
Christmas is a holiday meant to be celebrated with family, and it’s no secret that Greeks love children. So, here are some Athens Christmas events to celebrate with your children!
The Christmas Factory @ Technopolis, Kerameikos
The Christmas Factory is one of the largest Christmas parks in Athens for children. This year, it celebrates its 10th birthday!
There will be a fun fair, ice skating, music, dances, fairy tales, face painting, hundreds of presents for all children, and a theatrical show (in Greek). Your family will be able to meet elves, reindeer, and Santa Claus – or, as we call him in Greek, Agios Vassilis.
The Christmas Factory is running inside the Technopolis venue, right next to Kerameikos metro, until Saturday 6 January. Entrance prices vary.
For more info, you can check this link and this link (in Greek).
Night of the wishes @ Kotzia Square
On Sunday 24 December, at 18:00, Kotzia Square will be lit with all sorts of lanterns! This festive event has been happening for a few years now and it’s always well attended and lots of fun for kids and not only.
Afterwards, you can pass by the Little Kook cafe, which will be in full Christmas mode!
Athens Christmas events @ the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNFCC)
If you are happy to venture out of central Athens, one of the best places to go is the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, also known as SNFCC or SNF.
This unique complex is located in the municipality of Kallithea, close to Faliro. You can reach it by public transportation or taxi, and they also have their dedicated shuttle bus departing from Syntagma Square.
Expect beautiful light installations, an ice-skating ring, and a merry and festive atmosphere! Their website is in English, so you can have a look for all activities.
Christmas events for children in Athens @ The Ellinikon Experience Park
Another great place for all the family outside central Athens is the Ellinikon Experience Park. Expect a carousel, workshops, gifts, lighting installations and many surprises for all children!
The Ellinikon Park is only a short walk away from Ellinikon metro station, on the red Athens metro line. Alternatively, you can reach it by taxi.
You can find more info on their website.
Santa Claus Kingdom @ Mediterranean Exhibition Center
For more family-oriented Christmas fun, check out the Santa Claus Kingdom at the outskirts of Athens, at the Mediterranean Exhibition Center (MEC) in Paiania.
Apart from a Christmas carousel and the ice-skating ring, you can find several activities such as roller coasters, trampolines, pony horses, a Christmas train and the Christmas Express. There will also be shows and other events.
The Santa Claus Kingdom will be open from 2 December 2023 to 5 January 2024. You can check their website (in Greek only) to find out about all their daily activities.
Athens Christmas Markets 2023
This year, there will be dozens of Christmas Markets in Athens! Some of them will happen on certain weekends, while others will take place throughout the Christmas period.
Here is a selection. I’ve included links to the events, plus the area where they are happening:
Monday 4 – Saturday 9 December: Christmas Vintage Bazaar @ Exarhia
Thursday 7 – Friday 8 December: Vintage Athens Sale @ Monastiraki
Friday 8 – Saturday 9 December: The Pop-Up Project @ Kifissia
Friday 8 – Sunday 17 December: The Meet Market – 10 days of Christmas @ Kerameikos
Saturday 9 December: Christmas Bazaar by Athens Scouts @ Thissio
Saturday 9 December: Christmas Bazaar by Save the Tails @ Petroupoli
Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 December: Cosy Christmas Bazaar @ Kypseli
Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 December: Cat Rescue Athens Christmas Bazaar @ Acropolis – Koukaki
Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 / Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 December: The Scout Christmas Market @ Acropolis – Koukaki
Sunday 10 December: Christmas Bazaar @ Cholargos
Sunday 10 December: Christmas Scout Bazaar @ Papagou
Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 December: Christmas KAZ Stray Animals Bazaar @ Evangelismos
Sunday 17 December: Christmas Bazaar Exarhia Strays @ Exarhia
Monday 18 – Wednesday 20 December: Straycare Market Edition @ Kypseli Municipal Market
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 December: Thrifticon @ Kerameikos
As for normal shops, they will have extended shopping hours for Christmas 2023.
Christmas Performances in Athens 2023
There will be several theatrical performances in Athens for Christmas 2023! Here are a couple that are worth considering:
21 December 2023 – 7 January 2024: Scrooge and Ghosts and Rock’n’Roll @ Christmas Theater, Galatsi
Sunday 24 December: Athens English Comedy Club – Christmas Edition @ Metaxourgio
Also, check out the Athens Megaron, a venue which puts up some of the best shows in the Greek capital. Make sure to book your tickets early, as the Athens Christmas performances often sell out.
Christmas Music Events Athens 2023
Of course, no celebrations are complete without lots and lots of music! Again, the first place you should check is the Athens Megaron. This is the best place to catch classical concerts, and see famous Greek musicians.
Apart from the Megaron, here is a small selection of Christmas Carols and Christmas music events in Athens for 2023:
Friday 8 – Sunday 10 December: Athens Celtic Festival @ Moshato
Wednesday 13 December: Christmas Charity Concert (see info below)
Saturday 16 December: Music at St Paul’s Anglican Church@ Syntagma
Friday 22 December: The Athens Singers at St Paul’s Anglican Church @ Syntagma
Athens Christmas Street Music 2023
Apart from the various ticketed music events in Athens, there are also several live performances, that are free to attend!
Unless otherwise stated, these are all happening right in the middle of Syntagma Square, and there are performances at 12:00 and 18:00 on many days during the Christmas period.
Here is some more information:
Wednesday 20 December, 12:00: George Zervos Trio
Wednesday 20 December, 18:00: Wedding Singers
Thursday 21 December, 12:00: Ηermaphrodite’s Child (a fab band playing 50s – 60s music)
Thursday 21 December, 12:00: Swinging Xmas with the Athens Big Band feat. Alex Affolter @ Dionyssiou Areopagitou Street
Thursday 21 December, 18:00: Live Greek music
Friday 22 December, 12:00: Dimitris Tsakas Quintet “Christmas Jazz Delight”
Friday 22 December, 18:00: Live Greek music
Saturday 23 December, 12:00: Gumbo Ya Ya ft. Sugahspank! & Emily Mesko “Spicy Christmas” (Funky and New Orleans music)
Saturday 23 December, 18:00: Live Greek music
Sunday 24 December, 12:00: Sub Quartet (Jazz music)
Sunday 24 December, 18:00: Live Greek music
Tuesday 26 December, 18:00: Jerome Kaluta – The Motown Edition
Wednesday 27 December, 12:00: Mihalis Kalkanis Group
Wednesday 27 December, 18:00: Christmas concert
Thursday 28 December, 12:00: The Jaguar Bombs (Fusion music)
Thursday 28 December, 18:00: Tonis Sfinos & The Playmates “Christmas Disco Party”
Christmas Parties in Athens 2023
Athens is definitely a city that knows how to party! Whether you are interested in drinks, socializing or dancing, Athens has you covered.
Here is a selection of Athens Christmas parties and events 2023:
Friday 8 December: Pre-Christmas Guinness party at the James Joyce @ Monastiraki
Saturday 9 December: Irish Christmas party @ Pangrati
Friday 15 December: Christmas drinks @ Monastiraki
Friday 15 December: The EPIC Christmas Party @ Petralona
Saturday 16 December: Christmas Street Party @ Victoria
Sunday 17 December: Christmas boogie party @ Fuzz Live Music Club
Sunday 17 December: GIS Christmas Lunch and Party @ Glyfada
Sunday 17 December: Merry Christmas Party @ Glyfada
Friday 22 December: Rock Christmas Party @ Ilissia
Friday 22 December: Athens Cocktails Party @ Kypseli Municipal Market
Friday 22 December: Diskokinissi 80s Christmas Party @ Disco Vinilio, Kerameikos
Saturday 23 December: Christmas celebration with live music @ Kerameikos
Saturday 23 December: Shiny Dimes Pre-Christmas Party @ Nea Ionia
Saturday 23 December: Schoolwave Rock-Metal Christmas Party @ AN Club, Exarhia
Sunday 24 December: Christmas Eve Dance Party @ Kypseli
Monday 25 December: Dubwise Hi-Fi Christmas Special @ AN Club, Exarhia
Athens NYE Events 2023
Last, but definitely not least, here are some of the biggest events in Athens for New Year’s Eve this year!
Welcome 2024 @ Syntagma Square
Like every year, the city of Athens will welcome the New Year at Syntagma Square, with live music starting at 22:00. Later on, there will be lots of fireworks so be prepared!
Street Outdoors Party @ Varvakios Market
The biggest NYE party in Athens will happen inside the Varvakios Food Market, the biggest food market in central Athens.
Starting at 23:00, famous Greek DJs and music producers will keep the party going until 5 am. This will be just in time to take the first metro to wherever you are staying – if you want to sleep, that is 🙂
NYE @ Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Another option for NYE in Athens, is a lively party at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Kallithea. A truly amazing singer, Idra Kayne, will put up a unique performance, and there will be tons of fireworks.
The evening will continue with none other than the famous Bill Brewster, straight from London! Expect lots of dancing and a merry atmosphere.
For more info, check the Niarchos Foundation website.
Christmas in Athens 2023
I hope you’ve enjoyed this selection of activities you can do in Athens this Christmas. If there are other activities you are aware of, let me know and I can add them to the list!
Also, note that 25-26 December and 1 January are public holidays. Ancient sites and museums will be closed on those days.
Finally, make sure to read this guide about Christmas in Greece, that provides some insight on Christmas traditions in Greece.
Also, have a look at these other articles with things to do in Athens:
Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens and I write guides about Athens and Greece. If you are celebrating Christmas in Athens this year, you will definitely find lots to do! Follow my FB page for more photos and news about Greece!