A guide to Athens Christmas events 2024. You can find Christmas activities for children, Athens Christmas markets, Christmas parties, street parties and a lot more happening in Athens for Christmas 2024!
Athens Christmas 2024 and New Year’s Eve celebrations
With Christmas around the corner, Athens Christmas events 2024 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 2024 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 11th 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 children will meet elves, reindeer, and Santa Claus – or, as we call him in Greek, Agios Vassilis.
The Christmas Factory is located inside the Technopolis venue, right next to Kerameikos metro, until Saturday 6 January.
For more info, you can check this link (in Greek).
Night of the wishes @ Kotzia Square
On Tuesday 24 December, at 18:00, Kotzia Square will be lit with colourful 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 (read my “taxis in Athens” guide first). 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!
For more information on activities in the Niarchos Center, and how to get there, have a look at their website.
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. There is 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 until 3 January 2025. You can check their website (in Greek only) to find out about all their daily activities.
Athens Christmas Markets 2024
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 small selection:
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 December: SPAZ Christmas Bazaar @ Glyfada
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 December: Creative Market / Made by hand @ OSY depot, Kerameikos
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 December: Athens College Christmas Bazaar @ Psychiko
Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 & Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 December: Cat Rescue Athens Christmas Bazaar @ Acropolis – Koukaki
Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 December: KAZ Christmas Bazaar @ Evangelismos
Friday 13 – Sunday 22 December: The Meet Market @ OSY depot, Kerameikos
As always, shops in Athens will have extended shopping hours for Christmas 2024.
Christmas Performances in Athens 2024
There will be several children’s theatrical performances in Athens for Christmas 2024, most of which are in Greek. You can check more.com for detailed information.
For some pre-Christmas fun, have a look at the Athens English Comedy Club @ Eliart theater, Votanikos, on Sunday 8 December.
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 2024
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 2024:
Sunday 8 December: Concert at the Evangelical church @ Syntagma
Friday 13 December: Christmas Concert @ Catholic Cathedral of St. Dionysius the Aeropagite, Kolonaki
Sunday 15 December: Christmas Singalong @ St Paul’s Anglican church, Syntagma
Athens Christmas Street Music 2024
Apart from the various ticketed music events in Athens, there will also be several street events and performances.
On December 21, the Longest Night of the Year, there will be various street performances and happenings all around the city.
This year, there will be live performances at Syntagma Square on the following dates:
- 24 December, 19:30
- 25 December, 11:00, 13:30, 19:30
- 26 December, 13:30
- 27 December, 17:30, 19:30
- 31 December, 22:00
You can find more information (in Greek) at the Municipality of Athens’ official website.
Christmas Parties in Athens 2024
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 2024:
Saturday 7 December: Eight pubs of Christmas @ James Joyce, Monastiraki
Friday 20 December: Christmas party @ 33 Strofes
Tuesday 24 December: The Speakeasies Swing Band @ Stavros tou Notou
Wednesday 25 December: The Ultimate Vegan Christmas @ Kallithea
Wednesday 25 December: The Athens Christmas Ball event @ Architektoniki
Wednesday 25 December: Dubwise Hi-Fi 2024 Christmas Special @ AN Club
Athens NYE Events 2024
Here are some of the biggest events in Athens for New Year’s Eve this year:
Welcome 2025 @ Syntagma Square
Like every year, the city of Athens will welcome the New Year at Syntagma Square, with live music starting at 22:00 and the usual fireworks welcoming the New Year.
NYE @ Stavros Niarchos Foundation
Another option for NYE in Athens, is a lively party at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in Kallithea. Ian Stratis, a multi-talented singer / musician / performer, will put up a unique performance.
The evening will continue with DJs, and the Santa Run. Expect lots of dancing and a merry atmosphere.
For more info, check the Niarchos Foundation website.
Christmas in Athens 2024
So, this was a 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 me on my social media:
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