Tip of the day 1/12/2022 – Athens on Christmas mood!

• December 1, 2022

38 days, 129 neighborhoods, 10 Christmas villages, 120+ activities for the whole family, 30+ musical performances, Omonoia Christmas Market, a two-day event for children at Kypseli Municipal Market, parties all over the city and festive surprises.

The decoration of the city of Athens will be completed today, Thursday 1 December, during the lighting of the Christmas tree in Syntagma Square. Against the effects of the energy crisis, the Athens Municipal Authority, having already replaced the entire Christmas lighting of the city with LED in the two previous years, manages to ensure Christmas without any “discounts” in glow and light. The savings achieved are as high as 80% compared to previous years.

Bright streets from the neighbourhoods to the centre
A total of 120 km, -more by 15,000 meters than last year- will be the length of the Christmas lights already lit in the city’s neighborhoods by the Municipality of Athens. Trees and structures will decorate 35 squares in all seven municipalities, while the image of Athens will be completed by aerial and scientific decorative structures – a total of 6,000 in number. In addition, street columns are decorated with light tubes with a length of 60 km.

The 21-metre tall fir tree from Karpenisi – Illumination
The illumination of Athens will culminate with the lighting of the tree on 1 December at 19.15 in Syntagma Square. This year, this celebration will have an international character, as mayors from all over the world will join the Mayor of Athens in the lighting of the tree, sending together a strong message of peace, unity and solidarity between peoples. It is noted that the tree, which this year again “travelled” to Athens from Karpenisi, is lit by 40,000 candles, 5 km long and decorated with hundreds of balls and ornaments.

Festive atmosphere in the city
From December 1 and for more than a month, Athenians, Athenians and visitors to the city will have the opportunity to live festive experiences in every part of the city. In the centre and in the neighbourhoods, the programme of events designed for young and old alike and curated by the Culture, Sports & Youth Organization of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA), Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, This is Athens and the city’s radio station Athens 9. 84, will include -among other things- activities for the whole family, musical performances, “Christmas villages”, parties, impressive shows, an original Christmas Market at Omonia Square, as well as many festive surprises.

Musical event on the evening of the lighting of the Constitution
Those who, on Thursday evening, will attend the lighting of the tree at Syntagma, will at the same time experience a beautiful musical experience in the most central point of the city.

Ten “Christmas villages” in the neighbourhoods
From 23 December to 6 January, the neighbourhoods of Athens, from Acharnon and Lambrini to Pagrati and Ellinoroson, will be transformed into “Christmas villages”. This year, two more are being added to the neighbourhoods of Athens. Santa Claus and his elves will be in their places every day to welcome young and old with crafts, treats, face-painting and many more festive interactive experiences. The events will be accompanied by stilt walkers, jugglers, Christmas mascots, animateurs, puppets and magicians, among others.

Omonoia Christmas Market
From 17 December to 5 January, the spirit of the holidays is also spreading to Omonoia Square. The Omonoia Christmas Market, the capital’s new commercial and entertainment institution, fills the historic square with glamour, offering Christmas delicacies, selected gifts and plenty of fun for young and old alike through a series of special events. Those who visit the square on those days will have the opportunity to taste savoury and sweet delicacies from specially designed stands, do their shopping and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in the heart of the square.

So, maybe Athens this year turns into a christmas destination, similar to other European countries. Book a ticket and visit it to realise by your own eyes and have your own experience.