Are you planning to spend Christmas and New Year in Greece?

In this text, you will find information about the celebration of Christmas and New Year in Athens and Thessaloniki, what is open from shops and shopping centers during the holidays, and how to have the most enjoyable time.

Greeks celebrate Christmas according to the revised old calendar - the so-called Milanković’s 25.12.

We have written about the fact that New Year’s Eve in Greece is not as emphasized as it is with us, and that traditionally midnight is celebrated within the family circle. A much more significant event and holiday than New Year’s in Greece is the Orthodox, religious holiday of Christmas. However, major cities in Greece such as Athens and Thessaloniki are full of tourists and are certainly a good choice to visit during New Year and Christmas.

If you are planning to visit Thessaloniki and Athens during the New Year and Christmas holidays, here are a few tips.

Holidays in Greece

  • On 25th and 26th of December, shops and shopping centers are closed.
  • January 1st is a non-working day.

Working Sundays

Before Christmas and before New Year, shops will be open on Sundays as well:

  • December 15th,
  • December 22nd, and
  • December 29th.

Some restaurants and cafes are open on Christmas Day and the next day, but not all, especially not on Christmas Day itself. On January 1st, in the center of Thessaloniki, some bakeries, cafes, and restaurants will be open. The second day of New Year is a working day, and everything will operate normally throughout Greece.

When to visit Thessaloniki or Athens?

The ideal time to visit Thessaloniki and Athens is the period before Christmas itself, as about ten days before Christmas the cities are full of tourists, as well as restaurants, cafes, and squares - and everything is lively and with a good atmosphere. On the day of the holiday itself, things calm down a bit, there aren’t as many people on the streets because the shops are closed, and you can spend those two days just strolling by the sea, which isn’t bad, but the liveliness in the city that Thessaloniki and Athens are known for is definitely missing. New Year is celebrated within Greek families as part of the family and with some traditional customs we have written about, New Year and Vasilopita. After midnight, Greeks go out to cafes and into town.

In recent years, cities like Thessaloniki and Athens have been visited by a large number of tourists, so the streets and squares are full even on New Year’s Eve. Usually, a fireworks display (not too spectacular) and a few concerts are organized in the main squares, and then you can go to a cafe or club. It is not usually necessary to book places in cafes and restaurants in advance, but it is recommended to settle in one of them before midnight while there are still fewer people. Near Thessaloniki and Athens, there are winter resorts you can visit, and you can find out more about them in our text Which places to visit in Greece during winter?

New Year and Christmas in Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is simply magical during the New Year holidays, as Greeks traditionally celebrate the New Year on the streets. The atmosphere that started during Christmas continues into the “wildest” night. Therefore, we believe that this unique experience should definitely be experienced.

On Aristotle Square, the traditional New Year’s Eve is celebrated in front of the central Christmas tree, with a music program for all tastes, as well as in all the side streets (in the wider center, in front of many cafes, taverns, restaurants). At midnight, a spectacular fireworks display is expected over the Thermaic Gulf.

Suggestions for lesser-known “corners” where you can spend lovely New Year’s or Christmas holidays in Thessaloniki

There are a few key neighborhoods in the city center that you can visit during the New Year holidays in Thessaloniki and experience the authentic holiday atmosphere.

  • The most famous is the former Jewish quarter Ladadika. Close to the sea and full of restaurants and taverns, with characteristic buildings with colorful facades, cobbled and romantically lit streets. Whichever tavern you visit in Ladadika, you won’t go wrong.
  • Another neighborhood is also in the city center - Mpit Bazaar. It used to be home to antique shops, but today it is popular among young people for taverns that actually serve mezze and live music.
  • The third is Platia Athonos, located on Aristotelous Square. One of the smallest but very lively neighborhoods with taverns and mezedopolia (taverns serving meze) with a traditional menu.
  • One of the favorites among tourists is the so-called Luoloudadika district, known for the famous Jahunti hammam. This part of the city can give you a complete feel of the magic of celebrating New Year on the streets.

Central event for children

The central event for children is Asterokosmos, which is held at the Thessaloniki International Exhibition Center HELEXPO every year. This is where children can enjoy rides and games, an ice rink, shows performed by acrobats and puppets. There is also Santa’s house and a sweet village of elves…

It is important to note that parking will be free for visitors to Asterokosmos at the Helexpo - Emporiou entrance from Egnatia Street. The entrance will be free for children up to 1m in height as well as for people with disabilities (in wheelchairs) with an escort. You can read more about where to park your car in detail in our text PARKING IN THESSALONIKI. And if you want to visit other parts of Thessaloniki during your stay, you may find useful information about PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THESSALONIKI.

Fireworks

A minute before midnight, near the square, a large fireworks display will be launched from the sea, reaching a height of 250m at the opening and later 120m. The spectacular fireworks will last for 10 minutes and will consist of 5,000 explosions. This fireworks display should illuminate the entire sky above Thessaloniki, making the fireworks visible from all parts of the city. City officials expect the announced spectacle to attract a large number of Thessalonians and foreigners.

City decoration

What will make these holidays different is the announced low energy consumption. The lighting will consist of LED lights and will be turned off an hour after midnight.
-The central Christmas tree will be placed on the square itself, surrounded by smaller trees.
-The so-called blue sky, blue lights above the street, will be set up again this year in the pedestrian zone of Agia Sofia.

You can find information about what to visit in Thessaloniki with useful information in our GUIDE TO THESSALONIKI that we recommend you to check out. Check out our recommendation for the top five restaurants as well as where to try the best cakes in the city known for its gastronomy.

New Year and Christmas in Athens

During December, the Municipality of Athens organizes various musical events. Jazz and classical melodies can be heard from every corner and neighborhood of the city.

Syntagma Square, in the center of Athens, represents the center of the Christmas atmosphere, and every year the largest city Christmas tree is set up on the square. In addition to that, there is a carousel on the square that children enjoy while parents can enjoy Greek coffee in one of the decorated cafes around the square. The National Garden is one of the best tourist attractions for both children and adults. Located next to the square, in the center of Athens, so you can easily walk to it. Here, Santa Claus and his elves organize activities and workshops for children all day long and teach them Christmas traditions from around the world. Meanwhile, parents can test their ice skating skills at the ice rink.

Christmas Factory at Technopolis

If you are planning to visit Athens with your little ones during the Christmas holidays, be sure to stop by the famous Athens “Christmas factory” event ‼️
The Christmas Factory is held at Technopolis in Athens and will run from November 23 to January 6.
A wide range of activities is available, including Santa Claus’s house, an amusement park, workshops, performances, concerts, and more.

The Christmas Factory Hours of Operation:
From 23⁄11 to 20⁄12
Weekends: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Weekdays: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
From 21⁄12 to 6⁄1
Daily: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Ticket Prices:
General Admission: €8 per person
Daily ticket for two: €8
People with disabilities: FREE
Companions of people with disabilities: €4 or €8
Children under 3 years old: FREE

Address:
Technopolis, Piraeus Street 100, near Kerameikos metro station
The Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens is housed in the old gas factory of Athens, a rare industrial monument transformed into a cultural multi-purpose venue.
Located near Kerameikos metro station.
If traveling by bus:
Routes: 049, 815, 838, 914, B18, C18
Trolley: 21
Check out the program on the official website of the Christmas Factory here.

Santa’s Village in Drama

In addition to Thessaloniki and Athens, a very popular place for the upcoming holidays is Drama, where the entire Santa’s Village is located with a range of wonderful events and attractions. Drama is also near ski resorts, so that’s another advantage.
Read also about how New Year is celebrated in Drama and why many families from all over Greece choose Drama to spend the holidays.

Entertainment and nightlife

If you want to enjoy the nightlife during the New Year and Christmas holidays, you can book a table in one of the Greek clubs in advance.
The most popular form of entertainment in Greece is the so-called “buzukia”. We have written more about it in this article Buzukia in Greece
It’s an expensive experience, but it should be experienced, and perhaps the New Year and Christmas holidays are the right opportunity for that. Check out the program and prices here.

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