Thousands turned up to watch the spectacular display as Athens officially welcomed on Thursday the holiday season with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Syntagma Square.
The 20-metre tree arrived in Athens last week and was adorned with dazzling lights and ornaments.
It was lit by the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, at an event that featured presenters Nancy Zambetoglou and Thanasis Anagnostopoulos and Christmas melodies with Nefeli Fasouli and the Athens Big Band.
“This Christmas in Athens will be like a fairy tale. A great celebration will begin in the heart of the city. Neighborhoods of Athens, as well as emblematic landmarks, are illuminated for the first time. Colorful LED lights, low consumption, ornaments made from recycled materials will bring the magic of the holidays, with respect for the environment,” Doukas said.
#Αθήνα… σαν παραμύθι! Καλές γιορτές και χαρούμενα #Χριστούγεννα να έχουμε #Χριστουγεννιατικο_Δεντρο #Συνταγμα pic.twitter.com/VBVNqnVU6v
— Aggelos Gavris (@AggelosGavris) November 28, 2024
Spectators marveled at the synchronized light and music show, which transformed the square into a winter wonderland.
Families and visitors enjoyed additional attractions, such as food stalls offering seasonal treats and interactive installations perfect for capturing holiday memories. The event set the tone for the weeks of celebrations leading up to Christmas.
Φωταγωγήθηκε το χριστουγεννιάτικο δέντρο στο Σύνταγμα #Χριστούγεννα#Χριστουγεννιάτικοδέντρο#Αθήνα#Πλατεία Συντάγματος#Σύνταγμα pic.twitter.com/7A6Z7zXR9Z
— Theo TVnews (@theotvnews) November 28, 2024
While Athens might not be a winter holiday destination the way snowy northern European cities are, there are lovely traditions to witness and tasty seasonal foods to tempt you.
The Christmas season in Athens kicks off on December 6 for the feast day of St. Nicholas, and continues until Epiphany on January 6. So there’s a whole month of festivities to enjoy.
Traditionally, New Year is when Agios Vasilis (St. Basil), the Greek version of Santa Claus, brings gifts. He bears little resemblance to the western version of Santa though: he’s tall, slender, and has a dark bushy beard and is known for his generosity and kindness to the less privileged.
In the lead-up to Christmas, Athenians are in the grip of a shopping frenzy. It’s not just about filling Santa’s stocking. Two of the year’s biggest name days—Christina and Vasilis—also fall during the festive period (name days are a bigger deal than birthdays in Greece).
The city of Trikala in central Greece boasts the tallest tree in Greece. Crowds from all over Thessaly gathered in the central square for the countdown to the lighting on Wednesday evening.
Trikala also hosts the largest and most famous Christmas fair of Greece, the “Mill of the Elves”. The well-known “Mylos ton Xotikon” (“Mill of the Elves”) which opens this weekend is going to capture everyone’s attention.
This year’s theme, “What goes ‘ho ho ho’ on the rooftops?” introduces a delightful new element to the festivities— cats!
Copying Greece’s famous saying “What meows on the rooftops?” the Mill of the Elves is adding a new twist to this year’s Christmas celebrations. These feline friends will be taking center stage, interacting with elves and even Santa Claus himself, along with the entire fairy-tale setting of Greece’s most popular Christmas fair.
