Athens, November 29 – Pedion tou Areos, one of Athens’ most beloved parks, has officially opened its Christmas Village, bringing festive cheer to the heart of the city. The celebrations, which commenced on November 28 with a spectacular tree-lighting ceremony, promise a month and a half of winter magic, music, performances, and delightful treats, all with free admission.
Festivities Launch with Grand Tree-Lighting and Live Music
The Christmas Village of the Attica Region, which attracted over one million visitors last year, launched its 2025 season on Friday, November 28, at 7 p.m. The event was marked by a dazzling tree-lighting ceremony attended by the Regional Governor of Attica, Nikos Hardalias, accompanied by an impressive light show. This grand opening follows the recent lighting of the central Christmas tree at Syntagma Square, further immersing Athens in the holiday spirit.
Immediately following the tree-lighting, at 7:30 p.m., popular singer Thodoris Ferris and the dynamic Onemanshow took to the main music stage to inaugurate the festivities with a vibrant live performance. Their energy-filled set, featuring their biggest hits, set a joyous tone for the season.
Earlier in the evening, at 6 p.m., the beloved street band “Molivenioi Stratiotes” enchanted visitors with a festive walk through the Village, filling the park with joyful renditions of Christmas classics.
Regional Governor Emphasizes Hope and Community
Regional Governor Nikos Hardalias expressed his enthusiasm for the return of the Christmas Village, stating, “With great joy and even greater emotion, we open the gates of our Christmas Village in Pedion tou Areos for a second consecutive year. Last year, thousands of families filled our park with light, warmth and smiles-an embrace of love that was our greatest reward. This year, we return even more prepared, more creative, and more determined to offer an experience that is even more magical. The holidays remind us that despite challenges, there is always room for hope, for joy, for small miracles shared with the people we love. That is exactly what we want to create here-a park that glows, a city that smiles, an Attica with its heart open to everyone.”
A Plethora of Attractions and Entertainment
The Christmas Village offers a diverse range of attractions designed to captivate visitors of all ages. Highlights include:
- Concerts and Performances: The main stage will host some of the most prominent names in Greek music throughout the festive season. Artists such as Klavdia, Giannis Kotsiras, Nikos Portokaloglou, Rena Morfi, Melina Aslanidou, Panos Mouzourakis, Giannis Zouganelis, Eleni Tsaligopoulou, Melina Kana, Locomondo, and Gadjo Dilo are scheduled to perform.
- New Year’s Eve Celebration: Eleni Foureira, Zaf, and DJ Bobito will lead a major open-air celebration to ring in the New Year.
- Ice Rink: A dedicated ice rink provides a classic winter activity for families and friends.
- Pop-Up Shops: Forty wooden pop-up shops offer a variety of festive goods and treats.
- Theatrical Shows and Artistic Performances: Beyond music, the Village will feature engaging theatrical shows and artistic displays.
- Interactive Educational Activities: Children can participate in a range of interactive and educational activities.
Full Concert Schedule Highlights
The Christmas Village has announced a comprehensive daily schedule of events on its main stage, all offered free of charge. Key upcoming performances include:
- Saturday, November 29, 19:30: Locomondo will bring their unique blend of reggae, ska, and Balkan sounds.
- Sunday, November 30, 13:00: A special tribute to Mikis Theodorakis featuring Dimitris Mitropanos, Olga Antonopoulou, and Violeta Ikari.
- Friday, December 5, 19:30: Gadjo Dilo will perform their distinctive gypsy jazz sound.
- Sunday, December 7, 13:00: Rena Morfi will present a midday live performance filled with joy and rhythm.
The full concert and event program, including activities on two additional stages, can be found on the Village’s updated website at xmasvillageattica.gr.
Operating Hours for the Christmas Village
The Christmas Village of the Attica Region at Pedion tou Areos welcomes visitors with free admission during the following hours:
- Monday – Friday: 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Weekends: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The festive season at Pedion tou Areos will run through January 7, 2026, promising an extended period of holiday cheer for residents and visitors of Athens.
Source: https://www.tovima.com/culture/pedion-tou-areos-park-welcomes-a-christmas-village-in-the-heart-of-athens/
