Athens is embracing the Christmas spirit with Syntagma Square preparing to shine brightly. As of early Friday morning, November 21, the impressive fir tree from Chrysovitsi, Arcadia, arrived in the heart of the city, officially marking the countdown to the biggest holiday of the year.
Athens Municipality Unveils Enhanced Christmas Decorations and Events
With new LED lighting, more ornaments than ever before, and a program promising magic in every neighborhood, the Municipality of Athens is preparing a festive atmosphere aiming to adorn the entire capital with joy, music, and light. On November 27, Syntagma Square will become the focal point of a large, open celebration, where young and old alike will officially welcome the start of the city’s Christmas events.
“This year, we have created a festive setting that unites tradition with modern aesthetics. We are decorating the center and the neighborhoods with low-consumption LED lighting. We want the entire city to be ‘dressed’ in the joy of Christmas. I sincerely thank everyone who worked for these moments: the people of the Municipality, the artists, as well as the organizations that actively support the city’s Christmas decorations. I invite you to light up Athens together, on Thursday, November 27, at 5 PM, and celebrate with music, joy, and optimism,” stated Athens Mayor Haris Doukas.
Tree Lighting Ceremony and Live Performances
The evening begins at 5:00 PM with beloved Christmas melodies from the Athens Municipality Big Band. The Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra will make a festive ‘parade’ from the Ermou fountain at 6:00 PM to Syntagma Square, inviting people to follow the music and become part of the grand Christmas gathering.
Athens Mayor, Haris Doukas, at 7:30 PM, will give the signal to light up the Christmas tree and unveil this year’s festive decoration of the square.
Panos Mouzourakis will perform a spectacular Christmas live show, specially designed for the festive evening, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. With beloved hits such as “Megalonos,” “Epatha Agapi,” “Afti Einai I Zoi,” “Fila Me Akoma,” “Madam,” as well as special covers, the unconventional singer and performer promises a concert full of emotion, cheer, and Christmas spirit.
Musicians participating include: Pavlos Kaltouroumidis – Keyboards, Dimitris Kalonaros – Drums, Dimitris Frosinis – Bass, Alexandros Pouliasis – Guitar, Dimitris Karagiannis – Saxophone, Dionysis Kokolis – Trumpet, and the Children’s Choir of the 2nd and 3rd Primary Schools of Papagou (Instruction, direction: Thomas Kontogeorgis).
The hosts of the evening will be Krateros Katsoulis and Dora Makrygianni. The event will be simultaneously interpreted into Greek Sign Language by interpreter Polyvios Kosmatos, ensuring that the festive experience is truly inclusive and accessible to everyone.
Extensive Festive Decorations Across the City
Central streets such as Panepistimiou, Stadiou, Ermou, and Vassilissis Sofias Avenue have already been adorned with light tubes, Christmas trees, and other ornaments. By November 27, the day of the Syntagma Square lighting, the decoration of the entire city will be completed, creating a luminous spectacle.
Athens’ Christmas tree is a lush 19-meter-tall fir from a tree farm, which has taken its place in the center of Syntagma Square. Red and gold balls, impressive illuminated plexiglass ornaments in various designs, and 3,000 meters of sparkling lights highlight the warm, joyful atmosphere of the season. In total, 21,000 meters of garland, or 168,000 lights, will be placed on Syntagma Square and the fir tree.
After the holidays, the fir tree will be donated to the Athens School of Fine Arts (ASFA) to be used as raw material for wood carving art projects for its students.
The wreaths on the columns and the hanging luminous stars on the trees from last year’s square decoration are retained this year, while a ground-level illuminated Santa Claus will serve as an interactive point for visitors, visually connecting with Ermou Street. The illuminated archway with the nutcrackers will also be there this year. The entire pedestrian street will be enriched with new garlands and hanging stars, as a continuation of the Syntagma tree. Additionally, a Christmas nativity scene will be placed in Mitropoleos Square.
From December 15, the fountain in Omonia Square will feature water shows synchronized with music.
The festive lighting uses low-energy LED technology and is spread throughout the city. It includes a total of 78,000 meters of tree garlands, 2,113 pole-mounted decorations, 1,325 aerial ornaments, 11,933 meters of light tubes, and 47 ground installations.
A Celebration for Everyone
The detailed program for “Christmas in Athens” will be announced in the coming days, including festive activities for families and children, holiday surprises in the city’s neighborhoods, such as the Christmas Market in Kotzia Square, musical-theatrical performances, concerts, parties for New Year’s Eve, as well as the traditional events for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Source: cnn.gr
