Extended Christmas Shopping Hours in Athens and Thessaloniki: Your Essential Guide
As the holiday season approaches, the retail market in Athens and Thessaloniki is gearing up for extended Christmas opening hours. Starting from Thursday, December 11, 2025, stores will begin operating on a festive schedule designed to accommodate holiday shoppers. This initiative aims to boost commercial activity during one of the busiest times of the year.
The Athens Traders Association has released a proposed festive schedule, clarifying that this is a recommended and optional framework. Individual businesses retain the flexibility to adjust their operating hours based on their specific needs and capabilities, always adhering to existing legislation (Monday-Saturday 06:00-21:00, Sunday 11:00-20:00). This year’s festive hours are characterized by their flexible nature, with the Ministry of Development and trade associations anticipating specific Sunday openings to stimulate consumer traffic.
With the market preparing for another intense festive period, consumers will have more time and more options for their purchases.
Athens Festive Shopping Hours: December 2025 – January 2026
Below is the detailed festive shopping schedule for Athens:
- Thursday, December 11, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Friday, December 12, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Saturday, December 13, 2025: 09:00-16:00
- Sunday, December 14, 2025: 11:00-16:00
- Monday, December 15, 2025: 09:00-16:00
- Tuesday, December 16, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Wednesday, December 17, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Thursday, December 18, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Friday, December 19, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Saturday, December 20, 2025: 09:00-18:00
- Sunday, December 21, 2025: 11:00-18:00
- Monday, December 22, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Tuesday, December 23, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve): 09:00-18:00
- Thursday, December 25, 2025 (Christmas Day): Holiday (Closed)
- Friday, December 26, 2025: Holiday (Closed)
- Saturday, December 27, 2025: 09:00-18:00
- Sunday, December 28, 2025: 11:00-18:00
- Monday, December 29, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Tuesday, December 30, 2025: 09:00-21:00
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025 (New Year’s Eve): 09:00-18:00
- Thursday, January 01, 2026 (New Year’s Day): Holiday (Closed)
- Friday, January 02, 2026: Closed
Thessaloniki Festive Shopping Hours: December 2025 – January 2026
According to the Thessaloniki Traders Association, the festive schedule begins on December 13, 2025:
- Weekdays (December 13-30): Shops will be open from 10:00 to 21:00.
- Saturdays (December 13, 20, 27): Operating hours from 10:00 to 18:00.
- Sundays (December 14, 21, 28): Operating hours from 11:00 to 18:00.
Thessaloniki Closures:
- Christmas Day (December 25)
- Friday, December 26
- New Year’s Day (January 1)
- The day after New Year’s Day (January 2)
Thessaloniki Eve Operating Hours:
- Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: Shops will be open from 10:00 to 18:00.
Consumers are encouraged to utilize these extended hours to complete their holiday shopping and enjoy the festive atmosphere in both cities.
