Athens in December: What to Expect
Athens in December is a different city from the one most visitors know. The summer crowds are gone, the streets of the centre are lit for Christmas, and the big sights are calm enough to enjoy at your own pace.
This guide covers what to expect: the weather, the Christmas lights and events, what closes over the holidays, and the treats you will find in every bakery. If you already know you want to come, see our winter in Athens page for the dates we recommend.
Weather in Athens in December
December in Athens is mild by European standards. Daytime temperatures usually sit between 10 and 15°C (50–59°F), and nights drop to around 5–8°C (41–46°F).
It is one of the wetter months of the year, but rain tends to come in spells rather than all day, and clear, crisp days are common. Snow in the city is rare. Daylight is short, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and early afternoon.
What to pack: a warm jacket for the evenings, a light rain layer, and comfortable shoes for the old town’s marble and cobbled streets.
Christmas in Athens: the city centre
Christmas in Athens runs from the end of November to the first week of January. The city’s Christmas tree goes up in Syntagma Square, in front of the Parliament, and its lighting in late November is a public event with music and crowds.
From Syntagma, the lights continue down Ermou Street, the main shopping street, all the way to Monastiraki Square and the edge of Plaka. Stadiou and Panepistimiou avenues are lit up too. An evening walk from Syntagma to Monastiraki is the easiest way to take it all in, with shop windows dressed for the season along the way.
Christmas events and markets
The exact programme is announced each November, but these are the places that have hosted the season’s main events in recent years:
- Technopolis, Gazi. The former gasworks become the Christmas Factory, a festive village with Santa’s house, workshops, rides and an ice rink. A good pick for families.
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC). Light installations in the gardens, an ice rink, live music, and a large New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks.
- Athens Concert Hall (Megaron). Christmas concerts and opera, plus an indoor ice rink.
- Kotzia Square and the city’s neighbourhoods. Christmas villages and bazaars pop up across Athens, alongside the City of Athens’ own events.
- Piraeus. The port city sets up its own Christmas village and market, a short metro ride from the centre.
Check the official This is Athens guide from the City of Athens before your trip for dates and opening hours.
What’s open over Christmas and New Year
25 and 26 December and 1 January are public holidays in Greece. On those days the state archaeological sites and museums close, including the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Acropolis Museum, and so do most shops.
| Date | Acropolis | Musée de l'Acropole |
|---|---|---|
| 24 December | Open, winter hours | Open, 9:00–15:00 |
| 25 and 26 December | Closed | Closed |
| 31 December | Open, winter hours | Open, 9:00–15:00 |
| 1 January | Closed | Closed |
The Acropolis keeps winter hours from 1 November, 8:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30. Book tickets online, and plan the Acropolis and the museums for the days around the holidays.
Restaurants and cafés in the centre generally stay open, and hotels run as usual. Public transport follows a holiday schedule and taxis charge holiday rates.
Greek Christmas treats to try
In December every bakery in Athens fills its windows with two Christmas classics:
- Melomakarona: soft cookies soaked in honey syrup, spiced with cinnamon and cloves and topped with crushed walnuts.
- Kourabiedes: buttery almond shortbread buried under a thick layer of icing sugar.
Over New Year you will also find vasilopita, a cake made in honour of St Basil. A coin is hidden inside, and whoever finds it in their slice is said to have luck for the year ahead.
New Year’s Eve in Athens
The biggest public celebration is usually in Syntagma Square, with live music and fireworks at midnight. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre also hosts a large New Year’s Eve event with music and fireworks over the canal.
In Kotzia Square, in front of City Hall, the night is often marked with the Night of Wishes, when lanterns are released into the sky. Many restaurants serve a special New Year’s Eve menu, so book a table in advance, and bars in the centre stay busy well past midnight.
Where to stay in Athens in December
For a winter trip, stay in the old town around Monastiraki. You can walk to the Christmas lights on Ermou Street, to Syntagma Square and to Plaka, and come back to rest between sights. Metro Line 3 runs straight from the airport to Monastiraki, which makes arrival easy (see our guide How to Get From Athens Airport to Monastiraki).
Hellenic Vibes Smart Hotel is a boutique hotel a short walk from Monastiraki Square. The hotel is dressed for the season in December, and every morning starts with a Greek breakfast. Join the Hellenic Vibes Members Club when you book direct and save 10% on your stay.
See the dates we recommend on our winter in Athens page.
Frequently asked questions
Is December a good time to visit Athens?
Yes, if you prefer quiet sights and a festive city to beach weather. Days are mild, crowds are thin, and the centre is lit for Christmas from late November.
Is the Acropolis open in December?
Yes, daily from 8:00 to 17:00 (last entry 16:30), except on 25 and 26 December. It is also closed on 1 January.
When are the Christmas lights on in Athens?
The decorations usually go up by the end of November and stay until the first week of January.
Do I need a coat in Athens in December?
A warm jacket for the evenings and a light rain layer are enough for most days.
