Christmas in Athens: Fifteen suggestions for festive shows for the whole family

Classic Christmas stories, award-winning musicals, famous ballets, musical theater performances with beloved artists, and creative workshops are among the many cultural events for the whole family that Athens has to offer these days, promising to give us unique moments. The Athens-Macedonian News Agency presents a selection of festive shows that will be staged in some of the city's largest venues and neighborhoods until after New Year's Day.

«Scrooge, a Christmas Story» at the Megaron

One of the most beloved Christmas novellas for young and old alike, Charles Dickens' Scrooge is transformed into a rock musical extravaganza with Panos Mouzourakis playing the title role (until January 8). Here, Scrooge is a pompous, decadent, and grumpy music star who, on Christmas Eve, receives a visit from the ghosts of dead stars of the world music scene who want to warn him that if he does not change his attitude towards his fellow human beings, he will soon go down in history as just another lost star. The adaptation and direction are by Christos Sougaris, the original music by Stefanos Korkolis, and the lyrics by Gerasimos Evangelatos. A large cast of actors and singers participate in surprise roles.

«The Suitcase of Ourania Celeste» at the SNFCC Lighthouse

Award-winning author Vangelis Hatzigiannidis is writing his new play especially for the Sophia Vgenopoulou is directing. Shortly before Christmas, the famous author Ourania Selest (played by Elena Topalidou) arrives from Paris to host the children of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center at the «Christmas Stories» event. Shortly before Christmas, the famous author Ourania Celeste (played by Elena Topalidou) arrives from Paris to stay at the home of her beloved nephew. She brings with her a huge suitcase. The family's life is turned upside down. In just a few days, so much will change. And the big question remains: what is she carrying in that mysterious suitcase? (until 6/1).

«The Sound of Music» at the Athens College Theater

One of the most beloved musicals of all time is brought to the stage on Christmas Day by Themis Marsellou, who directs and adapts the work into Greek. Nadia Kontogeorgi plays the role of the cheerful and music-loving governess, who brings music, song, and joy to the home of the strict captain, husband, and father G. von Trapp, played by Leonidas Kakouris. Joining them is a select cast of protagonists, a choir, and a live orchestra (until January 22). They are joined by a select cast of protagonists, a choir, and a live orchestra (until January 22).

«Karagiozis» Christmas in Paris" at the Megaron

This Christmas, renowned shadow puppeteer Ilias Karellas takes Karagiozis to Paris in a brand new vegan festive comedy full of humor and action, with the hero of Greek folk tradition dancing everything from hasaposerviko to waltz (until January 7). In this new production, Karagiozis and his friends will try to solve the mystery of the missing turkeys. Accompanying them are musicians Theodora Athanasiou (guitar), Loukas Metaxas (percussion), Glaukos Smarianakis (violin), Haris Tsalparas (accordion), and Kostas Tsarouchis (double bass).

«Nutcracker at the Christmas Theater

The quintessential Christmas ballet, with the iconic music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and libretto by Marius Petipa, is presented by the renowned Kiev Classical Dance Ensemble. After performances in Chicago and New York, they are coming to Athens for three performances only, on December 25 and 26. The story takes place in a little girl's dream, where toys come to life and toy soldiers led by the Nutcracker fight the army of mice, in a ballet that has captivated audiences of all ages for generations.

Musical fairy tales at the Municipal Theater of Piraeus

The classic work «Peter and the Wolf» by Sergei Prokofiev, along with Christmas fairy tales and carols, will fill the main stage of the Municipal Theater of Piraeus (December 26, 27, 29, and 30). Actors Dimitris Lalos and Marilita Lambropoulou will take on the role of narrators, while the classical melodies will be performed by the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Zoi Zeniodi. .

«The Twelve Days of Christmas» at the Olympia Municipal Theater

Shortly before the arrival of the new year, on December 27, the Athens Municipal Choir presents a rich festive program with songs and hymns from around the world, composed by Michalis Adamis, Benjamin Britten, Franz Gruber, George Frideric Handel, William Mathias, John Rutter, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, César Franck, Adolphe Adam, Jester Hairston, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Bob Chilcott. Stavros Beris conducts the Athenian choir, soprano Myrsini Margariti, and pianist Thanos Margetis in a program entitled «The Twelve Days of Christmas.».

Christmas with a view of the Acropolis

Christmas tunes, evening strolls through the exhibition halls, hidden stories about the exhibits, educational programs, unique creations in the shop, festive dishes in the restaurant, and interactive games with... kalikantzaroi (goblins) aim to offer special moments to young and old alike at the Acropolis Museum. The festive program includes the female vocal ensemble Chóres, which will perform traditional carols and well-known songs from the Greek and international repertoire, under the musical direction of Simela Emmanouilidou (12/28). To close the year, the Museum will host the Euxine Club of the Diocese of Naoussa, Imathia Prefecture, with traditional carols and Pontian dances (30/12).

The SNFCC is decked out in its festive best

For yet another year, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center is decked out in its festive attire and presents a rich program aimed at all ages. The Ice Rink on the Canal, the Light Installations in Stavros Niarchos Park, the Dancing Fountains, the 360° Christmas Pop-Up Bar on the Lighthouse Terrace, a series of musical events, as well as games and workshops for the whole family are just a few of the experiences that have become a tradition for thousands of visitors. On New Year's Eve, the SNFCC's «Christmas World» reaches its peak with impressive fireworks, a concert by Jerome Kaluta and his Big Band, a DJ set by Italian Beppe Loda, and, of course, the first road race of the year, the «SNF RUN: 2023 FIRST RUN.» The festive season will close at the Agora with a concert-tribute to David Bowie by the Heroes tribute band (08/01).

Festive events at Pedion tou Areos Park

As it does every year, the Region of Attica is organizing a rich program of events at Pedion tou Areos Park, where young and old alike will have the opportunity to enjoy unique festive experiences, with free admission until January 5. With the slogan ‘This is where joy PARKS,« the park hosts, among other things, musical programs with Kostas Martakis, Vanessa Adamopoulou, and Zoe Papadopoulou, as well as theatrical performances, dance lessons, creative workshops, and impressive interactive games with soap bubbles. Everyone's favorite Santa Claus will also be there to hand out gifts.

Interactive experiences at Elliniko

The Ellinikon Experience Park welcomed the festive season with impressive illuminations and invites the public to discover its hidden Christmas surprises until January 8. The festive tour begins at the Hill of Lights, an impressive light installation where visitors can discover festive messages, and continues at the Garden of Reflections, with a game of mirrors. Those who find themselves in Square B will walk through the largest interactive projection mapping in Greece and discover how their steps change the designs of the Magic Christmas Carpet. At the Christmas Hub next to the fountain, young and old alike can try their hand at creativity and make original Christmas crafts with sustainable materials to give to their loved ones.

The Christmas Factory at Technopolis in the Municipality of Athens

This holiday season, Christmas Factory returns richer and more dazzling than ever, offering young and old alike the opportunity to attend jazz concerts and theatrical performances, try their luck at the ice rink, take part in unique workshops – from a spectacular maze to creative baking activities, face painting, and choreography by elves, as well as visit its Christmas market, where they can sample festive delicacies and mulled wine and get ideas for this year's gifts.

An original Christmas Market in Omonia Square

One of Athens' most famous landmarks, the historic Omonia Square, is making a strong comeback on the city's Christmas map, welcoming young and old alike to a unique Christmas Market. As part of the Christmas celebrations, the Municipality of Athens invites the public until January 1, in a highly festive and glamorous setting, daily from 11:00 a.m. until late at night, offering delicious delicacies, selected gifts, music, and plenty of fun through a series of special events.

New Year's Eve gala with the Athens State Orchestra

The New Year's Gala of the KOA, Orchestra in Residence of the Athens Concert Hall, returns on December 29 and 30 to the Christos Lambrakis Hall, with musicals as its theme this year. The program for both concerts will feature melodies that left their mark on Broadway in New York and the West End in London, performed by distinguished Greek artists: soprano Myrsini Margariti, mezzo-soprano Nadia Kontogeorgi, tenor Yiannis Kalyvas, and bass Giorgos Papadimitriou. Michalis Oikonomou will be conducting.

Change of year at Syntagma Square

Athens will welcome the new year, once again in the heart of the city, at Syntagma Square, with a big New Year's Eve celebration organized by the Municipality of Athens. The stars of the evening will be Marios Frangoulis and Giorgos Perris, who will celebrate the turn of the year with a special musical program created especially for this year's festivities. The evening will open with the Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra performing classic Christmas songs. Immediately after welcoming 2023, the high-energy dance cover band Bejeezus will take over the music baton in Syntagma Square, and a little later, the party will move to the Varvakeio Market, where popular DJs will throw a big party that will last until the early hours of the morning.