Christmas in Greece
The holidays in Greece are special times, beginning with the feast of St. Nikolaos on December 6th, when many Greeks exchange gifts.By comparison with most Western European countries, Greece's celebration is still solemn and moving, a time for faith and family, with blissfully few of the commercial trappings visitors are accustomed to seeing elsewhere, though they are increasing every year. It's a good reason to go now.
The City of Athens has assembled a rich slate of holiday events running throughout December and on through Epiphany on January 6th. The exact schedule will be revealed by the Mayor in early December. In 2006, the official Christmas tree at Syntagma Square was lit on December 4th. And in 2005, Syntagma Square was turned into a giant candy store called the "Town of Treats" and featured a giant dollhouse and a glittering carousel. Nearby, at the Zappeion Gardens, a "Crystal City" was erected around an ice rink which gave Athenians and visitors the opportunity to glide around with the help of professional instructors. There will also be additional decorations and free musical events in many parts of Athens. Similar events should make Christmas in Athens 2007 just as much fun.
On New Year's Eve, look for a free city-sponsored concert. Check the official City of Athens Christmas website for additional details.
Many businesses, sites, and museums will close irregularly through the holiday season. Officially, the actual dates of December 25th-26th and January 1stare the only ones supposed to be affected - but please don't count on this.
There will be a small travel crunch just before Christmas and just after January first and again after January 6th, as some Greeks go home for the holidays and then return to Athens.
In 2007, the Danish Institute located in the Plaka area of Athens is offering a documentary film on winter solstice celebrations among the Kalash of Nuristan, a tribe who may have had contact with Alexander the Great during his invasion of the region. The Danish Institute is also offering an evening of Christmas Carols on December 15th.
December Quick Look
Mainland Weather: Cold, rain, snow in the mountains, some fair days.
Island Weather: Cold and windy (though often sunny larger islands such as Crete and Rhodes and the west coast Ionians fare best.
Prices: Low Events: Athens arts events. Feast of St. Nicholas on Dec. 6th. New Year's Day and Epiphany bring light to January.
Facilities: Cycladic islands and many others are virtually closed, with few hotels and restaurants remaining open. Travel between isles is limited. In the mountains, ski season begins.
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Some of The Best Greek Islands
Temple-crowned Aegina - Natural Alonissos - Traditional Carpathos - Chewy Chios - Cos, The Doctors' Island - Queenly Crete - Dignified Delos - Do it all on Donoussa - Hydra, Artist's Island - Odysseus' Ithaca - Kalokairi "Mamma Mia" Island - Spongy Kalymnos - Aphrodite's Kythira - Lesvos, More than Sappho - Lovely Leros - Mighty Mykonos - Paros Paradise - Pirate Islands - Pastoral Patmos - Volcanic Santorini - Sexy Skopelos - The Dreamy Small Cyclades - Easy Spetses - Symi Summers - Very Greek Syros - Honeyed Thassos - Tilos, Island of Elephants
