Spending the holidays in Hellas? Traveling to Greece in December and January offers off-season discounts, light crowds, good air quality in Athens, and a rich and emotional Christmas show, followed by New Years and Epiphany celebrations.
Christmas in greece
Holidays in Greece are special times, beginning with the feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6, when many Greeks exchange gifts.
Compared to most Western European countries, Greece’s celebration remains solemn and poignant, a time for faith and family, with very few of the trade pitfalls visitors are used to seeing elsewhere, though increase every year. It’s a good reason to go now. Without much support from the embattled Greek government, the celebrations are in the hands of the cities and towns themselves.
In Athens, Syntagma Square will be decorated with decorations made by schoolchildren with a Christmas “tree” created by art students. The empty shop windows, of which, sadly, there are many more than in the mid-2000s, will serve as temporary art exhibition spaces. In general, there will be exhibitions and activities in the three main squares of Syntagma, Kotzia and Klefthmono, in various places in the Athens neighborhoods and in the cultural centers.
In Florina, on December 23 and 24, a traditional bonfire festival is held in Agios Panteleimonas, near Amynteo. Remember that the weather can be a factor in travel. Florina is about two and a half hours drive from Thessaloniki.
On New Years Eve, look for a free city-sponsored concert and fireworks.
Many businesses, sites and museums will close irregularly during the holiday season. Officially, the actual dates December 25-26 and January 1 are the only ones that are supposed to be affected, but check before making final plans.
Usually there will be a small travel crisis just before Christmas and just after January 1 and again after January 6, as some Greeks go home for the holidays and then return to Athens. This year, due to the financial crisis, Greeks may not travel as much on vacation, so the more casual visitor will likely find space on planes and ferries.
December Quick View
- Continental climate: cold, rain, snow in the mountains, some fair days
- Island climate : cold and windy (although often the larger and sunnier islands such as Crete and Rhodes and the west coast of the Ionians are the best)
- low prices
- Events: artistic events in Athens. Feast of San Nicolás on December 6. New Years Day and Epiphany bring light to January.
- Facilities: The smaller Cyclades islands, the more remote islands and many others are practically closed, with few hotels and restaurants remaining open and infrequent ferry services making it difficult to jump to the islands. Travel between islands is limited. But in the mountains, depending on the snow situation, the ski season usually begins, and you can take a look through many web cams of winter resorts in Greece.
January Quick View
- Continental climate: cold and humid; snow in the mountains
- Island / coastal climate: cold, humid (sometimes even snowy) and windy. Sunny and pleasant days are usually very limited.
- low prices
- Events: Many events, mainly aimed at Greek fans of the arts. There are New Years celebrations, then Epiphany on January 6. There are plays, concerts, etc. in Athens and Thessaloniki, as well as in many other places.
- Facilities: Hotels and restaurants on many islands will be closed. The ski season is in full swing, although bad weather can get in the way. Visits to ports by tender for cruise ships may be canceled due to rough waters.
Celebrations
New Year’s Eve is being celebrated more and more vigorously in Athens and elsewhere, with larger hotels often throwing a party. On the island of Chios, groups of fishermen create and transport models of boats that sing songs. The first of January is the feast of Saint Basil when many Greeks practice the ancient custom of cutting a piece of Vassilopita (basil cake) in hopes of finding a lucky coin hidden by the baker. Although Saint Nicholas may seem like a more obvious inspiration for Santa Claus, it is Saint
Basil visiting with gifts on this day. Playing cards at a table covered with lucky green felt is also supposed to ensure abundance throughout the year.
The Epiphany celebrations in villages near the sea or in rivers will include the local priest throwing a cross into the water, where it is recovered by intrepid young people who dive into the cold waters, a blessing of the waters dates back to antiquity . . Like the day of the baptism of Jesus, many Greek Orthodox families organize children’s baptisms for this day. If you are in the Athens area, Piraeus has a particularly lavish ceremony.
On January 8 , some remote villages practice role reversal, with women engaging in masculine activities (mainly drinking coffee at kafeneions and playing cards) while men attempt to fulfill women’s roles in the home. An evening celebration follows as things return to “normal” for another year, and possibly a new understanding persists, at least for a few months!
