Christmas (Χριστούγεννα) is one of the most celebrated holidays in Greece and is the second most important cultural and religious event after Easter. In Greece, the Christmas season lasts from the 24th of December- Christmas Eve (Παραμονή Χριστουγέννων )day, until the celebrations of the Epiphany (Θεοφάνια) on the 6th of January the following year…and Athens is just the perfect Christmas destination! Many events take place in different neighbourhoods, with the most noteworthy places being Syntagma Square- where the city’s main Christmas Tree is, and Thissio Square- where the biggest New Year’s Eve concert for the public takes place with none other than the impressive rock of the Acropolis as a backdrop…and, yes, sometimes it does snow in Athens. In major cities and towns of Greece, dazzling decorations are made with brilliant lights strung across the streets. Most of the main streets have huge speakers hung on the sloops and the City Council makes sure that the Christmas songs and Carols are played every single day and evening- until the end of the festive season. Shops are decorated with Christmas ornaments and the festive spirit is very noticeable all over the country. The big celebration begins on Christmas Eve, when children go from door to door, starting from 7 am, singing some traditional Greek Christmas Carols. In the evening, families gather to have a wonderful supper together and get ready to celebrate the day after, although, they will abstain from eating meat as Christmas Eve is the day of the fast. Christmas Day celebrations. After the Mass, people prepare a delicious Christmas lunch, which includes some local food specialties, and spend the entire day together. Usually, Christmas lunch includes roasted pork, stuffed turkey, and some traditional Christmas Cookies made with honey, eggs, oil, and flour. The lunch starts with a prayer and the cutting of the Christmas Bread by the host, who wishes Merry Christmas (Καλά Χριστούγεννα) to their relatives. Greek Christmas celebrations are mainly focused on the family- spending time together, doing things together, and meeting with relatives and friends. Christmas customs and traditions. The Christmas Carols (Χριστουγεννιάτικα κάλαντα) The Christmas Boat (Χριστουγεννιάτικο καράβι) Gifts (Δώρα) The Christmas Bread (Χριστόψωμο) The Traditional Christmas Cookies (Χριστουγεννιάτικα γλυκά) Δίπλες - are fried strips of dough dipped in honey syrup and covered in crushed nuts. Μελομακάρονα – the main ingredients include semolina flour, olive oil, honey, orange, lemon, cinnamon, crushed nuts, nutmeg, sugar, and clove. Κουραμπιέδες - the main ingredients include butter, flour, sugar, salt, and almonds, vanilla and are covered in powdered sugar.
On the morning of Christmas Eve, the streets are filled with children, who go around the neighbourhoods, from house to house, playing drums and triangles as they sing the Christmas Carols. In return, they receive from the householders sweets, coins, or even small gifts.
From ancient times, the Greeks decorated a boat, this Custom arose because Greeks were primarily naval people. It symbolizes the new voyage of man in life, after the birth of Christ.
Since the Christmas season in Greece lasts from the 24th of December to the 6th of January, most Greeks will wait until the 1st of January- St. Vasilis (Άγιος Βασίλης) Day, to exchange their gifts. Nowadays, many Greek families give gifts on Christmas Day.
The Christmas Bread, which has to have a cross engraved on it, is made by the housewives on Christmas Eve day and people eat it on Christmas Day
FAQs
Christmas in Greece? ›
The 12-day festive period's three major celebrations – Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Epiphany – are marked with caroling performances all around Greece. During these celebrations, children go out into their communities singing kalanda accompanied by brass ensembles and choirs to spread holiday cheer.
How does Greece celebrate Christmas? ›The 12-day festive period's three major celebrations – Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Epiphany – are marked with caroling performances all around Greece. During these celebrations, children go out into their communities singing kalanda accompanied by brass ensembles and choirs to spread holiday cheer.
Is Greece nice during Christmas? ›Yes, you can visit the Greek islands in December. While the weather is cooler, it's mild compared to many other European destinations during this time. Islands like Crete, Rhodes, and Santorini offer a pleasant climate, making them attractive options.
Do Greeks celebrate Christmas on Jan 6th? ›When do they celebrate Christmas in Greece? Celebrations for the Holiday Season in Greece start on December 25th, when Jesus Christ was born, and end on January 6th on Epiphany Day, when Jesus Christ was baptized.
Is Greek Christmas the same? ›For many people all over the world, this is on the 25th of December (Christmas Day). In Greece though, children receive their Christmas presents on New Year's Day and not on Christmas Day. The Greek Santa Claus is called Saint (Agios) Vasilis. We celebrate his name day on January 1, so he brings presents on that day.
What do they call Santa in Greece? ›In Greece, Santa Claus is known as 'Ayios Vassileios'. Like Turkey, Agios Vasilios delvers gifts on New Year's Eve.
What is a traditional Greek Christmas dinner? ›Yiaprakia is a traditional dish enjoyed during the Christmas holiday, originally from Northern Greece. This meal is made of cabbage leaves and filled with minced pork alone or in combination with rice, often accompanied by avgolemono sauce.
What are fun facts about Greece in On Christmas? ›Gifts Aren't Exchanged on Christmas
Since the Christmas season lasts from Christmas Eve to the Epiphany on January 6, most Greeks will wait until St. Basil Day on January 1 to exchange gifts – although many families now also give gifts on Christmas Day.
The teachings of Orthodoxy are described in the Nicene Creed, adopted in AD 325 by an ecumenical council: belief in one God, creator of all things, and his Son, Jesus Christ, who was crucified for the world's salvation and was resurrected on the third day, and who will come again in glory to judge the living and the ...
Does Greece have a Christmas tree? ›Christmas trees were introduced to Greece in the 1830s by King Otto, but didn't really become popular until about the 1940s. The Greek equivalent of the Christmas tree, is the Christmas boat, a wonderful tradition, which after falling out of favour, I'm glad to say, is making a come back… big time!
Do Greeks go to church on Christmas? ›
The Christmas season in Greece and the Diaspora is largely observed as a religious festival. Families attend church services on Christmas Eve and at daybreak on Christmas morning. Children go from house to house singing the Kalanta.
Who is the Greek Christmas god? ›Another divine figure traditionally associated with Jesus Christ is the Greek god Dionysus, and his Roman equivalent, Bacchus. Dionysus was the god of wine, grape-harvest, vegetation, ritual madness, festivity and theatre.
What does Santa look like in Greece? ›In Greek mythology, Santa Claus is expressed through the figure of Saint Basil of Caesarea, who is so lean he they could remind you of skeletons. Saint Basil's brown long beard and stoic face is depicted by the Greek Orthodox Church and follows the example of most Saints of the Orthodox tradition.
Why do Greeks celebrate Christmas on the 25th? ›Similarly, Christmas is also celebrated on Dec. 25 by the majority of local Orthodox churches of the world – because they celebrate according to the New Julian calendar (the churches of Constantinople, Cyprus, Hellas, Romanian, Alexandria, Antioch, Albania, and Bulgaria).
Is there a popular Christmas gift in Greece? ›Moreover, wines and boxes full of melomakarona and kourabiedes are a typical gift to bear when visiting in Greece during the holidays. Sweets and tasty wines or champagne are always appreciated in any Greek house.