Christmas Concerts in Athens 2024

This festive season, Athens transforms into a sparkling wonderland with Christmas in Athens: A Fairytale Comes to Life, a city-wide celebration running from November 28 to January 10. The city’s squares and landmarks are illuminated (with energy-efficient lighting, ofcourse) and every Athenian neighbourhood gets in on the yuletide action with free events for all tastes and ages, including Christmas-themed concerts, open-air film screenings, kids activities and more.

Christmas without music would feel like a story without words—a season missing its most joyful voice. Track down the season’s festive concerts ranging from traditional Greek music, to jazz, soul, disco, and more.

13/12–03/01; 12.30 pm: Join the Christmas serenade by The City of Athens Symphony Orchestra taking place on five separate dates:

• 13/12: Voukourestiou & Valaoritou Streets, and on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street in front of the Acropolis Museum
• 14/12: Aiolou Street at Agias Irinis Square
• 16/12: Ermou Street in front of Kapnikarea Church
• 19/12: Fokionos Negri Street in front of the Kypseli Municipal Market
• 03/01: Mesolongiou Square in Pangrati

19/12–04/01; various times; Johann Strauss II, Die Fledermaus (The Bat); Olympia Municipal Music Theatre "Maria Callas": Experience the sparkling Viennese operetta of mistaken identities, secret encounters, and champagne-fuelled waltzes by Johann Strauss II. Ticketed event, book here.

01/12; 8.30 pm; Athens - The Capital, 1834; Olympia Municipal Music Theatre "Maria Callas": Celebrate Athens as the capital of Greece with a commemorative concert featuring works by Beethoven, Pallantios, and Taylor. Ticketed event, book here (TBA).

03/12; 8.30 pm; Let Me Come With You - A Tribute to Thanos Mikroutsikos; Olympia Municipal Music Theatre "Maria Callas": Enjoy a special tribute to the iconic Greek composer who masterfully blended poetry and music. Ticketed event, book here.

08/12 (10 am – 12 pm) & 16/12 (12 – 5 pm): Catch Athens 9.84 broadcasting live with festive tunes, celebrity guests, and holiday treats at Agios Panteleimonas (08/12) and Ermou Street (16/12).

16/12; 11.30 am – 1.30 pm; Christmas Listening Session; Maria Callas Museum: Join a festive listening session with radio producer Giorgos Florakis and guest singer-songwriter Alkyone, featuring music from classical to punk. Limited seating available; first come, first served.

16/12; 5 – 7 pm; Hot Chocolate Jazz Session; Maria Callas Museum: Enjoy a cosy afternoon of live jazz and hot chocolate at the Maria Callas Museum, with stunning views of the Acropolis. Limited seating available; first come, first served.

16/12; 8pm; The Journey of Sounds Through Time; Melina Mercouri Cultural Centre: Take a musical journey through time with Byzantine chant, traditional melodies, and rebetiko classics.

19/12; 7–8.15pm; Music on the Move; Kypseli Municipal Market: The eight-piece band Brass Fun bring festive cheer to the Kypseli Municipal Market with a lively Christmas celebration.

22/12; 2–3pm; Athens Book Space: The Brass Fun energise the Athens Book Space with a vibrant mix of jazz, soul, funk, and pop, blending international and Greek classics.

23/12; 12 pm; Christmas Songs and Carols; Olympia Municipal Music Theatre "Maria Callas": Celebrate the season with Christmas hymns, carols, and songs from across Greece, performed by orchestras, choirs, and traditional ensembles. Free admission with entry tickets. Tickets are available through the Ticket Plus network and at the theatre box office two hours before the performance. 

24/12; 12 – 11 pm; Kypseli Xmas Beat; Kypseli Municipal Market: A festive event filled with food, drinks, music, family activities, and holiday cheer!

24/12; 7.30 pm; Doros Dimosthenous - Retrospectiva; Syntagma Square: The talented performer and his five-piece band take you on a festive journey through the carefree vibes of the '60s and '70s, with a few surprises from other eras.

25/12; 11 am – 9 pm; Syntagma Square: On Christmas Day, Syntagma Square is the place to be, with three unmissable performances:

• 11 am: The 20-member Nikolaos Lavdas mandolin orchestra performs festive suites and masterpieces from the Mediterranean and from Northern Europe, led by rising conductor Konstantinos Terzakis.
• 1.30 pm: MOb Trio takes the stage with their unique blend of electronic jazz, krautrock, and post-punk, featuring tracks from their debut album and a sneak peek at their upcoming release.
• 7.30 pm: Charismatic Greek singer-songwriter and performer Panos Mouzourakis delivers an electrifying show filled with his signature theatrical style, including hits from his new album Megalono and fan-favourites from his discography.

26/12; 1.30 – 9 pm; Syntagma Square: Syntagma Square comes alive with another spectacular line-up of music performances:

• 1.30 pm: The jazz band To Pragma, led by pianist Kostis Christodoulou, delivers a mix of swing, blues, and meditative melodies, blending humour and originality with tracks from their albums and new material.
• 5.30 pm: Soulful powerhouse Idra Kayne brings her vibrant energy, captivating voice, and a mix of soul, funk, RnB, and hip hop hits, guaranteed to get everyone moving.
• 7.30 pm: Electronic pop band MIKRO returns after a decade with an electrifying live performance featuring tracks from their new album and timeless favourites from their discography.

28/12; 11 am - 2.30 pm: Maria Callas Museum: Join renowned pianist Dimitra Kokkinopoulou for an enchanting evening of classical masterpieces infused with the warmth and joy of the holiday season.

30/12; 8.30 pm; Olympia Municipal Music Theatre "Maria Callas": End 2024 on a high note with the City of Athens Big Band, featuring the mesmerising vocals of Veronica Mortensen and Danish sensation Niels HP, in a festive jazz celebration. Ticketed event, book here.

For more Christmas inspiration, check out this season's events here.

For your own convenience, we suggest checking directly with the event organiser or host venue for confirmation.