This year Christmas in Athens will be different - more modern and artistic, with a greater emphasis on culture, and bathed in light and music. The City of Athens is once again staging a comprehensive series of events. This year the celebration is spreading across many locations throughout the city, in City District, on squares and in the neighbourhoods. All citizens - and children, in particular - have the opportunity to feel the festive atmosphere, no matter where they live.

Christmas decorations are being installed as the city is transformed and awaits its residents and guests to join this unique celebration. Syntagma Square, the National Gardens, Kanari Square in Kypseli and Sotiris Petroulas Square in Kolonos are some of the locations at which we will have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

Syntagma Square: The centre of the celebration

From December 7, 2008, through January 6, 2008, Syntagma Square, which constitutes the core of our city's Christmas panorama, will present a stunningly festive image. The City's Christmas Tree will be lit in a brilliant fashion and special structures, games and a stage, that will host music events and children's activities, are to be installed. The tall, dazzling Christmas tree will take its place at the square's most central point, while the much-loved carousel will no doubt draw the attention of both youngsters and adults. Throughout the month Syntagma Square will serve as a musical oasis with classical and jazz melodies, Christmas tunes from around the world, Byzantine hymns, ethnic music and traditional dance performance.

The city's Yuletide lights will be lit up at the Municipality's Christmas event programme launch, to feature the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra, Children's Choir and Big Band. The lighting of the city's Christmas tree, on Sunday, December 7, at 20:00, will involve a stunning fireworks show and mark the start of the festive celebrations.

Throughout the month, Syntagma Square will host a series of art and music events, which is set to reach its peak on New Year's Eve. Well-known music producers Theodoris Sarandis and Nikos Lyberopoulos will flood the city with music. The City of Athens Symphony Orchestra (conducted by maestro Lefteris Kalkanis) and the Athens Municipal Mixed Choir (conducted by Stavros Beris) will present Athenians with a special New Year's Eve programme of melodies from much-loved musicals and Christmas songs together with tenors Nikos Stefanou, Dimitris Kasioumis, Yiannis Christopoulos and Stamatis Beris.

As the clock strikes midnight, marking the start of the New Year, the sky will be filled with fireworks launched from four locations (at two points on Syntagma Square, Lycabettus hill and Technopolis).

National Gardens: The Forest of Fairytales

The Municipality will transform the National Gardens into the ultimate educational and entertainment destination, from December 20 through January 6 (10:00 - 17:00), with the aim of charming youngsters and reviving the look of childhood innocence on the faces of adults. Spectacular structures, a wealth of interactive activities, games, entertainment and education will come together in Athens' loveliest garden. Our young friends are invited to take a magical journey through the National Gardens that will feature a village of small timber homes. Children will be able to participate in various activities, meet Christmas characters and listen to stories taken from the magical world of fairytales and dreams.

City of Athens Technopolis: Xmas / New Year's Pulse

On December 24 and December 31, 2008, the City of Athens Technopolis, in Gazi, will stage two major parties specifically for the city's youth.

Six well-known DJs and radio producers will play on specially-built decks and "talk" to the crowd only as they know how.

Kanari Square - Kypseli

Launch: Tuesday, December 16, at 19:00, with the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra

This year, for the first time, Kanari Square will be converted into one of the city's key Yuletide destinations with its own carousel, a large Christmas tree and plenty of festive lights.

Sotiris Petroulas Square - Kolonos

Launch: Tuesday, December 16, at 19:00, with DJ Yiannis Moutsatsos

Santa Claus will be stationed at his hut where youngsters can come along and take photographs with him, beside the Christmas tree on the festively-trimmed square.

"Christmas is everywhere... the city celebrates" - Events in City Districts

Starting December 7, 2008, and every day, music groups and art troupes will stage performances in Athens' neighbourhoods and City Districts. Athenians will once again have the chance to choose from a wide range of art events to be staged in numerous city neighbourhoods.

Organisers - Sponsors - Communication Sponsors

Athina Municipal Radio 9.84 FM, the City of Athens Cultural Organisation and the City of Athens Music Ensembles are the organizers of the municipality's Christmas festivities programme.