The spirit of Christmas encapsulates a message of love and hope that can be expressed and experienced in countless ways, children being at the core of it all as they live the festive season’s magic and hope for a better New Year and future most intensely.
This Christmas season, Athens has plenty on offer for youngsters, promising to add warmth and sweetness to their souls, confirming what none of us should forget, that life, after all, is wonderful.
The Magic Circle, the most beautiful story in the world, and other such fairy tales
Events that console and also awaken, destructive actions and miracles that humans are capable of performing, human values, as well as worthy – and some unworthy – human beings, are the key elements of a play delving into human endeavor, the continual effort to overcome difficulties and rebuild to replace loss, sometimes flawed, sometimes not. This is a story about people who constantly change, yet, deep down, remain the same, people in constant search of a better life. It is a story about the wonder of life, despite the challenges.
For families with children aged 5 and above
December 27
Porta Theatre’s main stage
59 Mesogion, Athens
Tel: +30 210 7711333
Different type of Christmas tree
Through allegory, the Christmas tree takes on the meaning of a tree of liberty in a production offered by the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Aggeliki Hatzimihali” for children aged between 8 and 12. The realisation, by youngsters, of various allegories offered through Christmas tree decorations, telling stories of their own, promises to offer valuable life lessons.
Audience capacity of 20
December 19, 23 29
Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Aggeliki Hatzimihali”
6 Aggelikis Hatzimihali, Athens
Tel: +30 210 3243972, +30 210 3243987
Goblins and their mischiefs
Goblins, these unique and fascinating creatures appearing in Greek folklore, unveil their secrets for children aged between 4 and 8 as part of an entertaining Christmas workshop. The overall experience will offer children a better understand of the stories surrounding goblins and their roots, dating back to antiquity, through an educational programme with music, drawing and games.
December 18
Larisis Station Children’s Library
Larisis Station, Athens
Tel: +30 210 8810884
Mr. Scrooge’s Christmas
Ebenezer Scrooge is a rich, greedy and miserable human being. He is cold-hearted and despises Christmas, considering the occasion a major scam. One night, the ghost of his old business partner pays Mr. Scrooge a visit, warning that he has one last chance to change. On Christmas eve, three spirits of Christmas – the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come – point out his mistakes, highlighting people who carry Christmas spirit in their hearts every day of the year.
This superb Christmas tale of redemption by Charles Dickens sends out a message that love, giving and generosity are the secrets behind happiness.
Until January 12 (selected dates)
Ideal Cultural Complex
46 Panepistimiou, Athens
Tel: +30 210 4830330
Don Quixote
Miguel de Cervantes’ masterpiece novel “Don Quixote” takes the children’s stage of the Dimitris Horn Theatre, in a Magikes Svoures production directed by Dimitris Adamis.
Don Quixote proposes a new path in life that is brighter and more optimistic. He rides about with his horse, digging deep into his imagination to make the impossible possible, fend off evil forces and propose love in place of hatred.
The performance, filled with sensibility and incredible humour, hails – through Sancho, Don Quixote’s highly intelligent and faithful attendant – friendship and camaraderie, devotion to fellow man and the power generated by collective hope.
Besides acquainting young audiences with aspects of Spanish culture, this impressive production also offers them the opportunity to experience the achievements of a protagonist who loves the adventure of life and dares to live it, despite the obstacles.
December 19 to January 30 (selected dates)
Dimitris Horn Theatre, children’s stage (Theatro Mikro Horn)
10 Amerikis, Athens
Tel: +30 211 100 0365
Journey to the Centre of the Earth
The capital’s historic Akropol Theatre presents a staging of Jules Verne’s classic science fiction novel “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”, an adventure to the Earth’s core, through volcanic craters, leading to unknown exotic lands with carriages, trains and ships for meetings with dolphins, spiders, bats, prehistoric creatures and natives who stand as obstacles to the expedition. The protagonists, who remain united, ultimately prevail, their fame spreading around the world. The production, presenting a captivating, action-packed adventure filled with surprises, is enhanced with terrific music and imagery that triggers the imagination.
December 18 to January 30 (selected dates)
Akropol Theatre
9 Ippokratous, Athens
Tel: +30 210 364 8303
Petros’ big adventure
The date October 27, 1940, is forever ingrained in Petros’ mind, as it is the day his pet cricket died. The date is also made unforgettable by the outbreak of war. The young protagonist recalls his mother pleading: “Get up, there is a war, can’t you hear the sirens?” When the Italian forces were about to invade Greece, Petros was nine years old. He had a pet turtle and had read about war in books. But now, he was experiencing it as a reality, every day, along with his parents, grandfather and older sister, Antigone, as a new adventure. The young protagonist takes audiences through Athens during its occupation, the poverty-stricken period’s difficult times of hunger, breadlines, fear and persecution. Guided by the heroes of Greek history, the pre-teen, along with his sister and friends, does not hesitate to take part in the Greek Resistance, inspired by a particular song.
December 19 to January 9 (selected dates)
Vassilakou Theatre
3 Profitou Daniil, Athens
Tel: +30 211 013 2002
Bob Sfouggarakis, the musical
Bob, disappointed by his boss, Mr. Kavouris, who has no faith in his employee, gathers strength and decides to save the city with the help of his friends Patrick and Sandy.
Armed with sharp minds, braveness, smiles, humour and their friendship, the three friends reach beyond ordinary limits to counter lurking danger as well as fellow citizens. Will they manage to save the underwater world of Bikini from disaster and celebrate this Christmas with us?
The Christmas Theatre stage has been transformed into a spectacular underwater world for the production, a musical.
December 11-12 and 18-19
Christmas Theatre
137 Veikou, Galatsi
Tel: +30 211 7701700
Masha and the Bear
“Masha and the Bear”, a major theatrical production based on the characters of the popular Russian animated television series, returns to Athens, at the Christmas Theatre, for a Christmas performance in the Greek language, featuring impressive sets, costumes as well as magical video projections.
Young theatregoers will have the chance to experience the amazing adventures of Masha, a friendly yet restive young girl, and her best friend, a caring bear who used to work at the circus. Together, they have the time of their life. Masha is full of energy, boundless curiosity and always keen to try new experiences, which often leads to problems, big and small. She is also very friendly and treats everybody around her like friends of old. One day, she flees from her grandparents’ house, wanting to discover the world and live new experiences. Along the way, inside the forest, she stumbles upon the home of a quiet and friendly bear, who is livened up by this unexpected meeting. Young Sasha will encounter many dangers, as many traps and surprises always lay hidden in forests. But, with the help of her beloved friend, the Bear, she will make many friends whom she will truly love. As all begins to progress ideally, Christmas arrives, leading to new adventures as the protagonists await Santa Claus.
January 5
Christmas Theatre
137 Veikou, Galatsi,
Tel: +30 211 7701700
Discovering the park and creating natural ornaments
An action workshop through which participants of all ages learn about winter characteristics, also enables the creation of natural ornaments through the use of seeds, fruits, leaves and branches.
The Forest Group represents a highly original educational approach using the oldest laboratory the world has to offer, nature, as a field for learning and development. Led by natural seasonal stimuli, younger and older participants, through games and movement, have contact with natural materials and appropriately designed activities offered by educational experts. Participants are given the opportunity to reconnect with nature and understand their role in it, while also developing environmental awareness.
December 19, 23, 27
*The workshop on December 27 will be held exclusively for SNFCC members
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre
Mediterranean Garden
For families with children aged between 4 and 12 (30-person limit per slot)
Free entrance (online pre-registration needed)
Christmas adventures
A fun activity comes to the SNFCC Park during Christmas time, featuring games, music and movement.
This holiday season, the Christmas Elves have designed unique games for the SNFCC’s younger friends!
Take part and search for the hidden Christmas baubles, play with the inflatable reindeers, fill up the Santa stocking, and participate in all the surprise games organized by the Elves! The Christmas spirit comes to life again this year at the SNFCC, in the company of the Elves.
24, 29 December & January 4
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre
Great Lawn
For children aged 4-12. Up to 30 participants per 30-minute slot.
Free entrance (online pre-registration needed)
Shooting stars and wishes
Children aged between 6 and 11 are offered the opportunity to participate in an entertaining, interactive activity based on the most popular festive-season theme, shooting stars that make most important wishes a reality, at the Athens Municipality Arts Centre, next to Mavili Square and Parko Eleftherias (Freedom Park).
Stars handcrafted by participating children will be used to decorate the art centre’s Christmas tree, spreading beauty and love.
December 16, 18, 21
10.30am
Athens Municipality Arts Centre
Mavili Square, Athens
Tel: +30 210 7248150, +30 210 7232604
Christmas at the Municipal Gallery of Athens
A unique visual art workshop for children aged 6 and over will enable its young participants to create paintings, depicting their versions of Christmas to the tune of festive-season music, at one of the city’s earliest neoclassical buildings, hosting the Municipal Gallery of Athens.
Creative youngsters will appreciate this workshop (free entrance).
December 18, 19
11.30am & 12.30am
Municipal Gallery of Athens
Tel. +30 210 5202420-21
