Celebrating The Longest Night Of The Year In Athens

Athens is stepping into the festive season with a dynamic programme of open-air celebrations that culminate in one of the most exciting nights of the year. As part of the Municipality of Athens Festival, the city invites residents and visitors to experience a series of outdoor events that turn Athens itself into a living stage, full of music, movement, and holiday spirit.

On Saturday, December 20, neighborhoods across the capital, from Monastiraki and Victoria Square to Pangrati, Lambrini, Ermou, and Omonia, will come alive with ten different events unfolding simultaneously. From live bands and DJ-led street parties to jazz, classical music, dance happenings, and even wellness activities, the city encourages everyone to wander, celebrate, and rediscover Athens through sound and rhythm.

Dancing To Global Beats

Latin Christmas Party – Kerameikos (2:30 p.m.)
Salaminos Street transforms into a lively Latin-inspired celebration, complete with vibrant vinyl sets, street food aromas, and rhythms that evoke Rio, Havana, and beyond. A festive escape with a summery twist right in the heart of Athens.

Protogenous Street Festival (5 p.m.)
Protogenous Street becomes a creative hub filled with music, open shops, and a buzzing crowd. DJs kick off the festivities on December 20, while up-and-coming alternative bands take the stage the following evening, creating a two-night celebration of sound and local culture.

Lambrini Street Party (7 p.m.)
Electronic music takes over Lambrini as ENDEKA Athens hosts a high-energy event featuring some of the city’s most exciting DJs and producers. Lights, beats, and a lively crowd turn the northern neighborhood into a festive hotspot.

Calm & Wellness

Night Yoga – Rizari Park (7 p.m.)
For those seeking a slower pace, an evening yoga session beneath the trees of Rizari Park offers a peaceful pause from the holiday buzz. Open to all levels, this guided practice blends relaxation with the magic of a winter night outdoors.

Balkan Brass & Timeless Jazz

Agia Fanfara Parade (7:30 p.m.)
A 25-member ensemble of brass, woodwinds, and percussion fills the streets with Balkan-inspired rhythms, moving through Monastiraki and Avyssinia Square and inviting passersby to dance along.

A Christmas Piano Tale – Victoria Square (7:30 p.m.)
Solo pianist Melachrinos Velenzas demonstrates the storytelling power of the piano, weaving festive melodies into an intimate musical experience that captures the essence of the season.

Sinatra Reimagined – Pangrati (8 p.m.)
Classic Frank Sinatra songs receive a fresh jazz interpretation in Mesolongiou Square, with Dutch vocalist Alexandros Affolter joined by drummer Serafim Bello for a warm and soulful holiday performance.

Music, Dance, & Classical Flair 

Omonia Dance Takeover (8 p.m.)
The arcade of the Moxy Athens City Hotel turns into a vibrant dance floor, with well-known DJs and radio producers energising the city center through beats and movement.

The Storyville Ragtimers – Voukourestiou Street (9 p.m.)
Swing back in time to 1920s New Orleans as this ensemble revives early jazz traditions. Vintage sounds, lively rhythms, and nostalgic flair fill the pedestrian street with festive charm.

De Profundis Ensemble – Ermou Street (9 p.m.)
Classical music meets urban energy as De Profundis performs along Ermou, proving that timeless compositions can resonate just as powerfully in the open air as they do in concert halls.

These events form part of the initiative “Actions to Promote Tourism in the Municipality of Athens”, under the Attica 2021–2027 Programme, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, reinforcing Athens’ position as a vibrant holiday destination.