Welcome to the ultimate guide for immersing yourself in the Christmas spirit and traditions of Greece!
Christmas is coming and nowhere else in the world celebrates the festive season quite like Greece! It is all about celebrating and enjoying the holiday season with friends and family. You’ll find lots of decorations, lights, and delicious food, all of which create a warm and cheerful atmosphere. The official celebrations start on December 24 and continue for 12 days until Epiphany on January 6th.
We have compiled some essential information to help you discover where to go, what to see, and, most importantly, what to eat during Christmas in Greece!
- Know your Saints!
In Greece, before Christmas, people celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. While in other countries, St. Nicholas – who is similar to Father Christmas – is associated with gift-giving and children receive presents, this is not the case in Greece. In Greece, St. Nicholas is associated with the navy, and many celebrations are held aboard boats.
Around this time of year, there are also several other Saints’ days – both before and after St. Nicholas Day – that are seen as the start of winter. Traditionally, Greek households lay out their warm carpets by St. Andrew’s Day on November 30th before enjoying the feast of St. Barbara on December 4th, St. Savvas’s Day on December 5th, and St. Anne’s Day on December 9th.
- Christmas Decorations
In Greece, boats used to be the traditional centerpiece of Christmas decorations instead of Christmas trees. Boats are significant to Greeks as they are a maritime nation. Many seafaring family members return to shore during the holidays, and these boats serve as a safe passage home while also being decorative. Some boats are small and displayed on mantelpieces or tables, while others are large, like the three-masted ship erected annually in Thessaloniki’s Aristotelous Square. However, over time, Christmas trees have become increasingly popular, and now many families decorate their homes with both Christmas trees and boats.
- Christmas Eve
In Greece, the real start of Christmas is on December 24th. This day is marked by traditions such as singing carols called “kalanda”. Children go from house to house with musical instruments like triangles and drums, singing songs that tell Christmas stories and praise the homeowner. If they sing well, they may get some money and treats like “melomakarona” (honey-soaked cookies) or “kourabie” (almond shortbread with powdered sugar). Melomakarona along with the kourabiedes are traditional desserts prepared primarily during the Christmas holiday season, also known as finikia.
Christmas Eve is also when Greeks bake the traditional Christmas bread called “Christopsomo”. Each region has its own variation of this round loaf, but all include a cross to honor the religious aspect of Christmas, as well as nuts like almonds to symbolize prosperity. The loaves are often decorated with symbols that represent the household’s work, for example, fishermen for a family that makes a living by fishing. On this night, many Greeks attend midnight mass. For those who have been observing the 40-day Christmas fast, this is the time to finally end their fast and enjoy some delicious festive food!
- Christmas Day
On Christmas Day, Greeks gather with family and friends to feast on Christopsomo and other festive treats. Important Note: No gifts are given on that day!
- New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a special day that involves a variety of traditions. One such tradition is “podariko”, where the first-born or ‘lucky’ child of the family is required to enter the home first, leading with their right foot. Another tradition involves smashing a hanging pomegranate above the front door, which is believed to bring good luck. The more pomegranate seeds that fall on the doorstep, the better the luck.
On New Year’s Day, also known as St. Basil’s Day, Greek children receive their Christmas gifts from the kind-hearted St. Basil. Although different from St. Nicholas, St. Basil is also known for his benevolent qualities. This day is also marked by eating a special cake called “vasilopita“, which contains a coin. Whoever finds the coin in their slice is believed to be blessed with good fortune in the coming year.
On 6th January (Epiphany Day), many Greeks jump into cold water to retrieve a cross blessed by a priest to mark Jesus’ baptism into the Greek Orthodox Church, which also signals the end of Christmas in Greece.
- Christmas Food
In Greece, Christmas food is all about utilizing the finest local and seasonal ingredients, which is consistent with the country’s cuisine throughout the year. “Avgolemono”, a thick and rich lemony chicken soup, is a common starter during the festive season. Spanakopita, a favorite year-round dish of spinach and feta pie, is also a popular addition to the Christmas table.
Pork and lamb are the typical centerpieces of the holiday feast, roasted to perfection and sometimes cooked outside on a spit. The meat is usually served with roasted potatoes and “lahanophylla yemista”, which is cabbage rolls stuffed with pork. “Moschari lemonato”, a rich beef stew cooked in thick gravy with lemon, is also a popular alternative to whole roasted meat.
During Christmas in Greece, sweet treats are an important part of the food culture. There are many different types of sugar-coated and honey-infused delicacies to choose from, including the following:
– Milopita: A jammy, spiced Greek apple pie
– Karydopita: A syrupy walnut cake that tastes like baklava
– Diples: Fried pastries that are covered with walnuts and syrup
– Kariokes: Walnut-filled chocolate crescents
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Here’s a wrap-up of the essential things to know about celebrating Christmas in Greece:
– In Greece, the gift-giving figure is Saint Basil (Aghios Vasilis), not Saint Nicholas.
– Christmas presents are usually exchanged on New Year’s Day instead of on Christmas Day.
– Greece has unique holiday symbols, such as decorated boats and a massive Christmas tree.
– Enjoy the Greek Christmas carols, known as Kalanda, which have distinct melodies and lyrics based on Christian stories.
– Take part in the Epiphany celebration on January 6th, which commemorates the baptism of Christ.
– Experience the impressive Great Sanctification of Water ceremony on the Epiphany, which involves blessing bodies of water and a thrilling cross-retrieval diving tradition.
– Savor the flavors of traditional Greek Christmas cuisine, including succulent pork, stuffed turkey, mulled wine, raki infused with honey, and mouth-watering Christmas cookies called kourabiedes and melomakarona.
Kala Christougenna!! That’s Merry Christmas in Greek!
We had an amazing time in Crete and it was Christmas!