At a glance
31 December
Free concerts at Syntagma, Pedion tou Areos and the SNFCC.
6 minutes
On foot to the party in Pedion tou Areos.
~23:00
The last metros on New Year's Eve (2025). After midnight, walking or night buses.
1 January
Public holiday. The Acropolis and archaeological sites are closed, most shops are closed.
Where to celebrate, starting from Ioulianou 50
The order is based on distance from the apartment, and above all on getting back after midnight. The names and times are from New Year's Eve 2025; the programme for 2026 is announced in December.
Pedion tou Areos: the neighbourhood party
The Region of Attica holds a party in the park's Christmas Village. Last year it started at 23:00 with Eleni Foureira, ZAF and DJ Bobito, with music before and after midnight. Entry was free. It is the closest party to the apartment: 430 metres, at the end of Ioulianou, and you walk home whenever you like. For the village itself, the ice rink and the season's programme, see the guide to the Christmas Village.
🥂 From Ioulianou 50 to the Pedion tou Areos party
430 metres, a 6-minute walk. Tap the park to open the route in Google Maps.
On festive evenings the main alley fills up. On New Year's Eve people stay until after midnight.
The park's light show runs throughout the holidays.
A spot for the photo of the year.
Photos: Angels Apartments archive.
Syntagma Square: the city's big concert
The city's main celebration takes place in Syntagma Square, in front of the big Christmas tree. Last year it started at 22:00 with the City of Athens Philharmonic and continued with a concert by Kostis Maravegias and Rena Morfi, hosted by Nikos Moutsinas and Tonia Sotiropoulou. Just before midnight came the biggest drone show the city had seen, and the year changed with the countdown from the stage and silent fireworks, friendly to animals and children.
Getting back is the hard part: on New Year's Eve 2025 the metro stopped around 23:00 (last train from Omonia towards Kifissia at 22:39) and buses were withdrawn from 23:00. Night buses started after 01:00. Taxis are hard to find after midnight. From Syntagma to Ioulianou 50 it is 2.5 km, about 33 minutes on foot, via Panepistimiou and Patission, together with lots of people. Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes.
The clock on the stage counts down and the spotlights sweep the sky.
It is set up in front of Parliament, next to the tree.
The steps towards Amalias are a good viewing spot if you arrive early.
A meeting point if you lose each other in the crowd.
Photos: Angels Apartments archive · Tasos Datsis (fountain).
How to get from Ioulianou 50 to Syntagma
- Before 22:30: Line 1 from Victoria to Omonia, change to Line 2, two stops to Syntagma. About 12 minutes.
- On foot: Patission, Omonia, Panepistimiou to the square. 2.5 km, about 33 minutes.
- Back after midnight: on foot the same way or by night bus after 01:00.
🎆 From Ioulianou 50 to Syntagma
Metro until about 22:30, or a 33-minute walk. Tap Syntagma for the route in Google Maps.
SNFCC, Tritsis Park and Piraeus
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), Faliro: last year a party with Jerome Kaluta, Alexandra Sieti and Sunshine Pedro, festive lighting on the Canal, and the ice rink and the park open until 02:00. It is far from the apartment and needs a taxi, booked in advance.
- Tritsis Park, Ilion: a concert with Klavdia and DJ Playmen.
- Piraeus: the city welcomed 2026 with a light show on the Piraeus Tower.
The fireworks of 1 January 2018, three minutes after midnight.
Photo: Georgios Liakopoulos, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
New Year customs
On the morning of New Year's Eve children sing the New Year carols, for Saint Basil. In Greek tradition Saint Basil brings the presents at New Year, not at Christmas, which is why many homes open their presents after midnight.
As soon as the year changes, the vasilopita is cut. The first piece is for Christ, the second for the house, and then pieces are cut for each member of the family, from oldest to youngest. Whoever finds the flouri, the coin baked inside, will have luck all year. Many people smash a pomegranate on the doorstep for good luck, and it matters who is the first to enter the house in the new year, the «podariko». On 1 January everyone named Vasilis or Vasiliki celebrates their name day.
A sweet cake with almonds, baked on New Year's Eve. The neighbourhood bakeries sell it from mid-December.
The lucky coin. Whoever finds it in their piece keeps it all year.
Photos: Alexander Baxevanis (CC BY 2.0), Myrmigkaki (public domain), Wikimedia Commons.
What is open during the holidays
On New Year's Eve shops work until the afternoon and bakeries have queues for vasilopitas. 1 January is a public holiday: the Acropolis, archaeological sites and most shops are closed. Cafés, tavernas, kiosks and mini markets stay open, and the city wakes up late. The holiday events continue until 6–7 January, with the last big day being Epiphany.
Kathy's tip: if you don't want big crowds, start the evening at Syntagma with the Philharmonic at 22:00 and walk up towards Pedion tou Areos around 23:15. You will see in the New Year at the party in the park, 6 minutes from home, without hunting for a taxi.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the biggest celebration?
In Syntagma Square, with the City of Athens concert, a drone show and fireworks. The closest party to Ioulianou 50 is in Pedion tou Areos.
Do I pay to get in?
No. The concerts at Syntagma, Pedion tou Areos and the SNFCC were free.
Does the metro run after midnight?
No. On New Year's Eve 2025 it stopped around 23:00. Night buses started after 01:00, and the airport Express buses ran all night.
How far is Syntagma on foot?
2.5 km, about 33 minutes, via Panepistimiou and Patission.
Is the Acropolis open on New Year's Day?
No. The archaeological sites are closed on 1 January.
Are the fireworks loud?
At Syntagma the City uses silent fireworks. In the neighbourhoods, though, you hear firecrackers around midnight.
— Kathy
