On Saturday, December 29, thousands of visitors of all ages saw the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) transform into a brightly lit place of celebration during an impressive event that was free to attend thanks to a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The lighting of the SNFCC has become an institution since 2017, marking the start of the festive season in the city in a spectacular way, with a participatory experience of light, music, and joy open to all.

At exactly 7 p.m., thousands of LED lights, with a total length of 34 kilometers, lit up the 80 plane trees along the Canal, the three towering (12-meter) fir trees in the Market, decorated with more than 1,000 baubles, were revealed in all their glory, while the fountains in the Canal also took part in the spectacular show, dancing to two beloved Christmas songs: “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande and “Winter Wonderland” by Michael Bublé.

All of these elements combined to create an enchanting Christmas setting for a grand celebration at the SNFCC Agora, hosted by actress Eugenia Samara. The evening began with the Loop Quartet, a vocal ensemble that creates music exclusively with the power of the human voice. Carols, swing classics, and pop hits, from “Carol of the Bells” and “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” to “All I Want for Christmas,” were transformed into contemporary polyphonic experiences that thrilled the audience.

Next, Nina Mazani, one of the most dynamic new faces on the domestic music scene, took to the stage with a program designed exclusively for the evening, combining swing and jazz covers of big hits such as “Careless Whisper,” “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!”, “Let’s Get Loud,” “Hot Stuff,” and others.

The celebration also marked the official opening of the Biolumina Light Installation Festival at Stavros Niarchos Park. Featuring works by internationally renowned artists, as well as Greek artists selected through an open call by the SNFCC, the Lighting Installations Festival invites young and old alike, every day until January 7, from 5 p.m. to midnight, with free admission, to a meeting place where art becomes a dialogue between man and light.

The SNFCC Ice Rink has also opened its doors, welcoming skaters of all levels to dance on the ice while listening to their favorite Christmas tunes. Visitors will find the Ice Rink, as always, on the north bank of the Canal, where they can enjoy the illuminated spectacle of the SNFCC and the Choreographed Fountains as they twirl around on their ice skates. The Ice Rink is open daily until January 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with free admission. Online pre-registration is recommended here for better service to the public.

This year’s Christmas World at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center offers a rich and varied program of Christmas events every day of the month, including concerts, performances, films, and DJ sets. The highlight of it all is the New Year’s Eve celebration, which promises to be more spectacular than ever this year!

Major Donor of the SNFCC Christmas World: Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)