On Sunday 1 December 2024, thousands of visitors of all ages saw the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) transformed into a bright place of celebration during a glittering event held thanks to a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). The festive lighting of the SNFCC every 1 December has become an institution for visitors as, since 2017, they flock to see the SNFCC’s Christmas World come to life.

At exactly 19.00, thousands of LED lights, with a total length of 34 kilometres, lit up the 84 plane trees along the Canal, the three towering (11 metres) fir trees of the Agora, decorated with more than 1. 000 balls, were revealed in all their glory, while the Fountains on the Canal joined in the spectacular spectacle by dancing to two Christmas favourites: ‘Feliz Navidad’ by Jose Feliciano and ‘Winter Wonderland’ by Michael Bublé.

All these together created an enchanting Christmas scenery on which a great celebration was set up at the Market of the SNFCC, hosted by the actress Smaragda Karidi. The evening began with Vox The Acapella Group, the first pop polyphonic group in Greece to use the human voice as a musical instrument. Then, Sophia Stratis enchanted the audience with a program that combined soul-funk melodies and Christmas song arrangements.

Yesterday’s celebration was also the official opening of the Festival of Lighting Installations in Stavros Niarchos Park. Six lighting installations by leading foreign and Greek artists created an experience of light and sound that captivated young and old alike. The light installations are open daily from 01/12/2024 to 07/01/2025 with free admission from 17.00 to midnight.

Also, the SNFCC’s Ice Skating Rink started its operation and is waiting for all skaters, experienced and non-experienced, to dance on the ice while listening to their favourite Christmas tunes. As always, visitors meet the Skating Rink on the north bank of the Canal where they can enjoy the illuminated spectacle of the SNFCC and the Choreographed Fountains as they swirl on their skates. The Ice Rink is open daily until 07/01/2025 from 10.00 in the morning until 22.00 in the evening with free admission-you encourage to register here for your better service.

In this year’s Christmas World of the SNFCC every day of the month a rich programme of Christmas events awaits visitors, culminating in the spectacular New Year’s Eve!