As the festive season gets underway, the world-famous Acropolis Museum in the heart of Athens is inviting visitors to get into the spirit of Christmas with an exciting program of events and activities.

At various dates in December and early January, the museum will host interactive activities for children, guided tours of the galleries, Christmas concerts, and offer a mouthwatering menu of traditional festive favorites at the on-site restaurant.

On Thursday December 22, at 11 am, the Museum will welcome the famous Greek National Opera’s Children’s Chorus for a Christmas concert, directed by Konstantina Pitsiakou. On Wednesday, December 28, at 11 am, the all-female Choir Ensemble “Chórεs” will present traditional carols and popular songs from the Greek and international repertoire, directed by Simela Emmanouilidou. These two concerts are organized in collaboration with the Greek National Opera. 

To see out the year, on Friday, December 30, at 11 am, the Efxinos Club of Episkopi Naousa in Imathia will present traditional carols and Pontian dances.

Evening Tours

Every Friday in December, museum archaeologists will offer guided evening tours of the Parthenon Gallery on the third floor, where visitors can admire the decorative sculptures from the Parthenon, regarded as the zenith of Classical Greek art. Also on display, in “dialogue” with the marble sculptures, are two ornately painted amphorae (storage jars), currently on loan from the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada until January 8. These unique artifacts reveal iconography that closely resembles the Panathenaic Procession, depicted in the temple’s 160m-long frieze. The tours will take place in English at 6 pm, and in Greek at 8 pm. Participation requires a general admission ticket to the museum.

After the tour, why not enjoy a festive dinner at the museum restaurant, located on the second floor, boasting spectacular views of the Acropolis. A festive lunch and dinner menu will be available from December 20 to January 8. Every Friday and Saturday, except December 24 and 31, the restaurant will remain open until midnight. To make reservations, call: (0030) 210 900 0915.

Watch out for cheeky goblins!

This Christmas, a band of cheeky goblins will descend on the museum to wreak havoc in its galleries. Teaming up with other mischievous creatures from Greek antiquity, including satyrs and the half-man, half-goat god of the wild, Pan, they will mix up the exhibits’ captions, causing chaos and confusion for the museum’s visitors. To fix the problem, the museum’s curators are asking for children to match the captions with right objects and help keep the troublemakers away!

The “Goblin … mix up” activity is ideal for children aged between 5 and 10. Registration is limited to 30 visitors per program, first come, first served, and participation is free for children (general admission fee for parents/escorts). This activity will run on Wednesday 28/12, Thursday 29/12, Wednesday 4/1 & Thursday 5/1, from 10 am to 12 noon, and is in Greek only.

Something for the Grown-ups

Every Saturday in December, the museum will host special guided walks, showcasing the hidden stories behind 20+1 masterpieces in its hallowed halls and galleries. These stories will demonstrate how myths and fables, historical events and human endeavor became immortalized in ancient Greek art. Tours will take place at 10.30 am in English, and at 12.30 pm in Greek. Participation requires a general admission ticket to the museum.

Still searching for Christmas gift ideas? Be sure to stop by the museum shop and browse its festive range, including beautiful decorations and jewellery.

For more information about this year’s program of events, visit the Acropolis Museum website.