Christmas Day in Greece

Religious meaning and the holiday period

Christmas, or Xristougenna, commemorates the Nativity of Jesus and is one of the joyful feasts of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes the Christmas holiday period as extending through January 6, the Feast of the Holy Theophany, also known as Epiphany.[2]

Church services are part of the feast’s religious observance: the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese describes Christmas Day worship as commemorating Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, the shepherds’ adoration and the arrival of the Wise Men.[4]

A compulsory public holiday

Article 60 of Law 4808/2021 lists Christmas Day, December 25, as a compulsory public holiday for businesses and work generally that do not operate on Sundays and public holidays. The same official list includes December 26, so the day after Christmas is also a compulsory holiday.[1]

Greek labour law generally prohibits industrial, commercial and professional activity on public holidays, as well as employing staff for that work, but the Labour Ministry notes that exceptions apply to certain types of businesses and employees. Employees who work on a public holiday are entitled to additional pay under the rules summarized by the Ministry.[1]

Carols, boats and seasonal foods

Groups of children traditionally go from house to house singing kalanda, or carols, on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. They are usually accompanied by a triangle, though other instruments may be used. The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs also notes the custom of decorating small boats, a tradition associated with Saint Nicholas, alongside the more recent practice of decorating Christmas trees.[2]

Christmas food varies by region. A government portal on Greek agricultural traditions describes Christopsoma, or Christ breads, decorated with dough ornaments such as crosses and flowers, and pork as a frequent main ingredient. It also records regional dishes: msoura in Central Macedonia, bambo in Thrace, roasted piglet in the Peloponnese and giaprakia in the Dodecanese.[3]

Honey cookies called melomakarona and almond sugar cookies called kourabiedes are associated with the start of the Christmas festivities. The Christmas season continues into New Year traditions, including Vassilopita, a cake with a hidden coin.[2]

What to expect on the day

For practical planning, expect ordinary commercial activity to be restricted: the Labour Ministry says commercial work is generally prohibited on public holidays, subject to exceptions. The law’s holiday status does not establish that every shop, service or transport route follows the same schedule, so check directly with a specific business or operator before travelling.[1]