Christmas 2018 Events at the Acropolis Museum in Athens

The Acropolis Museum. Photo © Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

The Acropolis Museum in Athens is welcoming the Christmas holiday season with workshops, music events and a number of surprises for all.

Festivities begin on December 22, and will last until Saturday, January 5, 2019.

Gallery talks

The visitors of the Acropolis Museum, during the holiday season will have the opportunity to enjoy the exhibition titled “From the Forbidden City imperial apartments of Qianlong”, which includes rare artifacts associated with China’s Emperor, Qianlong (1711-1799), presented to the public for the first time.

Gallery Talks: “From the Forbidden City imperial apartments of Qianlong”. Photo Source: Acropolis Museum

English: Every Friday at 11am.

Greek: Every Friday at 1pm, every Saturday & Sunday at 11am & 1pm.
Extra talks on Monday 24/12 and Monday 31/12, at 11am.

Participation: The gallery talks program is free of charge. Only the admission fee to the temporary exhibition is required (3 euros). For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. Limited to 25 visitors per session. First-in first-served. Duration: 60 minutes.

The exhibition will last until February 10, 2019.

Music at the Museum

On Sunday, December 23, at 12pm, the Acropolis Museum will host the Chronos music ensemble of the Athens State Orchestra in a music concert, which will be held at the ground floor. Chronos will perform carols and traditional Christmas melodies.

Furthermore, on Sunday, December 30, at 12pm, the Acropolis Museum will host the renowned music band The Swingin’ Cats in a New Year’s concert at the ground floor.

The Lucky Charm of 2019

Acropolis Museum’s lucky charm for 2019. Photo Source: Acropolis Museum

The Acropolis Museum’s good luck charm for 2019 is inspired by one of the decorative details of the architecture of the first, large temple of Athens, the Hekatompedon (early 6th cent. BC).

This first grand “Parthenon” signified the beginning of the great dominance of the city of Athens in the early 6th century BC. The decorative detail consists of incides, painted palmettes and lotus flowers. Υοu can see the Hekatompedon in the Archaic Gallery on the first floor.

Festive meals and Christmas jazz

During the festive season, the museum’s second floor restaurant will serve traditional meals and sweets. Christmas jazz nights are also taking place every Friday night by renowned jazz music ensembles.

The Acropolis Museum. Photo © Giorgos Vitsaropoulos

In addition, during the Christmas holidays, the museum will hold two events for children: A workshop titled, “Wishes and symbols”, and storytelling sessions with artist Karmen Rouggeri. Participation to both programs has closed.