HOLIDAY


People celebrate the carnival season in Athens
IMAGES

A man grills meat to be distributed to revellers, in front of city’s main meat market, during the celebrations of Tsiknopempti or “Smoky Thursday,” dedicated to grilling of meat, part of the Greek Carnival season in Athens, Thursday.


Cabbies treat elderly to holiday cheer
IMAGES

Participants in the “Ride of Love” initiative take a photo in front of the Christmas tree on downtown Athens’ Syntagma Square on Thursday night.


Holiday opening hours for retail stores in Greece
ECONOMY

Holiday opening hours for retail stores ahead of the New Year are as follows: Shops will be open on Friday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., on Saturday from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. (with shopping centers and supermarkets staying open until 8 p.m.).

The Greek origins of Santa Claus
SOCIETY

As we edge closer to Christmas, we explore the Greek origins of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, an early Christian bishop who inspired the legend of Santa Claus.



Athens metro and tram holiday schedule
NEWS

During the holiday period leading up to New Year and Epiphany, Athens metro and tram lines will operate on a modified timetable with reduced services. All rail services will conclude by 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.


Thessaloniki, where Santa Claus is SUPing to town
SOCIETY

Santa may be about to don his big red suit, hitch up the reindeer to the sleigh and take off from the icy north pole, but things are done a little differently in Thessaloniki. Bringing some festive cheer to the northern city, over 30 people on SUPs took to the waters of the Thermaic Gulf on Saturday dressed in Santa outfits.