10 Things to Do in Santorini in December

Santorini is a popular tourist destination in the summer months, but in winter it becomes quieter and less crowded, making December an ideal time to visit the island. During this month you'll find it's cold and rainy, with temperatures hovering around 15°C during the day and 10°C at night, so it's easy to sign up for some of the best things to see and do in Santorini.

As for places to visit, many of the most popular tourist sites, such as the black sand beaches and blue-domed churches, will be open, but some restaurants, bars and shops may close for the winter. You should also be aware that major local events in December include the celebration of Christmas, New Year's Day and Epiphany.

Christmas is a highly anticipated event in Santorini, so the "Christmas Village" of the Santorini Municipal Organisation for Sports and Culture is a major attraction for visitors. This place is open every day and admission is free for the public, so you can enjoy a variety of attractions for all ages.

Inside the village you can skate on an ice rink to feel the cold of the season. It's a great activity to do after signing up for a tour of Santorini. You can also sign up for amazing activities dedicated to Christmas celebrations such as creative workshops and seasonal activities.

All this takes place amidst a magical atmosphere that is infused with the excitement that only children can experience. You'll love taking photos of the whole space which includes bumper cars, elf houses, a playground and carousel. Without a doubt, this is a great place to feel the magic of Christmas and let yourself be carried away by the joy of this time of the year.

Interesting details

• Price: Admission to this event is free, so you don't have to pay anything to enjoy it.
• Opening hours: the village is open from 16:00 to 22:00 from Monday to Friday. Also on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays it is open from 11:00 to 22:00. This event is usually held from the first week of December to the second week of January.
• Location: the event takes place at the Indoor Gym in Fira, Santorini.

The 6th of December is a very special day on the Greek island of Santorini, as it is the feast day of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. And while we're on the subject of fishermen, if you travel to the island during the first few days of December, you may be able to take a Santorini cruise. During the celebration, processions are held and religious ceremonies take place, followed by fun and festive activities in the village square.

St. Nicholas Day in Santorini is a unique experience if you like to get into the festivities of the places you visit, because you can get to know the rich and significant local culture. This holiday is an opportunity to learn about the island's history and traditions, as well as enjoy traditional music and dance. You can also sample the delicious local cuisine and take part in the general celebration together with the locals.

Details of interest

• Price: Santorini's St. Nicholas celebration is free of charge, so there is no entrance fee.
• Hours: St. Nicholas Day celebrations take place throughout the day, although they are usually held in the evenings.
• Location: This activity usually takes place in the city of Fira, which is the capital of Santorini.

Some villages such as Oia, Fira and Pyrgos not only hold Christmas decorations and special events to celebrate the festive season, but you will also find some shops and shops selling traditional sweets and cakes for the festive season. The range of shops and Christmas-related activity may vary from year to year.

Some of the traditional sweets and cakes you can find at these types of Christmas markets are kourabiedes, which are butter biscuits with almonds and melomakarona, which is a honey and nut biscuit. You can also find local wine and liquor, olives and extra virgin olive oil, handmade pottery and textiles, jewellery and other gift items.

Details of interest

• Price: you don't have to pay anything to enjoy these Christmas markets.
• Opening hours: In general, these markets operate almost all day long, from approximately 11:00 to 18:00.
• Location: These markets usually operate in Oia, Fira and Pyrgos.

If you find yourself in Santorini during the Christmas season, you can't miss the events dedicated to children on the island. You can find several shows for the little ones, in fact, one of the most popular is the one called "The Elves in the Christmas Factory". Within this event you can enjoy the magic and joy of the Christmas season, with playful and fun-loving elves involved in the creation of toys.

This event usually attracts visitors and locals alike, but you will also have the opportunity to experience the festive culture of the island and create lasting memories. During these types of children's Christmas events there are usually games of all kinds, as well as children's plays and musical areas to enjoy the different songs of the season.

Interesting details

• Price: You will have to pay around 30 euros to go to these children's events. Although prices may vary according to the type of event.
• Timetable: these events usually take place throughout the month of December and into January.
• Location: You can enjoy these events in different parts of the island, especially in the island's capital, Fira.

One of the things you can't miss in Santorini during the Christmas season are the interesting and fun pastry workshops. A professional chef will teach you the sweet touches, aromas and flavours of seasonal Greek desserts. In this type of pastry workshop you will have the opportunity to learn the best kept secrets to making delicious desserts ideal for the Christmas season.

Besides learning delicious Christmas recipes and gaining pastry skills with a pastry expert, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the company of locals who take the opportunity to show you their pride in their culinary culture. This is the activity for you if you consider yourself a foodie and want to learn how to create amazing Christmas desserts.

Details of interest

• Price: to participate in this type of event you will have to pay between 60 and 90 euros per person.
• Timetable: the timetable can vary, although these pastry workshops usually take place in the afternoons.
• Location: these workshops are usually held in Fira, which is where there is most Christmas activity.

Santorini is an island full of life, and in December, the atmosphere is even more festive thanks to the events scheduled for the Christmas season, one of the most fun being the Christmas Sports Workshops.

This is an excellent opportunity to experience winter sports in a warm and beautiful location such as Santorini. Generally these types of workshops are geared towards fitness and teach you tips and techniques to enjoy the season while keeping fit.

This type of workshop teaches you a wide variety of winter sports, including ice skating and snowboarding. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the Christmas spirit of Santorini, while getting to know the local culture and experience the festive and warm atmosphere that Santorini adopts in winter, especially at Christmas time. It is definitely a great way to learn a winter discipline from experienced professionals in this area.

Interesting details

• Price: to participate in this type of workshop you will have to pay around 40 euros per person.
• Timetable: these workshops take place in the afternoons throughout the month of December, although they often start at the end of November.
• Location: The workshops take place in the Fira region, although you can also find these special events in the Pyrgos area.

Another Christmas tradition in Santorini is directly related to the commitment to the environment, and that is the Recycling Games sponsored by the Greek Ecology Project. During this event you will have the opportunity to learn all about recycling and sustainability in sport. The event encourages participants to use eco-friendly materials and also teaches the importance of reducing waste.

If you are a nature lover and like to look for ways to care for the environment through different actions, I recommend you to participate in these recycling games. They are usually games of different disciplines, for example recycling games dedicated to basketball, and in the middle of this game you will not only learn the basics of recycling and how to do it, but you will also have the opportunity to demonstrate your basketball skills.

In addition, the event organisers are offering a variety of activities and workshops for players and spectators, including talks on sustainability in sport and art workshops using recycled materials. In this way, the Eco Recycling Game is a sporting event that not only promotes physical fitness, but also environmental awareness.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is generally free for these games.
• Time: The games usually take place during the second week of December, although they may change the date from year to year.
• Location: they usually take place in Fira or Oia, which are the regions with the most activities during the Christmas season.

In Santorini, the Christmas season is one of the most exciting times of the year and one of the events that is often promoted is the Christmas Ornament Making Workshop, which is a fun and entertaining activity that will allow you to develop your creative skills while learning sustainable techniques to create ornaments.

During the workshop you will learn how to create beautiful Christmas ornaments using recycled and eco-friendly materials. But in addition, the sponsors of this event usually offer the public, a lot of informative talks on how you could participate in protecting the environment and how this relates to the Christmas season.

The best thing about this type of workshop is that it is not only for adults, but also for children who want to learn how to create eco-friendly Christmas decorations while caring for the environment.

Details of interest

• Price: to participate in these workshops you will have to pay just over 30 euros per person.
• Timetable: these workshops generally take place from the first days of December until the last days of the month.
• Location: they are usually located in Fira, which is the capital.

Santorini is an island with a wide variety of activities and events during the Christmas season, and among them is the Evening of Traditional and Modern Island Music. This event is a showcase of the rich musical heritage of the island of Santorini, combining both traditional and modern music. Within this event you will have the opportunity to enjoy a night of live music and experience the authentic musical tradition of the island.

The stage is set for the occasion and local bands give live performances, creating a festive and enjoyable atmosphere. In addition to the music, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of sweets and drinks typical of the Christmas season. This evening is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the traditional and modern music of Santorini, and experience the local culture in all its diversity.

Details of interest

• Price: to participate in this evening you will have to pay just over 30 euros per person.
• Time: As this is an evening, it usually takes place during the early evening. It can usually take place during the second week of December.
• Location: Generally these evenings can take place in Fira or Oia.

During the Christmas season in Santorini, the island's Theatre presents an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Christmas story "Scrooge", produced and directed by Stella Karaberopoulou, which has become a long-standing tradition. This show features stunning scenery, live music and a cast of approximately 40 actors, making it a must-see event if you love theatre and culture.

The performance of Charles Dickens' "Scrooge" offers audiences an unforgettable experience by taking them through the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his encounters with the ghosts of the past, present and future. Live music and the performance of the actors bring the play to life to take you inside Dickens' world and narrative.

Details of interest

• Price: The Christmas Carol can cost approximately 20 to 25 euros per person.
• Schedule: This play is usually performed during the afternoon and evening, although schedules may change from date to date. It almost always starts at the end of November until the third week of December.
• Location: This play is presented by the Santorini Theatre in the city of Fira every year.