The Christmas lights in central Athens have been switched on, a bit too soon some say, but others greeted the sight, and the start of the festive season, with happy smiles. This year’s Christmas tree in Syntagma Square is a 19-meter fir tree which was brought from the forest in Karpenisi.
The tree is illuminated with 350,000 lights, and the rest of the square has also been generously bedecked, featuring a giant sparkling teddy bear, a Christmas train, and hot air balloon decorations, and glittering fairy lights in all of the trees. The lights above the main streets have also been switched on.
The lighting ceremony was not announced in advance to avoid overcrowding on the square, but plenty of locals still gathered to enjoy the mood and snap some photos i of the holiday scene.
Here are some of our favorite first photos of central Athens dressed in lights:
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