With a full programme of events and activities for all ages, including a Christmas park in the heart of the city, activities for the whole family and various events, the festive season of Christmas and New Year in the Municipality of Chania begins earlier than ever before.
The lighting of the central Christmas tree in the Venetian Harbour of Chania will take place on Saturday, 22 November 2025, at 19:00, in the square next to the Yali Tzamisi, where the Mayor of Chania, Panagiotis Simandirakis, will officially open the festive season and the Christmas events of the municipality.
The announcement of the Christmas events was made during a press conference held today, Monday 17/11/2025, at the Center of Mediterranean Architecture (KAM), by the Deputy Mayor of Culture, Giannis Giannakakis, the Deputy Mayor of Tourism, Nektarios Psaroudakis, and the Deputy Mayor for Environment, Sanitation & Greenery, Michalis Tsoupakis.

“Every year, Chania, both in its suburbs and in the city centre, gets more festive, with a special emphasis on the entrances to the city,” Mr Psaroudakis noted, thanking all those involved. “In every suburban area we create decorated spots in collaboration with local communities, so that the entire Municipality becomes more festive throughout its expanse.”
As for the city centre, he said that in the coming days, more decorations will be placed — hanging, freestanding and overhead. “On Tzanakaki, Papandreou and Tsouderon streets, overhead decorations will be installed, while impressive Christmas decorations will be placed in squares and pedestrian streets.
Recently renovated streets surrounding the Open Commercial Centre will be decorated, and new ornaments will be added to Tsouderon and Mousouron streets.”

Mr Psaroudakis also announced the creation of the Christmas Park at 1866 Square, which will feature 15 kiosks for the Christmas market and 5 kiosks for volunteer groups, along with daily activities that aim to make 1866 Square a festive landmark of the city. The Christmas Park will open on 15 December, and interested parties may submit applications to the Municipality of Chania's registry or via email to dimos@chania.gr.

Deputy Mayor of Culture Giannis Giannakakis said:
“On Saturday 22 November we invite everyone to the Venetian Harbour, in the square behind the Yali Tzamisi, where we will light the tree and launch this year’s celebrations for Christmas and New Year 2025–2026.
The event will begin at 19:00, featuring the Chania Municipal Philharmonic and the Children’s and Youth Choir of the Municipality of Chania, and will culminate with an appearance by Sofia Manousaki, in a more rock and pop style — a direction that has led her to sold-out performances across Greece.
At the same time, there will be a free photobooth (‘photoboothaki’) and aerial dance performances.
Weather conditions are expected to be good, and our spirits high, so we can kick off the festive season with positive energy.”

The Department of Greenery, Environment & Sanitation will also participate again this year, as Mr Michalis Tsoupakis explained, with planting of seasonal flowers to enhance the image of the city.
In the coming days, more plantings will take place in various spots such as Dikastirion Square, Elena Venizelou Square, the Municipal Garden of Chania, the Peace and Friendship Park, and throughout the city centre. In suburban areas where artificial Christmas trees used to be placed, 3‑metre cypress trees will now be planted and decorated during the holidays.

From the list of decorated spots, of course, the Venetian Harbour of Chania could not be missing. Again this year, its buildings and boats will be decorated — an image that has travelled all over Greece.

Due to the number of events and the continuously expanding programme, there will be detailed and timely updates about the Municipality’s holiday events on the official website www.chania.gr, the culture site www.chania-culture.gr (which will once again feature a dedicated Christmas section), as well as through the municipality’s official social media channels.