Attica Region Introduces Citywide Festive Strategy to Position Athens as a Year-Round Holiday Destination with Public Space Investments Growth in Greece

Published on December 30, 2025

Attica Region is working hard to establish Athens and the wider metropolitan area as a contemporary holiday destination, at the same level as major European capitals. Under a clear and well-studied strategy, Attica invests in all-season tourism to reduce the phenomenon of being exclusively a summer destination, while at the same time turning into an inclusive, four-season city. This is such a great and ambitious approach toward making sure Athens is ready for tourists during the peak summer months and less busy winter periods.

Flagship Christmas Initiatives: Transforming Athens into a Festive Destination

At the core of the region’s festive season strategy are two major Christmas events: the Protergia Christmas Village at Pedion tou Areos and the DEI Xmas West Park at Tritsis Metropolitan Park. These large-scale, family-friendly activations have attracted thousands of visitors daily and are significantly boosting the city’s visibility as a dynamic, year-round destination. The events showcase Attica’s commitment to offering high-quality public spaces and cultural experiences throughout the year.

The DEI Xmas West Park in the western suburbs of Athens has hosted live performances and cultural programs, offering a large-scale, open-access festive venue that remains free of charge. These events highlight the importance of public parks as cultural hubs and underscore the region’s focus on transforming them into functional spaces that are accessible and welcoming to all visitors.

Investing in Public Spaces: Enhancing Sustainability and Quality of Life

Attica’s investment in public infrastructure goes beyond holiday events, focusing on improving public parks and green spaces across the region. With over 40 million euros in European funding, the Region of Attica is committed to upgrading these spaces to improve the quality of life for local residents and enhance the overall visitor experience. These initiatives align with the city’s goal to improve its sustainability profile and create new urban landmarks that enhance Athens’ appeal as a year-round destination.

By enhancing its public spaces and investing in green infrastructure, Attica aims to build a future-proof city that caters to both residents and tourists, increasing the overall livability of the region. These upgrades are expected to foster economic growth by attracting more tourists and generating greater investment in urban development.

Nikos Hardalias on the Importance of Public Spaces for Tourism

Nikos Hardalias, the Attica Regional Governor, has emphasized the growing significance of public spaces as safe, functional, and welcoming venues for both locals and visitors. According to Hardalias, these parks are evolving into active hubs of culture and entertainment, offering free-access events that are financially sustainable. This reflects Attica’s strategy of enhancing tourism experiences by offering affordable, inclusive events that appeal to a wide variety of travelers.

Hardalias also noted that as international visitors increasingly seek authentic cultural experiences and quality public spaces, Attica is positioning itself to meet these expectations. The region’s emphasis on winter tourism and festive programming further strengthens its role as a year-round destination.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations: A Grand Finale to the Festive Season

To mark the arrival of the New Year, both the Protergia Christmas Village and DEI Xmas West Park will host large-scale public celebrations. The DEI Xmas West Park will welcome the New Year with live performances, headlined by Klavdia, while the Protergia Christmas Village will feature a New Year’s Eve street party with Eleni Foureira as the main performer. These open-access events reinforce Attica’s strategy of activating public spaces with cultural programming, making Athens an even more attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors during the winter months.

Future Tourism Growth: Attica’s Long-Term Strategy

As Attica continues to invest in its public spaces and tourism infrastructure, the region is poised for significant future growth in the tourism sector. The focus on year-round tourism will diversify its tourism offerings and ensure that Athens remains an attractive destination during all seasons, not just the summer months.

The investment in upgrading parks, promoting cultural events, and enhancing public spaces will drive tourism expansion, particularly among travelers seeking authentic, immersive experiences during the winter season. With sustainable tourism and smart city technologies at the heart of Attica’s development strategy, the region is poised to become a global leader in smart tourism, attracting more visitors and fostering economic growth.

Attica’s Vision for a Year-Round Tourism Hub

The development strategy of the Region of Attica for Athens to become a four-season destination represents a modern approach to tourism growth, with emphasis on quality and innovation. With investments in public space, high-profile events in the sphere of culture, and alternative forms of tourism, Attica positions itself in the long term in the global tourism market.

With initiatives such as the Protergia Christmas Village and DEI Xmas West Park, added to the continuous investments in urban development, Attica is improving not only the tourist experience but also the quality of life and sustainability in the city for residents. This approach will position Athens as one of the most popular destinations in the world, attracting tourists every month of the year and securing its future of growth and success in the fiercely competitive tourism arena.