The biggest and most festive Christmas Market in Greece is called Oniroupoli, and it’s held in the town of Drama every December and January. Many foreigners have never heard of the Drama Christmas Market, which is a shame, because if you want to experience a magical Greek Christmas, Drama should be your first stop!
We spoke with representatives from the Hotel Association of Drama, the local tourism organization in the town, to help you get everything you need to plan the perfect visit to the Oniroupoli Christmas Market this year!
Read Next: Essential Greece Packing List for Every Season
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Where to Stay in Greece
If you’re visiting Greece any time soon, you’ll probably spend some time in Athens before moving to discover other amazing places in the country. In that case, it’s a good idea to check this accommodation guide to Athens to find the best places to stay in Greece’s capital. Check this article as well, if you’d like to book a room with unforgettable Acropolis views.
Remember that booking early is always the best way to get better prices and nicer rooms! We recommend checking out Booking.com as early as possible since this is a popular time to visit. These are some of the places we suggest you check.
Budget: If you’re looking for a budget hotel in lively Monastiraki, book a stay at Fivos Hotel. Located right by Monastiraki Station, the hotel has free wifi and ensuite bathrooms. Check out prices and availability at Fivos Hotel here.
Mid-range: If you want more traditional accommodation, stay at the Kimons Athens Hotel in Plaka. The rooms are cozy and there’s a roof terrace that guests can enjoy. Check out guest reviews, prices, and availability at Kimons Athens Hotel here.
Luxury: To enjoy a bit of luxury in Monastiraki, check into the four-star Emporikon Athens Hotel on Agia Irini Square. The rooms are sophisticated and swanky, with a traditional take on comfort. Check out guest reviews, prices, and availability at Emporikon Athens Hotel here.
How to Visit Oniroupoli, the Drama Christmas Market
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip to the Oniroupli Christmas Market:
What are the dates and times for the 2021 Drama Christmas Market?
Photo by Elias Konstantinidis provided courtesy of the Hotel Association of Drama.
The market opens on the first days of December and runs through the fourth of January. You can visit the market each day from 10 am until 10 pm.
Where is the market located?
Photo by Elias Konstantinidis provided courtesy of the Hotel Association of Drama.
You’ll find the Drama Christmas Market set up in the Municipal Garden and the center of town.
What kind of entertainment will there be for adults?
Photo by Elias Konstantinidis provided courtesy of the Hotel Association of Drama.
There are special concerts, outdoor markets, ice skating, and handicrafts for sale.
In addition to the festivities for adults like ice skating, children can also visit the booths for face painting, meeting with Santa Claus, special holiday games, and special youth activities like cooking and creating ornaments.
What kind of goods will be for sale?
Photo by Elias Konstantinidis provided courtesy of the Hotel Association of Drama.
Visitors will find booths with ornaments, Greek souvenirs, drinks, and food for sale.
What kind of food and drinks will be available?
Photo by Elias Konstantinidis provided courtesy of the Hotel Association of Drama.
Is there a ticket price to get into the events?
Photo by Elias Konstantinidis provided courtesy of the Hotel Association of Drama.
There is no ticket price to visit the Christmas market.
Are there any other special festivities in Drama this December or January that travelers might want to attend?
Photo by Elias Konstantinidis provided courtesy of the Hotel Association of Drama.
Drama is a great destination to visit year-round! During the year, you can enjoy the caves, alternative tourism, wineries, and nearby monasteries.
In Drama in winter, you can enjoy Marathon races and there are traditional “Dionysian customs” held in January, in addition to visiting the ski resort at Falko.
How can travelers learn more?
Photo by Elias Konstantinidis provided courtesy of the Hotel Association of Drama.
We have our recommendations and resources for visiting Greece below. I want to thank the Hotel Association of Drama for answering our questions about this spectacular event! For more detailed information about the market, check out Visit Drama.
Where to stay in Drama
We’re in the process of creating comprehensive guides on where to stay in various Greek cities, but for now, we recommend checking out Booking.com as early as possible since this is a popular time to visit the city.
What to Pack for Greece in Winter
We have an entire Greece packing list that includes exactly what to bring to dress for winter in Greece, but here are some essentials you don’t want to miss!
A Guidebook – While travel blogs are great, we also definitely see the benefit of having a good paper guidebook in hand to refer to in your on-the-ground travel. We own and recommend the Lonely Planet Greece book.
An ultra-light down jacket: You can wear this on its own or pair it with a warmer jacket for colder days. This rolls up and packs easily in your day bag so it’s good to bring along – I have one really similar to this (women’s) but there’s a men’s version as well. If you want to be warm, I recommend a winter jacket like this North Face parka which I’ve owned for years and years.
Motion sickness pills: Great for bus rides especially on mountain roads such as if you’re going to Meteora – I buy these non-drowsy ones. You can also try these natural motion sickness bands which use acupressure to reduce nausea – they work pretty well.
Read More: Essential Greece Packing List: What to Wear & Pack for Greece
More Greece Travel Resources
Hanging out in front of the Christmas trees downtown Heraklion, Crete
First read our guide to planning a trip to Greece, which covers visas, budgets, vaccines, and much more. We also have a guide on tipping in Greece, so you know what to expect.
If you are still trying to figure out your Greece itinerary, check out our guides on where to go in Greece, the best places for island hopping in Greece, and when is the best time to visit.
If you’ll be spending time in the capital, check out the best things to do in Athens in winter, our Athens Instagram guide, the best Athens day trips, and our complete Athens hotel guide.
We also have Athens safety tips so your trip can be hassle-free. We are currently working on our mega-post of things to do in Athens as well as our itineraries, so stay tuned!
Since you’ll be visiting Greece in winter, you can also check out our guides to visiting Crete in Winter and Rhodes in winter.
We publish new content about the Balkans almost every day! For more information about traveling to Greece and the Balkans, bookmark our Greece and Balkan travel pages so you can find out what’s new before your trip.
Don’t Forget About Travel Insurance!
I’m sure you’re aware that it’s a good idea to have travel insurance for traveling in Greece, the Balkans, or anywhere in the world!
Allison and I have both been paying customers of World Nomads for the last three years. We love the peace of mind it gives us in case of emergencies, accidents, illnesses, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.
While Athens is safe, there’s always a risk inherent in everyday travel like theft or injury, so it’s better to play it safe. The saying goes “if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel,” and we think it’s true!
>> Get a travel insurance quote for your trip here <<
Pin this Guide to Visiting the Oniroupoli Christmas Market for Your Trip!
Stephanie has been living in and traveling around the Balkans for the past three years. She’s written for National Geographic Online, appeared on CNN Arabic and in the New York Times, and ridden more Balkan buses than is good for a person.
