If you’ve noticed shops staying open later this week, you’re not imagining it. Greece’s special Christmas and New Year shopping hours are now in effect, giving shoppers extended evenings, open Sundays and more flexibility right through to New Year’s Eve.
Commercial associations across the country have activated the festive timetable, which most stores in Athens, Thessaloniki and other major cities are now following. While exact hours can vary slightly by area, the framework is well established and already rolling.
What the Festive Shopping Schedule Looks Like Right Now
From this point forward and until the end of the year, shoppers can expect longer weekday hours and weekend access that’s rare for Greece.
Most retail stores are now operating:
- Monday to Friday from early morning until 21:00
- Saturdays with extended afternoon hours
- Selected Sundays open, mainly in December
This is the most shopper-friendly period of the year in Greece — and it’s designed to spread out crowds and support last-minute gift buying.
Sundays When Shops Are Open
One of the biggest changes expats notice is that shops are legally allowed to open on select Sundays during the holiday season.
Stores are currently permitted to open on:
- The upcoming Sunday before Christmas
- The final Sunday of December
On these days, most shops operate between 11:00 and 18:00, especially in central shopping areas, malls and high-traffic streets.
Pro tip: Smaller neighborhood shops may choose shorter Sunday hours or stay closed entirely — malls and chains are your safest bet.
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & What Actually Closes
As always in Greece, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day follow strict traditions.
- Christmas Eve (24 December) Shops are open, but close earlier than usual, typically by early evening.
- Christmas Day (25 December) Everything is closed. No shopping, no exceptions.
- 26 December (Synaxis of the Theotokos) Also a public holiday — most stores remain closed.
If you need groceries, plan ahead. Supermarkets usually follow the same rules, with reduced hours on Christmas Eve and full closure on the 25th and 26th.
Between Christmas and New Year
After Christmas, shops reopen and return to extended festive hours almost immediately.
- Late evenings resume
- Another Sunday opening follows
- New Year’s Eve (31 December) operates with shortened hours, usually closing by early evening
New Year’s Day (1 January) is, again, a full public holiday with shops closed nationwide. Many businesses also take it slow on 2 January, reopening later in the day or sticking to reduced hours.
What This Means for Expats
If you’re used to last-minute shopping or flexible schedules, this is the window to use. Outside of the holidays, Greece returns quickly to more limited retail hours and mostly closed Sundays.
Our take: Do your bigger shopping now, avoid Christmas Eve crowds, and don’t expect anything to be open on official holidays — Greece doesn’t bend those rules, even for tourists.
