This holiday season, the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation presents a rich and joyful festive program filled with creative activities for children, families and adults alike. From December 20 through January 7, the Museum becomes a vibrant cultural destination, offering a wide range of workshops, performances, guided tours and special events that celebrate art, imagination and togetherness.
The festive program includes children’s activities such as the beloved Christmas Art Camp, creative workshops for different age groups, theatrical performances, family-friendly guided tours, concerts for all ages and special adult-focused experiences, including interactive tours and a ceramics workshop. At the same time, the Museum Shop offers carefully curated Christmas gift ideas, while seasonal treats await visitors at the Museum’s Café-Restaurant.
Children’s Activities
This Christmas, the Museum becomes a secret festive destination for young art explorers. On December 24, 29, 30 and 31, children aged 5 to 10 are invited to take part in a magical Christmas Art Camp, where the Museum transforms into a creative holiday studio and each child becomes the protagonist of their own artistic journey.
Drawing inspiration from the Foundation’s permanent Collection as well as the major temporary exhibition “From Monet to Warhol,” children encounter sculptures, paintings and iconic works that spark their imagination and inspire their own creations.
For more information here.
Creative Workshops for Children
Throughout the festive season, the Foundation welcomes its youngest visitors with a variety of creative workshops.
On December 21 and January 2, the workshop “Tabletop Colors” invites children aged 2–4, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, to explore art through storytelling, messy play and theatrical play.
On December 20 and 27 and January 3, the workshop “Super Shield!” invites children aged 5–7 to invent their own superhero and create a pop art shield inspired by the comic-style aesthetic of Roy Lichtenstein.
On Sundays, December 21 and January 2, children aged 5–8 take part in “The World, Reimagined,” a workshop that uses theatrical play to stimulate imagination, explore responsibility and change, and raise environmental awareness.
On Saturdays, December 20 and 27 and January 3, children aged 8–10 explore the surreal world of René Magritte in the workshop “The House with the Windows,” transforming the façade of a simple house into a mysterious visual scene.
For more information here.
Theatrical Performance for Children
On December 21 and January 2, as well as every Sunday, children’s theatre meets the magical brushstrokes of Pablo Picasso in the popular performance “Hot Chocolate with Picasso.” Written and directed by Notis Paraskevopoulos, the show brings the masterpieces of the great Spanish artist to life through storytelling, imagination and theatrical play. For more information here.
Music Events
On Friday, December 26, the Sunny Side Trio takes the stage at the Foundation’s Auditorium as part of the “Jazz at the Museum” series. The ensemble performs beloved jazz standards alongside original compositions, balancing tradition and contemporary expression while highlighting the power of the female voice. For more information here.
On Sunday, December 21 at 12:15, the Children’s Choir of the Athens Conservatoire fills the Museum with festive spirit, performing Christmas carols and seasonal songs in the entrance hall, in front of the decorated Christmas tree. Admission is free. For more information here.
On December 28 at 12:00, the square of Agios Spyridon in front of the Museum will resonate with festive melodies performed by the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra. Admission is free. For more information here.
Activities for the Whole Family
On December 20 and 27 and January 3, 5 and 7, families are invited to experience art together through interactive guided tours designed to spark curiosity and imagination. The journey begins with the permanent Collection and culminates in the exhibition “From Monet to Warhol,” offering a shared, hands-on encounter with art. For more information here.
Designed for audiences aged 2–5 and adults over 65, the intergenerational performance “Shall We Dance?” is presented in the Auditorium Foyer on selected dates in December and January. The performance celebrates the idea that very young children are perceptive and intelligent spectators, while also highlighting the presence and importance of older generations within our social fabric. For more information here.
Adult Activities
Adults and teenagers aged 15 and over are invited to create their own ceramic ornaments under the guidance of ceramic artist Elpida Kourtzi. The Christmas ceramics workshop takes place in two sessions on Fridays, December 12 and 19. For more information here.
On Saturday, December 20 and Sunday, December 21, participants explore the luminous movement of Neo-Impressionism through selected works from the exhibition “From Monet to Warhol.” Following the guided tour, participants create their own Christmas cards inspired by the pointillist technique. For more information here.
On December 27 and January 9, art historian and mindfulness instructor Lydia Petropoulou invites visitors to experience selected works from “From Monet to Warhol” through guided mindfulness practices, offering a moment of calm reflection within the Museum setting. For more information here.
Christmas Shopping at the B&E Goulandris Shop
The B&E Goulandris Shop adds its own festive touch with a wide selection of original Christmas gifts and ornaments inspired by the Foundation’s Collection. Visitors can find Christmas decorations, tree ornaments, scented candles, festive textiles, serving trays, 2026 diaries and the Foundation’s New Year charm for 2026, a pendant inspired by Henri Matisse’s album “Jazz.” For more information here.
Festive Treats at the B&E Goulandris Café-Restaurant
During the holiday season, the Museum’s Café-Restaurant welcomes visitors with a variety of festive treats. Alongside hot chocolate, children can enjoy a specially designed kids’ menu, while adults can warm up with mulled wine. Complimentary popcorn and cotton candy will also be offered in the Museum’s outdoor area, adding an extra festive touch for visitors of all ages. For more information here.
