Festive season at the Acropolis Museum, December 2019

The Acropolis Museum invites visitors to a festive season full of activities during December 2019. Creative mobile workshops for children, gallery talks for adults, Christmas music from the Jazz Octet, famous musical songs from the S.T.A.B. saxophone quartet and special gifts at the Acropolis Museum shops, means there is something for everyone to enjoy during this festive season.

Children’s workshop “Festive stories”

What kind of festivals did the ancient Athenians have and which were the children's favourite? Let’s discover them at the Acropolis Museum and bring to life the emotions that these feasts brought to children and adults alike. 

Days & hours: Saturday 21/12, Sunday 22/12, Saturday 28/12 & Sunday 29/12, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. 

Duration: 90 mins

Ages: 6-11 years old

Participacion: Participation for children is free. A general admission fee (5€) is required for parents/escorts

Reservations: For registration, please visit the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day (25 children per workshop)

The workshops are held by the Department of Educational Programme – Acropolis Museum and the Department of Information & Education – Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA).

Gallery talks “The lost statue of Athena Parthenos”

The Acropolis Museum brings to life, digitally, the statue of Athena Parthenos. Made of gold and ivory, this masterpiece was designed by Phidias for the Parthenon. The Museum invites you on a walk of discovery about its construction materials and techniques, its myths, radiance and adventures.

 Days & hours: Saturday 7/12, Saturday 14/12, Saturday 21/12 & Saturday 28/12, at 11 a.m. in English and at 1 p.m. 

Duration: 50 mins

Participation: The gallery talk is free of charge. Only the permanent exhibition ticket is required (5€). Limited to 30 visitors per session. For registration, please visit the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day.  

Gallery talks at the exhibition “Chisel and memory. The contribution of marble craftsmanship to the restoration of the Acropolis monuments”

Visitors will have the opportunity to attend presentations of an exceptional exhibition of photographs of the marble craftsmen of the Acropolis at work. The temporary exhibition was organized by the Committee for the Conservation of the Acropolis Monuments and the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA).

Days & hours: Saturday 14/12, Saturday 21/12 & Saturday 28/12, at 12 noon

Duration: 40 mins

Participation: The gallery talk is free of charge. Limited to 25 visitors per session. For registration, please  isit the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day.  

nSunday 22 December,at 12 noon, the Acropolis Museum will host theJazz Octet of the Athens Military Guardfor a music concertincluding jazz and Christmas world renowned melodies,on the ground floor of the Museum .

On Sunday 29 December, at 12 noon, the Acropolis Museum will host the well-known S.T.A.B. saxophone quartetfor a New Year’s music concert  ncluding renowned musical songs, on the ground floor of the Museum.

 On Tuesday 31 December, at 12 noon, the Association of Asia Minor “Nees Kydonies” will sing traditional New Year’s carols on the ground floor of the Museum.

The Acropolis Museum Charm for 2020
According to myth the tortoise won the race over the hare, the former with his patience and dedication winning over the flippant self confidence of the hare. The ancients considered that the benevolent tortoise protected them from the evil eye and that its blood was an antidote to poison. A tortoise lead weight featuring a tortoise in relief of the 3rd to 1st century BC inspired the Museum’s charm of 2020. You can see the original exhibit in showcase 2 (no.11) of the Gallery of the Slopes at the Acropolis Museum.

Festive meals and Christmas mood at the restaurant

During the festive season, the Museum restaurant will serve traditional festive meals and sweets. Christmas jazz nights are also taking place every Friday night by famous jazz music ensembles. For reservations please contact the restaurant during Museum opening hours on +30 210 9000915.

The 11th birthday of the Acropolis Museum, 20 June 2020

On Saturday 20 June 2020 the Acropolis Museum celebrates 11 years and welcomes back its visitors. The Museum  re-open on Monday 15 June and has undertaken all the necessary measures for the protection of  its visitors.

On Saturday, the Museum will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. with a reduced entry (5 euro) to all exhibition areas. Additionally, visitors will have the opportunity to see the temporary exhibition ‘Chisel and Memory'. The contribution of marble craftsmanship to the restoration of the Acropolis monuments’, which will continue until 30 September 2020. The Museum's second floor restaurant will operate until 12 midnight .

Gallery talks held by the Museum’s Archaeologist-Hosts will commence this week. Visitors wishing to participate are required to wear a protective mask (not provided by the Museum) and to use the whisper guide system headsets (provided by the Museum to participants).

‘The lost statue of Athena Parthenos’

The Acropolis Museum brings to life, digitally, the statue of Athena Parthenos. Made of gold and ivory, this masterpiece was designed by Phidias for the Parthenon. The Museum invites  visitors on a walk of knowledge to find out more about its construction materials and techniques, its myths and allegories, its radiance and its adventures.
Greek: Every Friday at 1 p.m.
English: Every Friday at 11 a.m.
Duration: 50 minutes
Participation: Limited to 10 visitors per session. For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. First-in first-served.
Price: The general admission fee (€10) to the Museum  will cover this experience.

‘A walk through the Museum with an archaeologist’
Visitors have the opportunity to participate in evening walks through the Museum exhibition galleries, making unanticipated stops and various discussions, together with an Archaeologist-Host.
Greek: every Friday, at 8 p.m.
English: every Friday, at 6 p.m.
Duration: 60 minutes
Participation: Limited to 10 visitors per session. For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. First-in first-served.
Price: The general admission fee (€10) to the Museum will cover this walk and talk.

‘Walking in the ancient neighborhood of the Acropolis Museum’

Visitors are given the opportunity to wander through the archaeological excavation which stretches underneath the Museum, like a giant exhibit. They will be able to walk on the ancient neighborhood’s streets, take a closer look at the houses with their courtyards and wells, enter the heart of the impressive mansions with the private baths, examine the workshops with the water reservoirs, take a magical stroll through time and the daily life of the people who lived in the shadow of the Acropolis’ rock for over 4,500 years.
Greek: every Saturday & Sunday, at 1 p.m.
English: every Saturday & Sunday, at 11 a.m.
Duration: 45 minutes
Participation: Limited to 10 visitors per session. For registration, please refer to the Information Desk at the Museum entrance on the same day. First-in first-served.
Price: The general admission fee (€10) to the Museum is required (on Saturday 20/6 the general admission fee will be reduced to €5).