After a journey across Mount Parnon, Santa’s compass has gone missing once again! This Christmas, we invite you to help us find it. On Saturday 28 November, the magical hunt for Santa’s lost compass begins, and Vamvakou Santa School opens its doors.
From the afternoon onwards, the village square fills with music, performances and festive colors. At 18:00, Santa arrives… by bicycle! The lights of Vamvakou shine brightly, and the big party with the Wedding Singers band gets underway.
A day for the whole family: games and missions for children, live music and a festive stroll around the village for grown-ups.
This Christmas, we’re off to Vamvakou!
Program of the day
11:00–17:00 | Vamvakou Santa School opens its doors! (School)
An inflatable climbing wall, a maze, a balance course, wooden skill games and a snow-globe photobooth – each activity will reveal another piece of the Lost Compass.
*Admission:10€
15:30–18:30 | Bamba and Kou have caught the Revival bug! (Village Square)
Two women portray the village grandmothers, who have caught the “revival bug” and become the ultimate Christmas hosts in an interactive performance for the whole family.
Concept: Flora Kalomoiri | Performers: Flora Kalomoiri & Afroditi Vervenioti
15:30–20:30 | Face Painting (Village Square)
Elves, reindeers and snowflakes come to life on children’s faces with color, sparkle and plenty of imagination.
Facilitator: Happy Elephant
15:30–20:30 | Christmas Photobooth (Village Square)
At the Green Screen Photobooth, children and adults may pose against spectacular Christmas backdrops and travel, if only for a moment, to snowy landscapes, Santa’s workshop, a world of sparkling decorations and a magical winter wonderland.
Facilitator: Happy Elephant
15:30–16:00 | Christ is born in the city of Bethlehem (St Charalambos Church)
Christmas is a celebration and a miracle, because the Light, begotten before all ages from the Light, is born again to illuminate the world and keep alight the thousands of little lights of the heart. A secret light is kindled inside the church and will go out to proclaim its joy in the square of Vamvakou! With the narrative performance “The Gospel of Christmas,” Byzantine hymns and carols from all over Greece, the Children’s Choir and the Byzantine Choir of the Holy Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta take us on a journey to the deeper meaning of the Holy Days. Be there!
16:00–16:30 | “From Summer to Christmas”: Piano Four Hands (Parking space)
A musical journey from the charm of summer to the magic of Christmas. The piano tells the story of two seasons: the poetic sensitivity of Amy Beach’s Summer Dreams and the fairytale world of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. A journey filled with images, emotions and dreams, where music meets imagination.
Performers: Vasilis Gavvaris, Tatiana Nikolopoulou
17:00–18:00 | Music Schools Meet-up: From the SNFCC to Vamvakou – The Concert (Village Square)
Following the highly successful meet-ups held at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), students from the Music Schools of Argolida, Kalamata “Maria Callas”, Corinth and Tripoli come together in Vamvakou for a unique concert of traditional music.
Concept and Artistic direction: Haris Lambrakis
Instructors: Katerina Douka, Martha Mavroeidi, Konstantinos Meretakis, Periklis Papapetropoulos
18:00–18:15 | Christmas lights up in Vamvakou (Village Square)
The moment has arrived! Vamvakou lights up, and Santa arrives… by bicycle, ready for the countdown. The village square’s magnificent Christmas tree will be illuminated… powered by pedaling!
18:15–20:15 | Wedding Singers Live (Village Square)
Beloved songs and timeless hits performed live by the Wedding Singers in Vamvakou’s village square.
20:15–22:00 | XMAS DJ Set with Niko G (Village Square)
Christmas melodies and favorite festive songs in fresh new versions, with beats that will get you out of your seat!
