Christmas in Chios

    For the people who want to spend Christmas time on the Chios Island,
we decided to present some interesting possibilities to utilize this amazing period well. Thaks to that, these holidays will stay in your memory for a long time.
During the Christmas,  the houses in Chios are very richly decorated.

In the big gardens you can see the stables with the figures of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, but also the Santa Clause, his small helpers, the elves, reindeers and many other symbols of Christmas.
Especially unusual is the sight of lemons tree which are also decorated with the small lights.
Some hotels and restaurants organize special presentations of Christmas decorations.
Because it's a time of meetings with family and friends, you can walk all together through the shining streets, seeing the beautifully decorated houses.
    The strong sailing traditions on the Chios Island are reflected in the ways of celebrating of holidays by the residents and their habits. During Christmas time, children visit their neighbours, singing the songs and demonstrating handmade models of the ships. The ships are also a part of decoration of houses and gardens. Usually they are the models of warships, because the tradition is related with a time of the liberation of Chios from the Ottoman occupation. It's the gesture commemorating the brave Greek fleet, which has liberated the island.
Over time, models of the ships were so carefully created, that people decided to organize a competition, for the first time in 1976. Ever since, every New Year’s Eve groups of children and youths walk to the central square of Chios City, Vounakiou or meet at Homerion Cultural Centre.

    They present their models to the passers, sing traditional carols and "penemata", improvising songs that look alike the carols from Asia Minor and contain wishes for the up-coming year, as well as comic comments regarding to the current events.
This custom is named “Protochroniatika Karavakia”, which means New Years Little Boats. At the end, the group that made the best creations is awarded and walk in the neighborhoods of the town with their model singing the “penemata”.
Wherever you decide to spend your holidays, I wish you a magical, unforgettable Christmas time and successful start of the New Year.