Μake us preferred on Google Christmas arrived early in the northern Greek village of Taxiarchis, where residents and visitors gathered Saturday evening, November 7, to light what was described as the country’s first Christmas tree of the season.
The centerpiece of the celebration was an approximately 15-meter-tall fir tree illuminated in the village’s main square, drawing a large crowd and marking the beginning of the Christmas season in the area.
The lighting ceremony took place after the Great Vespers service on the eve of the feast of Archangel Michael, the village’s patron saint. The Polygyros Municipal Philharmonic accompanied the event with festive music.
The annual celebration has become an established tradition in Taxiarchis, a village on the slopes of Mount Holomontas in the Halkidiki region of northern Greece.
A tradition rooted in local Christmas tree production
The choice of November 7 is closely linked to both the village’s religious traditions and its local economy.
Every year, residents gather in the main square on the eve of Archangel Michael’s feast day to light the Christmas tree. The ceremony also marks the start of the season for cutting and selling Christmas trees.
Taxiarchis is known for its fir tree cultivation, which provides an important source of income for many local families. Trees grown in the area are transported each year to cities across Greece, where they are sold to decorate homes and businesses.
For local producers, the annual lighting is therefore more than a festive occasion. It also serves as a symbolic opening to the Christmas tree trading season.
