This past weekend Heraklion Mayor Vassilis Labrinos lit the Christmas tree in the heart of the Christmas Castle at Eleftherias Square.
Shortly after 9 PM the mayor flipped the switch to illuminate Heraklion’s traditional Christmas tree and to kick of the holiday season before several thousand onlookers.
The evening also included Christmas melodies from the Municipality’s philharmonic orchestra and a spectacular fireworks display. Mayor Labrinos also congratulated organizers for creating what has become the city’s central Christmas time attraction, the Christmas Castle and the surrounding market that becomes a hub for city dwellers young and old.
The mayor urged those attending the festivities to “become children once again” as he called for people to unite in the celebration of the year’s most memorable events.
Walking about the city the past few days we’ve already noticed Heraklion dressing up for the season with amazing decorations and streets bristling with residents anticipating Christmas and the New Year. Even though heavy rain and cold hit before the lighting of the tree, spirits don’t seem dampened in the least.
Everyone seems ready to congregate around the colorful wooden house in the Christmas village which are always stocked with candies and other festive treats, arts and crafts, pottery, and surrounded by music and theatrical performances.