Meet an underwater Santa Claus and a mermaid!

The Cretaquarium is a top destination for visitors to Crete during the summer, but at Christmas, it becomes a hub of festive magic for locals and tourists alike. With its unique events, the aquarium offers an unforgettable holiday experience.

In 2024, Cretaquarium will once again host the one-of-a-kind “underwater” Santa Claus, who will dive into its amphitheater-shaped tank! Accompanying Santa’s dives will be the beautiful mermaid Euryale, spreading joy, warm wishes, and environmental messages to visitors of all ages.

On Epiphany Day, January 6, 2025, the festivities will conclude with the traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremony.

Detailed Event Program

Saturday, December 21, 2024

• 11:00–12:00: 1, 2… 3. Dough in the pan! Festive Christmas cookie-making workshop.
• 12:00–12:40: Santa Claus dives into the aquarium.
• 13:00–14:00: Magician Roko presents a show to enchant young and old alike!

Sunday, December 22, 2024

• 11:00–12:00: Designs – Festive art workshop, “Shall we decorate?” with Dimitra.
• 12:00–12:40: Santa Claus dives into the aquarium.
• 13:00–14:00: Designs – “The seabed gets festive!” Painting workshop with Dimitra.

Monday, December 23, 2024

• 11:00–12:00: A fantastic dive into the aquarium! Guided tour of the Cretaquarium (reservation required).
• 12:00–12:40: Santa Claus dives into the aquarium.
• 12:20–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: Creative ventures at the aquarium! Crafts with natural materials for anything your imagination can create.

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

• All day: BINGO Games along the aquarium tour for the whole family.

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

• All day: BINGO Games along the aquarium tour for the whole family.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

• 11:00–12:00: Colorful Fairy Tales – A music and storytelling performance of folk tales with Evangelia Orfanoudaki.
• 12:00–12:40: Santa Claus dives into the aquarium.
• 12:20–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: Magician Roko presents a show full of smiles and magic!

Friday, December 27, 2024

• 11:00–12:00: Theater play “Rumpelstiltskin,” a Brothers Grimm tale by Sxhma 7.
• 12:00–12:40: Santa Claus dives into the aquarium.
• 12:20–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: Geo-Move for primary school children, with dancer-choreographer Gogo Petralis, accompanied by cello music by Manos Sgouridis.

Saturday, December 28, 2024

• 11:00–12:00: “The Goat’s Conspiracy,” puppet show by Kou-Klo.
• 12:00–12:40: Santa Claus dives into the aquarium.
• 12:20–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: “Mystery in the Deep,” a Christmas theater game with Nikos Chalepakis, Despoina Zoforianaki, and Ioanna Somarakaki.

Sunday, December 29, 2024

• 11:00–12:00: “What is a Jellyfish Doing in the Aquarium at Christmas?” Live painting and storytelling with illustrator Lida Varvarousi.
• 12:00–12:40: Santa Claus dives into the aquarium.
• 12:20–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: Theater game, “A Drop of Willpower,” to help fulfill your dreams, with Nikos Chalepakis and Ioanna Somarakaki.

Monday, December 30, 2024

• 11:00–12:00: A dance activity for children and parents with Gogo Petralis.
• 12:00–12:40: Santa Claus dives into the aquarium.
• 12:20–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: “Santa Claus in the Deep” with Ioanna Themeli. A workshop with pencil, paper, and boundless creativity.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

• All day: BINGO Games along the aquarium tour for the whole family.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

• All day: BINGO Games along the aquarium tour for the whole family.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

• 11:00–12:00: “The Big Fish Scare,” puppet show by Kou-Klo.
• 12:15–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: Magic tricks with Magician Roko in a show that will delight all ages!

Friday, January 3, 2025

• 11:00–12:00: Theater play “Rumpelstiltskin,” a Brothers Grimm tale by Sxhma 7.
• 12:15–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: Books on Stage with Evangelia Orfanoudaki, presenting “Frikantela, the Witch Who Hated Carols” by Trivizas.

Saturday, January 4, 2025

• 11:00–12:00: Combining marine biology and puppetry, presented by Evi Kampouraki and Maria Solanou.
• 12:15–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: “The Adventures of Stalitsa.” A performance filled with storytelling, action, and dance, featuring Irini Mathioudaki and Konstantinos Papamattheaakis.

Sunday, January 5, 2025

• 11:00–12:00: Crete Planetarium – Projections in the dome.
• 12:15–13:00: The mermaid swims with us.
• 13:00–14:00: Crete Planetarium.

Monday, January 6, 2025

• All day: The Blessing of the Waters ceremony, with the mermaid swimming alongside.

Photos: Theano Dandari