Christmas in Tbilisi 2026/27: Markets, Lights, New Year’s Eve & Georgian Traditions

A complete guide to spending Christmas and New Year in Tbilisi, Georgia – including the best Christmas markets, festive illuminations, NYE fireworks, Orthodox traditions, and practical travel tips.

Christmas in Tbilisi is not a one-day affair. Georgia’s festive season lasts for a full month – from the moment the city lights are turned on in mid-December, through to the enormous New Year’s Eve celebration, Orthodox Christmas on January 7, and the final traditions of Epiphany on January 19.

In between, the capital is filled with illuminations, markets, concerts, and the never-ending wizz-and-bang of fireworks. Families prepare feasts, bazaars are filled with unusual wooden Christmas trees, and one of Georgia’s most beautiful religious traditions takes to the streets.

I have spent no fewer than six festive seasons in Georgia, and I always look forward to celebrating the holidays here!

This guide is for anyone visiting Tbilisi between mid-December and mid-January. Inside, I cover what’s happening on specific dates, which traditions you can easily experience as a visitor, and my tips for planning your trip.

→ Also see my complete guide to visiting Tbilisi in winter

Planning a Christmas trip to Tbilisi?

Download my free Tbilisi Christmas Calendar & Map for a date-by-date overview of the festive season.

(2026/2027 edition available soon).

When is Christmas in Tbilisi? Key dates for 2026/27

Georgia is an Orthodox Christian nation, and the church follows the ‘old’ Julian Calendar. So instead of celebrating Christmas on December 25, Christmas in Georgia is 13 days later, on January 7.

That doesn’t mean December is quiet… Quite the opposite. New Year’s Eve on December 31 is the biggest night of the festive season. Western Christmas on December 24-25 is observed by Tbilisi’s Catholic and international communities, and Orthodox traditions carry through until the middle of January.

Here are the key dates to know:

What will be happening during your visit?

When planning your trip, here’s what to expect at different stages of the festive season:

Before December 24: Official Christmas Village and lights, plus different private fairs and events on selected dates.

December 24–25: Markets and lights, plus Western Christmas services, and special dinners and brunches. December 25 is an ordinary working day.

December 26–30: Markets and lights, theatre and ballet performances, and an increasingly energetic atmosphere as the city gears up for New Year’s Eve.

December 31-January 2: Peak celebrations – New Year’s Eve, fireworks, family feasts, parties, and two public holidays. Some businesses and attractions close.

January 3–7: A more traditional side of Georgian Christmas, with quieter streets and an introspective mood. January 6 church services and the Alilo procession on January 7. Some businesses and attractions remain closed.

January 8-19: Old New Year on January 14 and Epiphany rituals on January 19.

Christmas markets in Tbilisi 2026/27

There are two categories of festive markets in Tbilisi: The official city-run Christmas Village or New Year Village, which is open for several weeks, and independent Christmas fairs, which are smaller and held on specific days during December.

Official Tbilisi New Year Village

This is Tbilisi’s main festive attraction and the one to prioritise if you want a classic Christmas market atmosphere with lights, food, and Georgian-style frivolity.

The New Year Village is normally set-up around the city’s main tree. It features a pop-up market of wooden stalls that sell Georgian crafts and souvenirs, plus food stands, children’s entertainment, music performances, and festive installations. There’s also an ice rink, a toy train, workshops, and a Santa’s House for kids.

It has a European Christmas market vibe with lots of Georgian details – regional crafts, traditional sweets and mulled Saperavi wine.

Last year’s dates: December 12, 2025-January 14, 2026, midday-10pm.

Last year’s location: First Republic Square, near Rustaveli metro station.

Fabrika Christmas Fair

This event brings together independent makers who sell ceramics, jewellery, clothing, art prints, ornaments, retro posters, and other items. Last year, around 45 vendors participated. I always save my Christmas shopping for this event!

The former Soviet sewing factory’s courtyard fills with stalls, and there are big band performances and festive drinks from the resident bars and cafes.

The Fabrika Christmas Fair is usually held on the weekend preceding Western Christmas (so in 2026, the market may be held on December 19-20 – TBC).

Last year’s dates: December 20-21, 2025, 1pm-9pm.

IWA Winter Fair

One of Tbilisi’s biggest annual charity fairs, this event is organised by the International Women’s Association of Georgia, bringing together international exhibitors, handmade gifts, festive food, and more. It happens at Expo Georgia in late November, and is a great opportunity to do some early holiday shopping.

Confirmed 2026 date: November 29, 10am-6pm.

STALL Christmas Agrarian Market

If you’re a foodie, keep an eye out for this seasonal gastronomic market organised by STALL and the FAO, which features artisan cheese, locally made products, and street food.

Last year’s event: Held at Dedaena Park (near the Dry Bridge Market) on December 20-21, 2025.

Biltmore Christmas Market

Two festive markets are planned at the Biltmore Tbilisi Hotel on Rustaveli Avenue, featuring local designers, handmade gifts, artisan products, and festive treats.

Confirmed 2026 dates: December 13 and 27, 12pm-7pm.

More Christmas fairs to look out for

In past years, there has also been a Gardenia Shevardnadze New Year Fair, various book markets and pop-up gift markets in and around Orbeliani Bazaar and Shardeni Street. Chateau Mukhrani near Mtskheta also hosts a Christmas market.

In early December, look for the Botanical Garden Christmas Chocolate Festival, which brings together 30 Georgian chocolate producers. In 2025, it was held on December 6-7.

I will add more confirmed events here as they are announced.

Christmas lights & decorations in Tbilisi

One of the best things to do in Tbilisi at Christmastime is simply walk around the city at sunset and after dark. Every year, elaborate festive decorations are installed along the main avenues, with sparkling canopies of lights, illuminated figures, and oversized decorations.

The lights go on when the Tbilisi Christmas Tree is inaugurated in mid-December, and come down in early January. The theme changes from year to year (World Landmarks; the Solar System), but the locations are always the same.

Rustaveli Avenue and Freedom Square is the main spot. Lights are strung above Rustaveli Avenue – from Freedom Square all the way to Rustaveli metro station – with the avenue’s theatres and historic buildings providing a wonderful backdrop for additional light displays on the footpath.

First Republic Square hosted the city’s Christmas tree in 2025/26, a departure from its previous position in front of Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue. I expect that the tree will be in the same location this year, along with the main Christmas Village.

Orbeliani Square and Atoneli Street have also been dressed up in previous years. Orbeliani Palace (pictured below right) sometimes has a festive display that includes an arrangement of traditional Georgian chichilaki Christmas trees (more on those below).

Suggested Christmas lights walk: Start at Freedom Square, take a detour through Orbeliani Square and Atoneli Street, then walk up Rustaveli Avenue towards First Republic Square to see the main Christmas tree. Continue a little ways up Kostava Street for more lights, and finish at the beautifully decorated Rustaveli–Mtatsminda Cable Car station, where you can ride up to Mtatsminda Park for panoramic views over the illuminated city.

Inauguration of the Tbilisi Christmas Tree

The official lighting of the Tbilisi Christmas Tree marks the start of the season, and is accompanied by a large concert. In 2025, the ceremony started at 8pm and included ballet, acrobatics, live music, and a performance inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Star-Child.

If you’re visiting when the Christmas Village opens – date TBC, but expected on Friday December 11, 2026 – it’s definitely worth attending.

Christmas ballet, theatre & concerts

For a special night out during the festive season, there are plenty of ballet and classical music performances. Tbilisi has a beautiful Opera and Ballet Theatre on Rustaveli Avenue (pictured below), while other venues around the city host visiting dance troupes, festive concerts, and family-friendly theatre productions.

The Nutcracker is usually performed in January by the Georgian State Ballet, which has its own adaptation of Tchaikovsky’s classic. Choreographed by Nina Ananiashvili and Alexey Fadeechev, this version has a Georgian twist: Parts of the story take place at the Dadiani family’s home and at Mtatsminda Park in Tbilisi!

Confirmed stage performances for 2026 include:

• December 3 – Swan Lake: Performed by the Royal Classical Ballet (Berlin) at Griboedov Theatre. Tickets and details.
• December 4 – The Nutcracker: Another production by the Royal Classical Ballet (Berlin) at Griboedov Theatre, this time featuring the famous Christmas ballet. Tickets and details.
• December 19 & 26 – Winter Tales by Candlelight: The UK-founded international chamber music collective Mystery Ensemble will perform Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions from The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty at Vakhtang Salaridze Concert Hall. More details.

If you’re visiting with kids, keep an eye on the wider program at Griboedov Theatre. Last winter, it hosted seasonal performances of The Snow Queen, Morozko, and other musical fairy tales, with shows continuing into January. Some productions are in Russian so check the language before you book.

Finally, the Tbilisi State Conservatoire has hosted an international music festival every December since 1997. The 2025 program featured six concerts between December 2-23, ranging from jazz and organ music to classical piano and chamber orchestra.

I recommend checking TKT.GE and Biletebi.ge for announcements and more events.

Western Christmas Eve & Christmas Day in Tbilisi (December 24–25)

December 25 is a regular day in Georgia, with the majority of restaurants, businesses and government offices operating as normal. If you celebrate Western Christmas and you would like to mark the occasion in Tbilisi, here are some ideas.

Christmas dinners & brunches

The first Christmas brunch for 2026 has been announced, with more events expected to be confirmed closer to December.

Confirmed for 2026:

• Dumas Restaurant, Pullman Tbilisi Axis Towers: Christmas Day (December 25) brunch on the 36th floor, with food stations, free-flowing wine, live music and panoramic city views. More info & RSVP here.

Other venues to keep an eye on (events held in 2025):

• ATI Rooftop, Sheraton Grand Tbilisi Metekhi Palace: Christmas Eve festive dinner with rooftop views and live music.
• Restaurant Littera: Christmas Day dinner by chef Tekuna Gachechiladze, featuring seasonal ingredients and modern Georgian cooking.
• Restaurant Muza, Philharmonic by Mercure: Christmas Day five-course Gurian-inspired dinner with paired Georgian wines.
• La Mano: Christmas Day evening gathering inviting guests to contribute a dish from their own culture.

Catholic church services

There are several Catholic and Christian churches in Tbilisi that host Christmas eve services (in English) and even carols for Christmas. From 2025:

• Christmas Eve Mass & Carols at St. Peter & Paul Church: December 24, 5pm, 7pm & 8pm
• Christmas Eve Service at The Open Door Center: December 24, 6-7pm & 8-9pm
• English Language Liturgy at The Peace Cathedral (Baptist Church): December 28, 10am

New Year’s Eve in Tbilisi (December 31)

December 31 is celebrated with much more fanfare than December 25 or January 7.

There is a reason for this: During the Soviet period, religious celebrations were suppressed, and many of the traditions associated with Christmas were instead incorporated into a secular New Year celebration. The tradition stuck, and New Year’s Eve remains the biggest night of the season in Georgia (along with other post-Soviet countries such as Moldova).

While Georgian Orthodox Christmas has a greater emphasis on religious observances and family traditions, New Year’s Eve is much more celebratory. For many Georgian families, the evening starts at home with a supra feast. Later, people head out to meet friends and celebrate, with restaurants, clubs and concert venues hosting parties.

For visitors, the big question is whether to join the crowds in the centre for the gala concert, reserve a restaurant table for something quieter, or head up to a viewpoint to watch the fireworks.

Fireworks

Tbilisi is (in)famous for its NYE fireworks, but there isn’t really one official, coordinated display. Instead, it’s a city-wide spectacle that everyone gets involved with – thousands of people setting off their own fireworks from street corners, courtyards, rooftops, and apartment windows.

As soon as it gets dark, amateur pyrotechnics start launching rockets in every direction. It reaches a crescendo at midnight, when the sky erupts with lights – some shooting vertically, others flying horizontally! It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen or heard before.

Coming from Australia, where fireworks are prohibited, I still find the whole thing quite surreal.

As you might imagine, this huge explosion of fireworks causes enormous distress to animals – particularly street dogs. Animal welfare groups have been calling for tighter restrictions for years. Georgia introduced strict rules on the sale of pyrotechnics in 2025, and I noticed significantly fewer fireworks during last year’s celebrations.

Even so, New Year’s Eve in Tbilisi remains an incredibly loud and chaotic affair, with fireworks continuing well beyond midnight. If you’re sensitive to loud noises or travelling with young children, this is definitely something to keep in mind.

People often continue to set off fireworks well into January, and again for Old New Year (more below).

Where to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in Tbilisi

The best place to watch the fireworks in Tbilisi is any vantage point with a good view. That’s not so difficult to find in a city surrounded by hills!

• Mtatsminda: The highest point in the city is one of the best vantage points, but consider transport arrangements and evening crowds.
• Betlemi Rise: A more central viewpoint above the Old Town, with atmospheric views over the rooftops.
• Accessible viewpoints around Narikala Hill: Beautiful panoramas, but avoid any areas closed for construction.

Accidents unfortunately happen every year – please keep your distance from fireworks being set off!

Official New Year’s Eve Gala

Tbilisi City Hall organises a public concert for New Year’s Eve, with a stage set up on First Republic Square. Usually there is live pop/contemporary music from local acts, culminating with a midnight countdown.

dinners & parties

Many hotels, rooftop restaurants and nightclubs organise ticketed parties. Bookings for special events and set menus are essential. If you plan to eat out tonight, remember to reserve a table well in advance and confirm the closing time. Many venues shut early so that staff can celebrate at home.

In 2025, NYE events ranged from a cosy jazz evening with the Rezo Kiknadze Quintet at 1984 Jazz Club to a 72-hour marathon clubbing session at Left Bank. Truly something for all tastes!

Getting home after midnight

Public transport is usually extended until 3am on January 1 and January 7 and is free to use. Don’t count on being able to order a Bolt taxi on New Year’s Eve.

Georgian Orthodox Christmas traditions (January)

The festive period doesn’t end when the fireworks die down. January brings a more intimate set of Georgian customs, including Orthodox Christmas on January 7. Some of these traditions happen inside family homes, while others can be experienced quite easily by visitors.

January 1: Mekvleloba & the first guest of the year

Mekvleloba begins at midnight with an old superstition. Your first guest of the New Year – the first person to cross the threshold of your home, known as the mekvle – is believed to determine your fate for the next year. Thus it’s important to select someone for the job who embodies the characteristics you’re hoping for – be it prosperity, generosity or good fortune.

The mekvle should step into the house with their right foot first and promptly shower the homeowners with sweets and good wishes. Candies represent youthfulness and prosperity.

January 2: Bedoba, the day of fate

Bedoba, marked on January 2, is one of my favourite Georgian traditions. The ‘day of luck’ or ‘day of fate’ sets the tone for the year ahead and should be spent in a way that’s meaningful to you. Essentially, whatever happens to you on Bedoba – and the mood you’re in – is thought to dictate how the rest of your year pans out.

Bedoba is a day for self-care, when you should do the things you love and spend time with the people you value most. Eat your favourite food, drink good wine, or pamper yourself with a trip to the sulphur baths. Try to avoid arguments and anything that might bring bad juju! A friend of a friend of mine goes to the airport on Bedoba in the hope of bringing more travel opportunities into her life!

January 6: Orthodox Christmas Eve & candles in the windows

On the night before Orthodox Christmas (January 6), Georgians traditionally light candles and place them next to their windows so the light can be seen from the street. This beautiful gesture is a homage to Mary and Joseph – a guiding light to help them in their search for shelter before the birth of Jesus.

Take a walk through the residential streets of Tbilisi on Christmas Eve and you might see candles flickering in the windows.

In smaller cities and some Tbilisi neighbourhoods, Alilo singers (usually groups of children) go door to door performing Christmas carols. It’s traditional to give them sweets or fresh fruit in return. We have kids visit us every year during Christmastime in Kutaisi.

In Tbilisi, the main Christmas Eve liturgy takes place at Holy Trinity Cathedral (Sameba) in Avlabari. The overnight service traditionally lasts into the early hours of January 7, sometimes until 5 or 6am. Smaller Orthodox churches throughout the city also hold Christmas services.

January 7: Georgian Orthodox Christmas & the Alilo procession

Orthodox Christmas Day (January 7) is another national holiday in Georgia and a day of great reverence for the entire country.

Alilo is one of the most distinctive Christmas traditions, and something I especially recommend experiencing if you’re here on January 7. The religious procession takes place in cities and towns around the country, with thousands of people marching through the streets dressed in special robes and carrying Georgian flags, crucifixes, church banners, and icons.

Participants sing Christmas carols and chant as they walk, with many children joining in. Oxen and donkeys are enlisted to pull traditional wooden carts called uremi. Along the way, participants collect food, clothing and other donations from onlookers to later distribute to people in need. This charitable aspect is an important part of the Alilo tradition.

In Tbilisi, the Alilo normally starts at around 2pm on January 7, departing from First Republic Square and winding through the city centre before culminating at Sameba Cathedral. In Kutaisi (pictured above), the procession starts at midday outside City Hall and finishes at Victory Square.

The parade is free to attend, and it’s acceptable to follow the group as they walk. Just remember that this is a religious observance, so be respectful of participants.

Christmas Day is also a time for family gatherings, feasting and toasting. As the Orthodox Nativity Fast comes to an end, there’s normally a lot of meat going around! See the next section for traditional Georgian Christmas foods to try.

January 13-14: Old New Year

Georgia also marks the New Year according to the old Julian calendar. Old New Year is associated with the night of January 13-14, and you will definitely hear another round of fireworks at midnight.

This celebration is smaller and more subdued compared to December 31, and January 14 is not an official public holiday.

January 19: Orthodox Epiphany & the end of the season

In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, Epiphany (known in Georgia as Natlisgheba or ‘Acceptance of Light’) commemorates Jesus’ baptism. It is a national holiday and also marks the official end of the festive period.

Water is a running theme. On Epiphany Eve (January 18) and Epiphany Day (January 19), churches around the country perform water consecration rituals. At Sameba in Tbilisi, a special liturgy is held, followed by the blessing of holy water, which worshippers can take home. It is also traditional for godchildren to congratulate their godparents on Epiphany.

Around the country, people flock to the sea (or the nearest lake or river) for a cold-water swim. In Javakheti region, a hole is cut into the surface of frozen Paravani Lake and people participate in a unique ice-bathing ritual (pictured below). I was lucky enough to attend in 2025 – it was unforgettable!

January 19 is the deadline for taking down Christmas decorations. Tbilisi’s festive lights are normally switched off around this time, although the exact dates vary from year to year.

But there’s one more ritual to take care of: The burning of the chichilaki. While most of us pack away our Christmas trees, Georgians traditionally set their wooden chichilaki (see below) on fire! Torching the chichilaki around Epiphany symbolises letting go of one’s troubles and misfortunes from the previous year and welcoming fresh beginnings.

Chichilaki, Tovlis Babua & other Georgian Christmas customs

Chichilaki, Georgian Christmas trees

In Georgia, there are two kinds of Christmas trees: Typical Western Christmas trees, and special ornamental trees made from dried hazelnut wood that is shaved into fine, curly strips (some say to resemble St Basil’s beard). Known as chichilaki, they are decorated with candies, dried fruits, nuts, and coloured ribbons.

The chichilaki tradition comes from Western Georgia, but many families around the country have a small one to display alongside their regular Christmas tree. In Tbilisi, you can often see chichilaki on show outside the Gabriadze Theatre and inside the Christmas Village.

If you want to buy a mini chichilaki, they are sold at the Dezerter Bazaar for 10-50 GEL depending on the size.

In fact, if you’re visiting Tbilisi at Christmas time, I highly recommend taking a stroll around the Dezerter Bazaar and Bazroba market area in front of Central Railway Station. Alongside the usual mountains of fruit, spices and pickles, you will see chichilaki, pine branches, ornaments, and everything else families need to put on a spectacular holiday feast.

Interestingly, you’ll also notice decorations themed around the upcoming Lunar New Year. In December 2023, ahead of the Year of the Dragon, there was dragon merchandise for sale at every turn!

Tovlis Babua, Georgian Santa Claus

Tovlis Babua (literally ‘Snow Grandpa’) is Georgia’s answer to Santa Claus. Quite naturally, he lives in the mountains of Svaneti and is dressed in a traditional Svan felt hat and white felt coat. He carries his goodies in a saddlebag, of course.

Tovlis Babua visits children on New Year’s Eve rather than Christmas Day. Families traditionally exchange gifts on the evening of December 31 or on January 1, another legacy of the Soviet era.

St Barbara’s Day (Barbaroba)

Though not technically associated with Christmas, I want to quickly mention St Barbara’s Day (Barbaroba) on December 17, because it falls right around the time that holiday celebrations start. According to Georgian tradition, it is customary to bake and eat lobiani (bean-filled bread) on this day.

Like Bedoba, which comes later in January, Barbaroba is considered a ‘day of destiny’ – a time to reflect on the past year’s triumphs and shortcomings in preparation for the year ahead.

Some Middle Eastern countries, including Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, also celebrate St Barbara’s Day (Eid il-Burbara), but with a different kind of food: A special dessert made from boiled wheat, rose water, cinnamon and nuts.

Georgian Christmas & New Year foods

Like most countries, Georgia has several special Christmas and New Year’s foods that are traditionally eaten during holiday supras. Some are available year-round, while others are only prepared in December and January.

Satsivi (a cold appetiser made with poultry and walnut sauce) is available year-round at many restaurants. It is an essential part of the festive table, and is traditionally prepared with turkey (instead of the regular chicken) during the holidays.

Roasted suckling pork with adjika sauce is another fixture of most homespun Georgian holiday feasts. It is more difficult to find this dish in restaurants, but those that host special Christmas or New Year’s lunches may include it on the menu.

Gozinaki is one of Georgia’s few traditional desserts and is especially associated with New Year. The sweet is quite simple, consisting of caramelised walnuts or hazelnuts set in honey (sort of like a very sweet peanut brittle), usually cut into diamond-shaped pieces. I love Georgian Kalata’s gozinaki, available at their shop in Tbilisi and at the Christmas Markets.

Gurian khachapuri is a regional version of the famous ‘cheese bread’ made in Western Georgia’s Guria region for New Year. The crescent-shaped calzone-like bread is stuffed with not only cheese, but also boiled egg. Yum.

Other staples of the Georgian festive table include churchkhela (nuts dipped in thickened grape juice), dried fruits, fresh mandarins and walnuts. Georgian sparkling wine is a popular choice for the midnight toast on New Year’s Eve.

The lead-up to Orthodox Christmas is one of four major fasting periods in the Georgian Orthodox calendar, when observant Christians abstain from animal products (meat, eggs and dairy), with additional restrictions on certain days. The Nativity Fast ends on January 7, which makes the rich meat dishes and elaborate Christmas feasts all the more significant.

Practical tips for visiting Tbilisi during the holidays

Public holidays & closures

December 25 is an ordinary working day in Georgia, so most restaurants, shops, supermarkets and attractions operate as normal.

January 1, 2, 7 and 19 are public holidays. Banks and government offices close, while some museums, smaller businesses and restaurants might have reduced hours or be closed altogether. Shopping centres and larger supermarkets generally remain open, though hours can vary.

On December 31, some restaurants host special events, while others close early. January 1 and 2 are the trickiest days for sightseeing and eating out, so check opening hours and make restaurant reservations in advance.

Public transport normally operates throughout the holidays, sometimes with an extended schedule.

Does it snow in Tbilisi at Christmas?

Do not plan your Christmas trip expecting snow. Tbilisi is usually cold and dry in December and January, with daytime temperatures around 6-10°C. Snowfall is uncommon in the city – when it does snow, it’s normally not until February or March.

Nights are chilly, so pack warm layers, a proper winter coat and comfortable shoes for exploring the markets after dark.

If you want a white Christmas, consider Gudauri or Bakuriani instead. The ski season will open on December 20, 2026, and both resorts have New Year festivities and activities. More ideas in the next section below.

Taxis, traffic, accommodation & getting around

Traffic in Tbilisi is worse than normal in the lead-up to New Year,. Road closures for the Christmas Markets can cause additional disruptions.

Taxis can be surprisingly difficult to find over the holidays, even during the day, as fewer drivers are working. Expect longer waits and higher fares, particularly on December 31 and January 1.

I highly recommend staying somewhere central so you can get around on foot. Freedom Square, Rustaveli Avenue and Sololaki are convenient for the Christmas lights and markets. See my Tbilisi Neighbourhood Guide for more suggestions, and book accommodation early if you’re visiting over New Year.

Where to buy Christmas supplies

For a real Christmas tree, try the vendors near Station Square (intersection of Abastumani and Mghvdeli Streets), or Domino for potted trees and decorations. Browse the Dry Bridge Market for vintage Soviet-era ornaments and Babale for beautiful handmade decorations and Christmas cards.

For festive food, Agro Meat Market sells locally raised turkeys, while Saidanaa makes a special honey-mustard glazed Christmas ham.

Where else to spend Christmas & New Year in Georgia

The festive celebrations aren’t limited to Tbilisi! Other cities and regions around Georgia have their own Christmas markets, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and special holiday traditions.

Batumi is another great place to spend New Year’s Eve, with fireworks over the Black Sea and lots of parties. The city also hosts its own Christmas Village on Europe Square, with festive markets and food stalls. Smaller celebrations take place in Kutaisi.

Georgia’s main ski resorts, including Gudauri and Bakuriani, are another popular choice for Christmas.

For something more low-key, in Guria, Old New Year on January 14 is celebrated as Kalanda, with special foods and family rituals. Svaneti is another wonderful winter destination, with snow-covered villages and special mountain traditions.