The annual lighting of a towering Christmas Tree in central Athens' Syntagma Square, across from Parliament, marked the beginning of festivities in the otherwise recession-plagued Greek capital this holiday season, with the Athens municipality again organising a series of high-profile events and lighting ceremonies.

This year's Christmas tree will be replanted, part of efforts to send an environmentally friendly message.ana-mpa

The National Gardens across from Syntagma Square, outside the Zappeion Hall, will again host a large carousel and a Santa's village, replete with elves and inter-active games.

Meanwhile, the municipality's Technopolis centre, in the inner city Gazi district, hosts an ice rink, a playground with floats, carnival rides, a carousel and theatrical productions for children.

Finally, a large "Christmas Fairytale" village has been erected outside the Olympic Badminton facility in the east Athens district of Goudi.