The Municipality of Thessaloniki and its Tourism Department are proudly supporting the grand celebration of the city’s open-air markets, marking 96 years of operation.
This two-day festival, on May 29th and 30th, 2025, was designed to introduce younger generations to the importance of open-air markets for the health and well-being of consumers. This is achieved through their high-quality, fresh produce, direct personal contact with small local producers, a smaller environmental footprint due to local sourcing and lack of packaging, and their contribution to boosting the local economy. Additionally, market shoppers benefit from affordable prices.
At the festival’s entrance, from Egnatia Street, a mini greenhouse has been set up to welcome young children. Young students will have the opportunity to attend practical gardening lessons from experts and will even get to be “mini retailers” in action. Simultaneously, they’ll learn about the vital role of plants in our health and the environment, as well as the importance of healthy eating for our bodies.
The Traffic Police will provide road safety lessons for the young attendees, and sports activities will also be available.
In the evening, at 7:30 PM on both days, the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Tourism Department, along with students from the La Chef Levi Culinary Institute, will be cooking healthy and offering delicious treats to both children and adults. The menu includes: cold summer cucumber soup, mushroom pies, traditional “strapatsada” (scrambled eggs with tomato), and healthy fruit salad with seasonal fruits.
The festivities will continue with musical events. This year’s participants include: Giorgos Axas, Isorropistis, Marianthi Kefala, Stathis Nikolaidis, Pela Nikolaidou, Kostas Zois, Dimitris Xenitopoulos, Andriana Hatzilari, and Stefanos Papadopoulos.
Visitors are also expected to be captivated by the revival of a traditional wedding with carriages and horses.
Admission is free.
