Top 15 Things To Do In Tbilisi This Christmas

Frost-dusted rooftops, the sweet scent of mulled Saperavi wine wafting through the air, and music-filled city squares transform Tbilisi into a fairy-tale come December. A convergence of European-style Christmas markets, centuries-old Orthodox rituals, and the city’s own flair for over-the-top celebrations makes the Georgian capital an unforgettable winter destination. Add to that the genuine warmth of local hospitality — known throughout the region — and you’ve got a formula for holiday bliss.

Christmas and New Year in Tbilisi stand out for a few special reasons. First, Georgia follows the Julian calendar for religious events, so the festivities don’t stop on December 25th. Instead, expect a build-up that crescendos on December 31st, continuing all the way until Orthodox Christmas on January 7th and even Old New Year on January 13th. This extended holiday schedule means you have extra time to soak in the buzzing atmosphere, watch mind-blowing fireworks, and engage in local traditions like the Alilo procession. Meanwhile, Tbilisi’s streets glimmer beneath elaborate light displays and the iconic Tbilisi Christmas Tree perched majestically on Rustaveli Avenue.

Within this vibrant holiday tapestry, we’ve handpicked 15 of the best things to do in Tbilisi this Christmas — an assortment of cultural, culinary, and creative experiences. Interspersed throughout these recommendations, you’ll find links to our unique tours and workshops. Whether you’re eager to immerse yourself in a classic Georgian Supra or try your hand at crafting the country’s quirky Chichilaki Christmas trees, we invite you to explore Tbilisi’s festive spirit in the most authentic, hands-on way possible.

Even if you’ve visited the city before, Tbilisi’s Old Town is never more enchanting than during the holiday season, when the winding backstreets are festooned with twinkling fairy lights and choral music wafts gently from hidden courtyards. Stroll along cobblestone lanes framed by pastel-hued balconies, pop into centuries-old basilicas, and soak up Georgia’s deep Christmas traditions.

Experience to Book:

Our guided walk whisks you to the city’s UNESCO-listed spots and hidden alleyways alike, unfolding layers of Tbilisi’s storied past — from ancient churches to 19th-century mansions. This four-hour sojourn is particularly captivating in December when churches prepare for the January 7th Orthodox liturgy and local vendors debut seasonal crafts.

No discussion of Christmas in Tbilisi is complete without mentioning food. Georgia’s wintertime culinary lineup is sensational: richly spiced meat stews, decadent dumplings, and one-of-a-kind sweets like gozinaki (walnuts in honey brittle) and churchkhela (nuts dipped in grape juice). But the beating heart of all Georgian gastronomic traditions is the Supra — a lively feast presided over by a tamada (toastmaster) who serenades guests with blessings and heartfelt toasts.

Experience to Book:

Join a local family or community table where you’ll raise glasses of homemade wine, savor sizzling plates of khinkali, and embrace Georgia’s famed toasting culture. An Authentic Supra Feast is not merely a meal; it’s a swirl of singing, storytelling, and life-affirming camaraderie that epitomizes the Georgian Christmas spirit.

If you’ve fallen hard for Georgian cuisine (who can blame you?), why not put on an apron and try crafting these staples yourself? Christmas in Tbilisi offers the perfect backdrop for a deep dive into local culinary customs. Dive into fold-after-fold of pillowy khinkali dough, or learn the technique behind iconic khachapuri — especially the crescent-shaped Guruli version studded with eggs, historically prepared at Christmas.

Experience to Book:

Set in a cozy home kitchen, this workshop grants you a warm welcome into Georgian domestic life. Under the guidance of a local matriarch, you’ll discover the nuances of kneading, filling, and folding the nation’s most treasured dishes. The best part? Feasting on your creations at the end, with lashings of tangy sauce and a tipple of amber wine.

Georgia’s performing arts scene comes alive in winter. From the storied Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre to classical shows at the Opera and Ballet Theatre, holiday month in Tbilisi is culturally charged. However, to truly connect with the country’s soul, nothing surpasses learning Georgian folk dance. Imagine spinning to the dramatic, drum-fueled music that has echoed through the Caucasus for centuries.

Experience to Book:

Elevate your winter holiday by learning the basics of Kartuli and other regional dances. Skilled instructors will guide you through the measured grace and spirited spins of Georgian choreography. It’s as exhilarating as it is enriching — a chance to feel the country’s rhythm in your own two feet.

The sights and sounds of Tbilisi at Christmastime often inspire travelers to take home one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Rather than simply browsing artisan stalls, why not craft your own keepsake? Georgian Cloisonné enamel (called minankari locally) is an ancient art form that transforms precious metals and pigments into ornate pendants, earrings, and decorative pieces.

Experience to Book:

From shaping the metal wires to layering colored enamel, you’ll grasp every step of this intricate process. Feel the sparks of creativity amid a real jeweler’s studio while forging a memory that glitters with personal significance. A custom-made piece of minankari can be the perfect gift to yourself — or a thoughtful Christmas present for a loved one back home.

A quintessential treat during the holidays (and all year round, for that matter), churchkhela is a chewy, nut-filled confection made from grape must and flour. Strings of almonds or walnuts get repeatedly dipped in sweet grape juice until they form a luscious, candle-like shape. For many families in Tbilisi, winter is churchkhela-making season — an opportunity to craft homemade sweets and share them with neighbors.

Experience to Book:

Learn firsthand how to create this iconic dessert in a cozy kitchen setting. From selecting the perfect nuts to mastering the dipping technique, you’ll leave with both newfound skills and a stash of freshly made churchkhela to devour.

Georgia’s distinctive take on a Christmas tree, the Chichilaki, is fashioned from dried hazelnut or walnut branches, whittled into wispy curls. Adorned with ribbons or small sweets, these light-colored trees are often burned after January 19th (Orthodox Epiphany) to symbolically let go of the year’s troubles.

Experience to Book:

In this lively, hands-on session, you’ll shape your very own Chichilaki and decorate it using colorful ribbons and dried fruits. If you’re looking to add an unmistakably Georgian memento to your festivities back home, this quick masterclass is perfect.

From Orbeliani Square to Dedaena Park, Tbilisi’s Christmas markets open in mid-December and burst with cheer right through the New Year. Vendors sell everything from mulled Saperavi wine and succulent mtsvadi (grilled meat) to homemade crafts and trinkets. Nightly concerts, ice-skating rinks, and Santa’s house keep the city buzzing with energy.

Pro Tip: Grab a steaming cup of chacha punch (Georgia’s version of mulled brandy) and snack on local treats such as khachapuri or spiced hotdogs as you wander among the twinkling stalls.

A Tbilisi institution, the Dry Bridge Market takes on an extra spark during Christmas, with vendors adding holiday ornaments and retro-themed decorations to their usual mix of collectibles, antiques, and eclectic knickknacks.

Why Go Now?

— Snag a vintage Soviet-era postcard featuring festive motifs.
— Pick up an old enamel kitchenware piece or a well-loved pair of handmade socks.
— Strike up conversations with local artisans and bargain for a better deal.

A stroll under Tbilisi’s winter sun among porcelain teacups, battered suitcases, and vinyl records is one of the most romantic holiday experiences you can have in the city.

Tbilisi goes all out with its Christmas lights — every year, the city’s main thoroughfares are draped in a network of glowing stars, angels, and fantastical shapes. Head to Rustaveli Avenue where the grand Tbilisi Christmas Tree stands tall, typically right outside Parliament. Nearby Freedom Square adds to the spectacle, creating a radiant wonderland you can’t help but photograph from every angle.

Don’t Miss:

— Ornate light installations on Atoneli Street and Chavchavadze Avenue.
— Sparkling side-street displays near Gudiashvili Square.

Pro Tip: Go just before dusk for the best photos—capturing the sky’s changing hues behind the light installations makes for cinematic holiday snaps.

Fascinating any time of year, the Rezo Gabriadze Marionette Theatre becomes especially sought-after during the winter season. Booking tickets in advance is a must, as locals and visitors alike pack the small venue for its whimsical puppet plays based on Georgian folklore and regional history. Outside, the adjoining Clock Tower — assembled from salvaged bricks — exudes its own fairytale allure under the glow of Tbilisi’s holiday lights.

While Tbilisi winters can be brisk, the city’s open-air cinemas offer a uniquely cozy vibe: Think blankets, hot drinks, and indie or cult-classic films shown beneath the starlit sky. Venues such as Fabrika Cine-Club and Cinema Mziuri run wintertime programs that highlight arthouse flicks, Georgian cinema gems, and family-friendly favorites. If you’d rather stay indoors, try Cinemaholics or Tbilisi Movie Nights for an immersive dinner-and-film experience.

Holiday Feasts: Traditional goodies like Guruli khachapuri — shaped like a crescent moon and filled with boiled egg — and satsivi (poultry in a velvety walnut sauce) appear on nearly every Georgian’s table this time of year. Street vendors might tempt you with spiced coffee or sizzling kubdari (meat pies). For an all-in-one deep dive, the winter markets double as an ad hoc food festival where you can nibble on everything from spicy pork ajika to honey-sweet gozinaki.

On Orthodox Christmas Day — January 7th — thousands of locals participate in the Alilo procession. Decked in traditional garments, carrying banners, and chanting spiritual hymns, they march through Old Tbilisi collecting sweets, churchkhela, and other foods for distribution to charities and families in need. Tourists are welcome to observe or participate, making it a one-of-a-kind cultural experience that blends faith, generosity, and Georgian hospitality.

If there’s one spectacle that ties a bow on Tbilisi’s holiday spirit, it’s the citywide firework extravaganza on December 31st. At midnight, every rooftop, courtyard, and street corner erupts in a dazzling blaze of color and sound. For the best vantage points, head to Mtatsminda Park, Narikala Fortress, or any of the rooftop venues in the Old Town. You’ll be treated to panoramic pyrotechnics that flicker over Tbilisi’s undulating hills — a moment of pure winter magic.

While these 15 experiences showcase the best of Tbilisi’s Christmas wonderland, don’t forget our signature holiday package that steps well beyond the city limits and deep into Georgia’s festive heart:

By blending deep-rooted Orthodox traditions with contemporary markets and raucous celebrations, the city delivers a holiday fusion like no other. And if you crave a more all-encompassing experience of Georgian winter, join us on our multi-day Georgia Countdown tour. After all, there’s no better way to usher in the New Year than in the heart of the Caucasus, cradled by centuries of heritage and the warmth of new friendships.