Christmas Park The Mill of the Elves in Greece: a Neverland Fairytale in Trikala

A new season has started in the Greek city of Trikala, in the region of Thessaly, at one of the country’s most famous Christmas parks — The Mill of the Elves. Visitors are offered theatrical performances, interactive zones, and family-friendly entertainment. The project is being launched for the 14th time and has long become an important part of Greece’s winter tourism calendar, notes Travel and Tour World.

Historical background and operating format

The Christmas park The Mill of the Elves is located on the site of the former Matsopoulos Mill, a flour mill built at the end of the 19th century. The industrial complex was preserved and reimagined as a cultural space, making it possible to combine Christmas themes with the city’s historical heritage and turn the park into one of Trikala’s key public venues.

The Mill of the Elves opened this year on November 21 and will welcome visitors until January 6, 2026. The park operates daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is open to visitors of all ages. Admission is free, making it one of the most accessible holiday events in the country. For many Greek families and tourists, a trip to Trikala in December or early January has become a lasting tradition.

Season theme: Christmas in Neverland

The 2025–2026 season is designed in the style of Neverland — the magical world of Peter Pan. Organisers have transformed the park into a “theatre of life,” where fairytale characters become part of a live performance. Throughout the day and evening, visitors are greeted by Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, the Lost Boys, and other characters, creating an atmosphere of fantasy and play.

The shows are accompanied by light installations, music, and interactive elements designed for both children and adults. The concept is aimed at immersing visitors in a world of imagination, where the Christmas story comes to life as a large open-air theatrical experience.

Key areas and attractions

The park’s central character traditionally remains Santa Claus, who welcomes guests at the heart of the complex. For children, the Elves’ Post Office is in operation, allowing them to send Christmas letters with their wishes. Tinker Bell’s house is decorated with lighting effects and “fairy dust,” making it one of the most photogenic spots in the park.

The play area is adapted for different age groups and includes themed attractions and activities. The ice rink under festive illumination has become one of the main points of attraction, offering visitors the chance to enjoy skating regardless of age.

Special attention is paid to the gastronomic offerings. The Chocolate Factory fills the space with the aroma of sweets, while the Violanta Ferris wheel adds an amusement-park element. Throughout the season, fairytale days, workshops, face painting, and various surprises are held, and in the evening the park is illuminated by thousands of lights.

Organisers emphasise that The Mill of the Elves is conceived as a space for shared leisure. The park’s layout is designed for family walks, relaxed participation in activities, and the creation of “childhood” memories that visitors want to return to.
Live performances, music, and festive stories enhance the atmosphere and turn the park into more than just an entertainment venue, creating a fully immersive experience. Each zone functions as a separate episode of a large Christmas story.

How to plan your visit

The Mill of the Elves can be visited on any day until January 6, 2026. Free admission makes the park accessible to a wide audience, while the long season allows it to be included both in short trips and in a full winter holiday itinerary in Greece. At the same time, it should be taken into account that many attractions, items in gastronomic zones, and entertainment inside the park require separate payment. During the Christmas and New Year holiday period, organisers recommend planning visits in advance due to high attendance.

The park is located in a green area of Trikala, about one and a half kilometres from the city’s historic centre. It can be reached on foot, by public transport, or by a tourist train that operates during the Christmas season and connects the city’s main points with the park area.

The project’s role in Greek tourism

According to Tovima, in previous seasons The Mill of the Elves was visited by more than one million people in just a few weeks of operation. On peak days, hotel occupancy in Trikala and the surrounding area reached 90%, and the project itself became one of the key drivers of winter domestic tourism in the country. It attracts not only Greek residents but also international tourists planning trips during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The authorities view The Mill of the Elves as an example of successful off-season tourism development. The project is regularly mentioned in national and regional reviews as a model capable of attracting travellers to smaller cities outside the summer season.