Georgia celebrates New Year twice — on January 1 with fireworks and chacha, and on January 7 with the Georgian Orthodox Christmas (Aliloba procession). The country has unique traditions tourists rarely know about: Mekvle (the lucky first guest), Tovlis Papa (Georgian Santa in traditional clothes), and the Alilo Christmas procession, when thousands walk down Rustaveli Avenue to Sameba Cathedral. Before you fly, check the 2026 insurance requirement for Georgia.
Georgian New Year traditions
Mekvle — the first guest of the New Year
The most important Georgian New Year tradition is Mekvle (მეკვლე) — the first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight. This person must be chosen in advance: someone lucky, kind, and successful in life. They bring gifts — sweets, wine, coins, bread. The belief is that whoever enters first sets the character of the entire year to come.
Georgians take this seriously. A family will nominate their Mekvle weeks in advance. If a stranger knocks on the door at midnight, they might be politely asked to wait. If you are invited to celebrate New Year with a Georgian family, there is a reasonable chance you will be asked to serve as their Mekvle — an enormous honour.
Tovlis Papa — Georgian Father Frost
Tovlis Papa (literally “Snow Grandfather”) is the Georgian Father Frost. Instead of a red coat he usually wears a long white felt cloak (nabadi) or a chokha with a felt hat, and has a long white beard. At city celebrations you will see both him and the familiar Soviet-style Ded Moroz, and Georgian children know both.
Where to celebrate New Year in Georgia
| Destination | Distance from Tbilisi | Character | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi | — | City, fireworks, restaurants | City atmosphere, culture, nightlife |
| Gudauri | 120 km (2 hrs) | Ski resort, parties, snow | Skiing, outdoor celebrating |
| Bakuriani | 180 km (3 hrs) | Family ski resort | Families with children |
| Batumi | 380 km (5–6 hrs by car) | Coastal, mild, casino | Beach atmosphere, no snow |
Tbilisi on New Year's Eve
Tbilisi greets the New Year loudly. At midnight fireworks go up all over the city, from the official celebration in the centre and from thousands of balconies and courtyards, so the sky stays lit for half an hour. The best views are from Narikala, the Sololaki slope and Mtatsminda. Rustaveli Avenue fills with people; the old town around Abanotubani and Metekhi feels more intimate. Restaurants run New Year's Eve set menus, roughly 80–300 GEL per person depending on the place.
Gudauri — skiing and mountain parties
Gudauri (2,196 m) usually has stable snow from December to March, and on New Year's Eve the resort hosts parties and concerts. It is Georgia's main ski resort, about 2 hours from Tbilisi. Book early: Gudauri has a limited number of beds and fills up for the New Year period.
The Christmas tree, New Year village and holidays 2026–27
Last season Tbilisi's main Christmas tree stood on First Republic Square at the top of Rustaveli Avenue. It was lit on December 12, 2025, and the New Year village with market stalls, mulled wine and a stage stayed open there until January 14, 2026. Tbilisi City Hall usually announces the 2026–27 programme in November, and we will update this article as soon as the dates are known.
Besides the city tree, December brings Christmas markets in creative spaces such as Fabrika, a good place for gifts from local makers. Official public holidays over the festive period:
| Date | Day | What | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's Eve | no, but the evening is festive |
| January 1–2, 2027 | Friday–Saturday | New Year | yes |
| January 7, 2027 | Thursday | Orthodox Christmas, Aliloba procession | yes |
| January 19, 2027 | Tuesday | Epiphany (Natlisgeba) | yes |
That gives a long weekend from January 1 to 3, plus another holiday midweek on January 7. Banks and government offices are closed on these days, while restaurants, shops and tours operate.
Winter weather in Georgia
| Location | Day temperature | Night temperature | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi | +5 to +10°C | -2 to +3°C | Rare, melts quickly |
| Gudauri | -5 to -2°C | -12 to -8°C | Stable, ski conditions |
| Bakuriani | -3 to 0°C | -8 to -5°C | Reliable |
| Batumi | +8 to +12°C | +3 to +6°C | Rare |
Accommodation prices for New Year in Georgia
| Accommodation type | Regular December price | December 31 price |
|---|---|---|
| Tbilisi hotel 3* | 70–100 GEL/night | 160–220 GEL/night |
| Tbilisi hotel 4* | 150–200 GEL/night | 300–450 GEL/night |
| Gudauri hotel | 150–250 GEL/night | 350–600 GEL/night |
| Gudauri guesthouse | 80–120 GEL/night | 200–350 GEL/night |
What to do January 1–7
January 1: Tbilisi is quiet and peaceful — one of the few days when the city belongs to those who chose to stay. The Abanotubani sulfur baths are open and therapeutic after a late night. Good day for a slow walk through the old town without any tourist pressure.
January 2–3: The city wakes up fully. This is an excellent time for day trips: Kazbegi (spectacular in winter snow if the Cross Pass is open; dress very warmly), Mtskheta (ancient capital, 30 minutes away), Borjomi (mineral water springs work in any weather, thermal pools are especially good in cold weather).
January 7: Georgian Orthodox Christmas and the Aliloba procession — see below.
Where to eat on New Year's Eve
Five formats for NYE dinner in Georgia:
- Georgian cuisine restaurant in old Tbilisi — traditional menu, toasts, live music. Book 3–4 weeks in advance. Expect about 100–150 GEL per person with wine.
- Restaurant with a view — tables on the Sololaki slope or near Narikala with a panorama of the fireworks. The most expensive option (about 150–250 GEL per person); book 2 months ahead.
- Modern Georgian restaurant in Vera district — Vera is Tbilisi's most interesting neighbourhood for contemporary food. Less crowded than old town, higher quality kitchen.
- Guesthouse dinner — if you know a Georgian family or host, this is the most authentic option. Expect a supra (Georgian feast) lasting 4–5 hours with 15+ dishes.
- Cook your own supra — rent an apartment with a kitchen, shop at Deserter's Market, cook together.
Aliloba — Georgian Christmas on January 7
Alilo is the Christmas procession held on January 7. Around 2 pm it leaves First Republic Square, walks down Rustaveli Avenue, crosses Freedom Square and Baratashvili Bridge and reaches Sameba Cathedral at about 4 pm. People carry crosses, icons and banners, many dress as shepherds and biblical characters, and children sing “Alilo”. By tradition the procession collects food and gifts for people in need.
It is free and open to everyone: watch from the route or join in. Traffic in the centre is restricted that day, so walk or take the metro. Dress warmly and be discreet with your camera around people praying.
