# Orthodox Christmas in Tbilisi — Alilo Procession and Winter Kakheti, 4 Days

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- Canonical: https://gtour.ge/tour/orthodox-christmas-tbilisi-4-days/
- Author: 
- Published: 2026-10-27
- Updated: 2026-10-27
- Language: en
- Russian edition: https://gtour.ge/ru/tour/orthodox-christmas-tbilisi-4-days/

€990 per person4 days / 3 nightsPrivate · car & English-speaking guideBased on two travellers

Spend Orthodox Christmas in [Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/): the Alilo procession on Rustaveli, Christmas Eve liturgy at Sameba Cathedral, and a winter day among Kakheti's vineyards.

The route

[Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/)[Mtskheta](https://gtour.ge/georgia/mtskheta/)[Sighnaghi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/sighnaghi/)

Why this tour

- —Christmas Eve liturgy at Sameba Cathedral, the seat of the Georgian Orthodox Church, on the night of 6 January

- —The Alilo procession along Rustaveli Avenue on 7 January, Georgia's largest public Christmas event

- —Jvari Monastery and Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in [Mtskheta](https://gtour.ge/georgia/mtskheta/), the UNESCO-listed core of Georgian Christianity

- —A day in Kakheti combining [Sighnaghi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/sighnaghi/)'s fortress walls, Bodbe Convent and St Nino's tomb, and a cellar visit with mulled wine and chacha

- —Base in a centrally located hotel in Old [Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/) for the whole stay, no repacking between nights

- —Private car and licensed guide throughout, so you are not queuing for a seat on a tour bus during the busiest week of the Georgian calendar

Itinerary

Day 1Arrival in [Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/) with private airport transfer to your hotel in the Old Town, followed by an afternoon orientation walk past Narikala Fortress, Metekhi Church and the Bridge of Peace.

Day 2Morning drive to [Mtskheta](https://gtour.ge/georgia/mtskheta/) to see Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery above the river confluence, then back to [Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/) for Christmas Eve liturgy at Sameba Cathedral.

Day 3Christmas Day: the Alilo procession along Rustaveli Avenue in the morning, with free time in the afternoon for the Old Town or the sulphur bathhouses.

Day 4Day trip to Kakheti: the restored walls of [Sighnaghi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/sighnaghi/), Bodbe Convent and the tomb of St Nino, and a mulled wine and chacha tasting at a family cellar, before the drive back to [Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/) and airport transfer.

Included

- ✓ 3 nights in a centrally located hotel in Old Tbilisi, breakfast included

- ✓ Private transport with driver for all transfers and day trips

- ✓ English-speaking licensed guide for Mtskheta, the Alilo procession, and the Kakheti day

- ✓ Entrance arrangements for Svetitskhoveli Cathedral and Jvari Monastery (donation-based, checked at booking)

- ✓ Wine and chacha tasting with mulled wine at a Kakheti family cellar

- ✓ Airport pickup on arrival and transfer on departure

- ✓ All taxes and service charges

Not included

- — International flights

- — Lunches and dinners, other than the tasting on Day 4

- — Travel insurance

- — Personal expenses and tips

- — Any entrance fee for the Sameba Cathedral car park or special-access areas, if applicable

Good to know

- · Dress modestly for church visits: shoulders and knees covered, headscarves for women are expected and can be borrowed at most church entrances

- · Early January in [Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/) runs cold, often below freezing at night; bring warm layers, a hat and gloves, and waterproof footwear for icy pavements

- · Central streets around Rustaveli Avenue close to traffic on the morning of 7 January for the Alilo procession; expect to walk a stretch to reach the hotel

- · The Christmas Eve liturgy at Sameba runs several hours and is mostly standing room; arriving early secures a better position inside

- · Some shops and restaurants reduce their hours or close around 6–7 January; opening times are checked at booking

- · The [Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/)–Kakheti road can have ice or fog in winter; drive time to [Sighnaghi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/sighnaghi/) is about 1 hour 45 minutes, longer if conditions require a slower pace

Questions

**Is the Alilo procession open to everyone, or do we need tickets?**
It is a free public event. You watch from the pavement along Rustaveli Avenue; no ticket or booking is required.

**Can non-Orthodox visitors attend the Christmas Eve liturgy at Sameba?**
Yes, the cathedral is open to the public. Visitors are expected to dress modestly and remain quiet during the service.

**What happens if it snows heavily during the trip?**
[Tbilisi](https://gtour.ge/georgia/tbilisi/) and the [Mtskheta](https://gtour.ge/georgia/mtskheta/) road are cleared quickly. The Kakheti day is the one most likely to be adjusted in timing, and we confirm the plan with you the evening before.

**Is the hotel within walking distance of the Alilo procession route?**
Yes, hotels used for this tour are in the Old Town, within walking distance of Rustaveli Avenue, though some streets are closed to cars that morning.

Prices are per person for two travelling together, in euros; solo travellers and larger groups are quoted on request. Every departure is private and adjusted to you. Hotels, wineries and restaurants on our routes are [verified by GTour](/verified/).

*Image: An old stone bell tower church in Georgia surrounded by greenery and vineyards. Photo: sigurdga / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0*

*Image: Georgian Orthodox Church flags fly before a cathedral during a religious procession in Georgia. Photo: Giorgi Abdaladze / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0*

A small stone Orthodox church near Nekresi monastery surrounded by green forest in Kakheti. · Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0