Lalibela starts welcoming thousands of visitors ahead of Ethiopian Christmas

Addis Ababa, January 5, 2025 (FMC) – The Lalibela City Administration has announced that it is expecting over 1.5 million visitors for the upcoming Ethiopian Christmas (Genna) holiday, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025.

The city’s First Deputy Mayor, Mr. Wondmu Wodaj, informed FMC’s Yohannes Derbew that all necessary preparations and arrangements have been made in anticipation of the holiday.

This year’s Ethiopian Christmas is expected to be a vibrant celebration, filled with various religious events, in one of northern Ethiopia’s top tourist destinations.

As usual, guests are arriving in large numbers, traveling on foot, by car, and by plane, Wondmu said.

He confirmed that the youth are greeting guests with the customary warm hospitality at the six gates of the city entrance, washing their feet, and offering free food and drinks.

Mr. Wondmu also extended an invitation to Ethiopians, members of the Diaspora, and tourists from around the world to attend the celebration of Ethiopian Christmas in person at the Lalibela monolithic churches.

This celebration marks the coinciding birth date of Jesus Christ and Saint Lalibela, and it will be held with special pomp and pageantry.

Hotels, tour guides, health centers, support staff, property managers, and other service providers have also completed their preparations, the First Deputy Mayor mentioned.