New Year in Georgia with Your ID: A Guide to Batum and Tbilisi Christmas Markets 2026

Written by: Süleyman Öz, co-founder and operations manager of Holitera Turizm

Holitera was established in Rize; Batum and Georgia serve as our gateway to those regions. For years, one of the most common questions from our guests traveling to Batum has been: “Can I go to Georgia on New Year’s Day with just my ID card, and what places can I visit?” In this guide, I’ve compiled short answers and details about our New Year’s programs.

Can you go to Georgia with just an ID card?

Yes. Turkish citizens can enter Georgia using their new chip-enabled T.C. ID cards, without needing a passport or visa. Old-style identity cards are not accepted. If you have a passport, you can also travel with that.

When is Christmas celebrated in Georgia?

Georgia uses the Orthodox calendar; Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. Nevertheless, cities are decorated with New Year’s decorations starting from early December, and the markets remain open until mid-January. So if you visit between December 25th and New Year’s, you’ll experience both the New Year’s festivities and the preparations for Christmas.

Where can you go in Tbilisi during New Year’s?

• Rustaveli Boulevard: The heart of New Year’s lighting and the Christmas market.
• Old Tbilisi and Narikala Fortress: You can take a cable car up to the fortress to enjoy views of the city from above.
• Sulfur baths (Abanotubani): The perfect break in cold weather.
• Mtskheta: Georgia’s ancient capital, listed by UNESCO and located about half an hour from Tbilisi.

Winter in Batum

Batum is warmer in winter compared to Tbilisi; temperatures in December are usually between 5–10 °C, with frequent rain. The seaside promenade, Europe Square, the statue of Ali and Nino, and the evening lighting are all great attractions even in winter. You can find shopping tips in our article What to Buy in Batum.

What should I wear, and how much money do I need?

In Tbilisi, temperatures at the end of December range from 0–8 °C; a jacket, hat, and comfortable winter shoes are sufficient. The currency is the Georgian lari (GEL); exchange bureaus are common, and card payments are accepted in most places.

Our New Year’s programs

• Batum and Tbilisi Christmas Markets Tour: December 25–27, 2026, 2 nights, flight from Istanbul, 4-star hotel, 14,999 TL per person.
• Georgia New Year’s Tour with ID Card: Departing on December 31, 2026, 3 nights, entering the new year in Tbilisi, 27,500 TL per person.

Both tours have a capacity limit of 30 people. For all Georgia tours, you can check out the Georgia Tours page.

Frequently asked questions

Can children travel with just an ID card?

Children also need a new chip-enabled ID card or passport. Passengers under 18 may require parental consent; our team will verify this during booking.

How is payment handled?

You reserve your spot by making a deposit; the remaining amount can be paid in installments up to 30 days before departure.