Greece is not just a country—it’s a living museum of history, myth, and enduring traditions.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the way it marks time: with holidays that blend ancient ritual, Orthodox Christian faith, revolutionary pride, and joyful community gatherings. In Greece, holidays are not merely dates on a calendar; they are opportunities to reaffirm identity, celebrate togetherness, and pass sacred customs to the next generation.
For the traveler, each Greek holiday offers a new way to connect with the country’s soul—through candlelit vigils, carnival parades, feasting under the stars, or dancing in mountain villages until dawn. Here is your month-by-month guide to the major (and many lesser-known) holidays and celebrations in Greece, including where to go and what to expect.
Greek Holiday Calendar
| Month | Holiday | Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | New Year’s Day (Protokhronia) | January 1 | Vasilopita cutting, fireworks, Kastoria’s Ragoutsaria |
| January | Epiphany (Theofania) | January 6 | Blessing of waters, diving for the cross in Piraeus, Kalymnos |
| February/ March | Carnival (Apokries) | Movable | Parades in Patras, Rethymno; Skyros goat-bell dancers |
| February/ March | Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) | Movable | Vegetarian feasts, kite flying, Galaxidi flour war |
| March | Independence Day & Annunciation | March 25 | Parades in Athens, Nafplio, traditional bakaliaros meal |
| April | Orthodox Easter | Movable | Corfu pot smashing, Holy Week, midnight Resurrection |
| May | May Day (Protomagia) | May 1 | Floral wreaths, countryside picnics, labor marches |
| June | Pentecost & Holy Spirit Monday | Movable | Spiritual retreats, long weekend getaways |
| August | Dormition of the Virgin Mary | August 15 | Pilgrimages to Tinos, Paros, village panigyria |
| October | Ohi Day | October 28 | Military parades in Thessaloniki, patriotic events |
| December | Christmas | December 25 | Traditional sweets, village decorations, Oneiroupoli |
JANUARY
New Year’s Day – Πρωτοχρονιά (Protokhroniá) – January 1
Greece welcomes the New Year with a sense of hope and luck. Families gather to cut the Vasilopita, a sweet bread with a hidden coin inside—the recipient is believed to enjoy good fortune all year. Children sing carols, and the evening often ends with a celebratory meal and fireworks. A unique tradition involves breaking a pomegranate at the doorstep to bring prosperity.
Where to Go:
- Athens or Thessaloniki: Watch fireworks and join locals in bars and squares.
- Kastoria (Jan 6–8): Home to Ragoutsaria, a pre-Christian masquerade filled with costumes, music, and Dionysian revelry.
Epiphany – Θεοφάνεια (Theofánia) – January 6
A sacred day symbolizing Christ’s baptism. Across Greece, priests bless local waters by throwing a cross into the sea, river, or lake. Brave young men dive in to retrieve it, earning honor and blessings.
Top Spots to Witness:
- Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Hydra, and Chania host elaborate processions and sea ceremonies.
- Kalymnos Island: A legendary diving tradition and spiritual fervor.
FEBRUARY / MARCH (Movable Dates)
Carnival – Αποκριές (Apokriés)
A festive, flamboyant celebration before Lent, lasting three weeks. It includes costume balls, satire, meat feasts, and street parades. Think of it as Greece’s Mardi Gras.
Best Carnival Cities:
- Patras: The largest and most theatrical in Greece—don’t miss the closing bonfire.
- Rethymno (Crete): Venetian flair with colorful costumes and lively streets.
- Xanthi: A mix of Balkan, Thracian, and modern influences.
- Skyros: Witness ancient rituals like Geros and Korela, where men wear goat bells and dance through the town.
Tsiknopempti (“Smoky Thursday”) is a highlight—when tavernas overflow with grilled meats and smoky joy.
Clean Monday – Καθαρά Δευτέρα (Kathará Deftéra)
The first day of Lent, observed with vegetarian picnics, kite flying, and a spiritual mood of renewal.
Unique Celebrations:
- Galaxidi: The famous Flour War (Alevromoutzouroma)—a playful battle with colored flour!
- Filopappou Hill (Athens): Popular for kite-flying with Acropolis views.
- Pelion villages: Scenic and peaceful picnic settings in spring bloom.
MARCH
Greek Independence Day & Annunciation – March 25
A dual holiday: the declaration of independence from Ottoman rule (1821) and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. Expect military parades, folk costumes, and national pride.
Notable Locations:
- Athens (Syntagma Square): Watch the Evzones parade in ceremonial uniform.
- Nafplio: First capital of modern Greece and site of major independence events.
- Kalavryta & Messolonghi: Known for poignant commemorations.
Must-Try Dish: Fried bakaliaros (salt cod) with skordalia (garlic puree).
APRIL (Movable Dates)
Orthodox Easter – Πάσχα (Páscha)
The most important Greek holiday. A journey from sorrow to joy: solemn Holy Week services lead to midnight resurrection celebrations and all-night feasting.
Where Easter is Magical:
- Corfu: Famous for the clay pot smashing from balconies on Holy Saturday.
- Hydra: Good Friday procession floats the epitaphios on the sea.
- Leonidio: Releasing sky lanterns creates a surreal nightscape.
- Meteora: Ethereal Holy Week services among the cliffs.
Don’t Miss: Midnight “Christos Anesti” chant, fireworks, and the Easter Sunday lamb roast with wine and dancing.
For more details, check our Complete Guide for Easter in Greece!
MAY
May Day – Πρωτομαγιά (Protomagiá) – May 1
A blend of Labor Day and a pagan spring festival. People escape to the countryside to gather wildflowers and craft wreaths for their doors.
Where to Celebrate:
- Syntagma Square (Athens): Political rallies and labor marches.
- Tinos, Skyros & Arcadia: Nature, tradition, and folk festivals.
Curious for more? Head over to our article about May 1st, here.
JUNE
Pentecost & Holy Spirit Monday – Movable
This marks the descent of the Holy Spirit. While it’s less publicized, it’s a spiritual weekend with a public holiday on Monday—ideal for short trips.
Ideal Getaways:
- Paros, Naxos, Andros: Tranquil island escapes.
- Karpenisi or Arahova: Cool mountain air and scenic hiking.
AUGUST
Dormition of the Virgin Mary – August 15
Known as “Summer Easter,” this holiday honors the death and assumption of the Virgin Mary. Thousands make pilgrimages to shrines, and nearly every village holds a panigyri (festival).
Unmissable Celebrations:
- Tinos: The spiritual heart, with pilgrims crawling up to the Virgin’s icon.
- Paros: Ekatontapyliani Church hosts fireworks and folk dancing.
- Kefalonia: Church of Markopoulo, where harmless snakes appear—locals call it a miracle.
What to Expect: Open-air dancing, lamb feasts, live music, and wine until dawn.
Unwrap more details about August 15, on our blog.
OCTOBER
Ohi Day – October 28
Commemorates Greece’s 1940 “No!” to Mussolini. Parades, wreath-laying, and patriotic spirit dominate the day.
Best Celebrations:
- Thessaloniki: Site of the biggest military parade.
- Ioannina & Northern Greece: WWII history is particularly resonant here.
In schools, children recite poems and perform plays reenacting the wartime stand.
DECEMBER
Christmas – December 25
Though less prominent than Easter, Greek Christmas is quietly beautiful. Families gather, sweets are shared, and churches hold festive services. Traditional decorations include boats adorned with lights, symbolizing Greece’s maritime heritage.
Christmas Magic Spots:
- Arachova, Metsovo & Karpenisi: Alpine-style winter villages.
- Drama (Oneiroupoli): Greece’s largest Christmas village.
- Thessaloniki: Sparkling lights, bakeries, and festive cheer.
Treats to Try: Melomakarona (honey cookies), kourabiedes (almond shortbread), and diples (fried dough with honey).
Discover the magic of Greek Christmas traditions in our full blog article.
PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS
- Holiday Schedules: Check for ferry, metro, and airport strikes, especially on May 1, Easter, and Ohi Day.
- Dress Respectfully: Shoulders and knees should be covered during religious ceremonies or monastery visits.
- Accommodations: Book early for Easter and August 15—these are peak travel times.
To travel in Greece is to be invited into the heart of its traditions. Each holiday tells a story—of resistance, rebirth, community, and devotion. Whether it’s catching a pot mid-air in Corfu, feasting in a mountain village, or standing beside a candlelit procession under the stars, Greece’s calendar is your passport to a year of unforgettable experiences.
Come not just to see Greece—but to celebrate it.
