Holidays and Festivals

Greece celebrates a variety of national public holidays, including:

• New Year’s Day – January 1
• Epiphany – January 6
• Shrove Monday (First day of Lent) – movable
• Independence Day and The Annunciation – March 25
• Good Friday – movable
• Easter – movable
• Easter Monday – movable
• May Day / Labour Day – May 1
• Pentecost Monday – movable
• Assumption of Our Lady – August 15
• WWII Day / “OXI Day” – October 28
• Christmas – December 25
• Saint Stephen’s Day – December 26

Among these, the three most significant holidays are Christmas, Easter, and the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Christmas is traditionally celebrated as a family holiday, though city squares are decorated with festive lights and ornaments. The Assumption Day on August 15 is a major summer festival, particularly in towns and islands where celebrations often include processions, music, and feasts. Easter is perhaps the most colorful and spirited holiday, with solemn Good Friday processions, Saturday evening vigils, and culminates in lively midnight fireworks on Easter Sunday.

Although not an official national holiday, the pre-Lenten carnival, known as Apókries, is widely celebrated throughout Greece. Cities host extravagant festivities, with Patras holding the country’s largest and most renowned carnival events. The carnival season ends with grand parades, elaborate costumes, and traditional performances just before Lent begins.

In addition to national celebrations, many towns and regions hold their own local festivals. These events often honor historical milestones, patron saints, or seasonal harvests, and provide a chance to experience regional music, dance, and culinary traditions.

Summer in Greece is particularly lively, as countless panigyria (local festivals) take place across islands and mainland villages. These festivals often include live music, traditional dances, food and wine tastings, and communal celebrations that can last late into the night. Each region offers its own unique flavor, making summer an ideal time to explore Greek culture through its local festivities.

Unlike many other countries, Greek Independence Day on March 25 is celebrated in a sober and respectful manner, with parades and official ceremonies.

It’s also important to note that the Greek Orthodox Church calculates Holy Week and Easter differently than Protestant and Roman Catholic churches. As a result, Greek Orthodox Easter usually falls a bit later, though sometimes the dates coincide.