Public Holidays Greece

Last Updated on 26 August 2025 by Johan

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Greece celebrates a wide range of public holidays and local festivals throughout the year. These holidays often differ by region and are deeply rooted in religious traditions, historical events, and local customs. For visitors, understanding the timing and nature of these holidays is essential, as museums, archaeological sites, shops, and banks may be closed on official holidays.

National Public Holidays in Greece

  • January 1 – New Year’s Day
  • January 6 – Epiphany
  • March 6 – Ash Monday (Clean Monday)
  • March 13 – First Monday of Lent
  • March 25 – Independence Day
  • April 21 – Greek Good Friday
  • April 23–24 – Greek Easter Festival
  • May 1 – Labor Day
  • June 12 – Greek Pentecost
  • August 15 – Assumption of the Virgin Mary
  • October 28 – Ochi Day (commemorating Greece’s refusal to surrender in WWII)
  • December 25 – Christmas

Local tip: Easter is the most important religious celebration in Greece. In towns like Corfu, Kalamata, and Athens, expect candlelit processions, midnight fireworks, and the symbolic burning of Judas effigies.

Regional and Cultural Festivals

These events are celebrated in specific towns and regions, often featuring music, dance, food, and religious ceremonies:

  • Alexandroupolis (May 5–14) – Eleftheria Festival, marking liberation from Ottoman rule
  • Chanioti (May 21) – Agios Konstantinos and Eleni celebration
  • Ververate, Dafnona, Flatsia (May 21) – Local religious festivities
  • Didimoticho (May 21) – Agios Konstantinos feast
  • Alexandroupolis (May 24–26) – Folk dance and traditional wedding reenactments
  • Vrondou (June) – Flower Show (first 10 days of the month)
  • Korinos (June) – Feast of the Holy Spirit at Trinity Church
  • Peristasi (June) – Pontia cultural festival
  • Methoni (June 26) – Agios Ioannis celebration
  • Sani (June 29) – Festival honoring Saints Peter and Paul
  • Sani Beach Hotel (July–August) – Sani Music and Dance Festival
  • Siviri (July–August) – Wine Festival
  • Alexandroupolis (July–August) – Cultural events and performances
  • Egnatia Park, Arnea (July) – Theater festival
  • Makrigialos (July) – Folk Festival
  • Nea Moudania (mid-July) – Mussel Festival
  • Maherado (mid-July) – Sardine Festival
  • Fourka (July 1) – Agia Mavra celebration
  • Alexandroupolis (July 17) – Agia Marina festivities
  • Samothraki (July 15–August 30) – Cultural Festival
  • Dion (July 26) – Agia Paraskevi feast
  • Makri, Avdira, Samothraki, Alonia (July 26) – Local celebrations for Agia Paraskevi
  • Arnea (July 27) – Feast of Saint Panteleimon
  • Didimoticho (July 26) – Socratia athletics event
  • Litohoro / Dion (August) – Byzantine Castle Festival
  • Platamonas (August) – Olympus Festival
  • Rizia (August) – Cultural events in the crusader castle
  • Zakynthos Town (August) – Summer Cultural Festival and Bicycle Rally (Aug 22–31)
  • Agia Paraskevi (August 24) – Procession of Saint Dionysos
  • Zakynthos (August 29) – Agios Ioannis celebration
  • Thessaloniki (end of August–early September) – Wine Festival
  • Katerini (September) – Film Festival
  • Agios Mamas (September 1–7) – Trade Festival
  • Orthonies (September 2) – Agios Ioannis feast
  • Eginio (September 8) – Spiliotissa celebration
  • Nikiti, Sithonia (September 12–18) – Trade Festival
  • Eginio (September 15) – Folk Festival
  • Thessaloniki (around September 17) – Cultural festival at Agios Andreas Church
  • Thessaloniki (September 22–23) – Light and Sound Festival
  • Thessaloniki (October) – Cultural events honoring Saint Demetrius
  • Katerini (October) – Light and Sound Festival
  • Katerini (October 16) – Liberation Day (1912)
  • Zakynthos Town (October 28) – Ochi Day celebrations
  • Greece (December 17) – Procession of Saint Dionysos

Local tip: The Olympus Festival in Platamonas and Dion offers a rare chance to enjoy classical music and theater in ancient settings near Mount Olympus.

Name Days in Greece

Name days are widely celebrated and often more important than birthdays. Most Greeks are named after saints, and on the day that saint is commemorated, individuals named after them receive guests, host gatherings, and exchange good wishes.

Local tip: If you’re visiting Greece during a major name day (e.g., Agios Georgios or Agia Paraskevi), expect lively street scenes, music, and open invitations to join the festivities.

Greek Easter Traditions

Greek Easter is the most significant religious event of the year. Key traditions include:

  • Good Friday: Processions with embroidered representations of Christ’s tomb (Epitaphios)
  • Holy Saturday: Midnight mass and the proclamation of the Resurrection (Anastasi)
  • Judas burning: Symbolic bonfires outside churches
  • Easter Sunday: Feasting on lamb, tsoureki (sweet bread), koulourakia (cookies), and red-dyed eggs

Local tip: In Thessaloniki, the Anastasi ceremony at midnight is especially moving, with thousands gathering in candlelight to ring bells and chant together.

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