Apokries (Carnival)
Season or date: 7 weeks before Easter to Clean Monday
Greek version of carnival with costume parades and confetti filling the streets.
Festivals in Greece
Discover traditional festivals and celebrations of this country
Festivals
Orthodox Easter (Pascha)
Season or date: Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox
The biggest religious event celebrated with candlelight processions and roasted lamb.
Athens & Epidaurus Festival
Season or date: June–October
International arts festival of theater, music, and dance held in ancient theaters.
Ohi Day (Entry into WWII Anniversary)
Season or date: October 28
National holiday commemorating the 1940 rejection of Italy''s ultimatum.
Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Season or date: November
The Balkans'' largest film festival.
Santorini Jazz Festival
Season or date: July
International jazz concerts held at venues overlooking the caldera.
Crete Wine Festival
Season or date: Late June
Festival of local wine and music held in the suburbs of Heraklion.
Panigiri (Village Patron Saint Festival)
Season or date: Each village''s feast day
Traditional fair with all-night dancing and local cuisine.
Posidonia Yacht Race
Season or date: June
International offshore regatta held in the Saronic Gulf.
Mati Festival (Dormition of the Theotokos related)
Season or date: Around August 15
Festival on Corfu Island featuring religious processions and fireworks.
Public holidays
- New Year''s Day (January 1)
- Epiphany (January 6)
- Clean Monday (movable)
- Independence Day (March 25)
- Good Friday (movable)
- Easter Sunday (movable)
- May Day (May 1)
- Whit Monday (movable)
- Dormition of the Theotokos (August 15)
- Ohi Day (October 28)
- Nativity (December 25)
- Synaxis of the Mother of God (December 26)