Holidays
On holidays, banks, authorities, and many shops are closed. Supermarkets have reduced opening hours or are completely closed. Restaurants and tourist facilities usually remain open during the season — but not always.
Important: Greece follows the Orthodox calendar for Easter and Pentecost. The Orthodox Easter rarely falls on the same date as the Western one — sometimes up to 5 weeks later!
| Date | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Protochronia (New Year) | Everything closed |
| January 6 | Theophany / Epiphany | Blessing of the waters, cross-diving in harbors |
| Variable (Feb/March) | Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday) | Start of Lent, kite flying, picnic day |
| March 25 | National Holiday | Independence Day + Annunciation. Military parades |
| Variable (April/May) | Megali Paraskevi (Good Friday) | Orthodox! Evening Epitaphios processions in every city |
| Variable (April/May) | Pascha (Easter Sunday) | THE most important festival. Lamb roast, fireworks, "Christos Anesti!" |
| Variable (April/May) | Easter Monday (Deftera tou Pascha) | Family picnic, everything closed |
| May 1 | Protomagia (Labor Day) | Flower wreaths, excursions to the countryside |
| Variable | Pentecost Monday (Agiou Pnevmatos) | 50 days after Easter, long weekend |
| August 15 | Koimisis tis Theotokou (Assumption of Mary) | EVERYTHING closed! Pilgrimages, crowded islands |
| October 28 | Ochi Day (National Holiday) | "No!" to Mussolini 1940. Student parades |
| December 25 | Christougenna (Christmas) | Quieter than in Germany |
| December 26 | Synaxis tis Theotokou | Second Christmas Day |
Orthodox Easter — a Special Experience
Easter is more important than Christmas for Greeks. Holy Week (Megali Evdomada) is intense: On Good Friday evening, solemn Epitaphios processions pass through every city and village — with brass bands, candles, and decorated biers. On Saturday night at midnight, the highlight: "Christos Anesti!" (Christ is risen!), fireworks, firecrackers, and lamb soup (Magiritsa). On Easter Sunday, lamb is roasted on the spit everywhere.
Best places for Easter: Corfu (spectacular pot-throwing tradition on Holy Saturday), Patmos, Tinos, Hydra, every Greek village on the mainland.
💡 Tipp
On August 15, EVERY Greek travels to their home island. Ferries and flights are booked out weeks in advance! If you travel in mid-August, book ferries and accommodations at least 2 months in advance.