Opa! Celebrating 3000 Years of History: The Best Festivals…

When traveling through Greece, you can’t help but be entranced by the combination of religious and mythical festivities. Throughout the centuries, the lands of Greece and her Grecian inhabitants have celebrated their ancient rituals and unmatched victories. Join them for the best festivals in Greece in banishing evil spirits, dancing in medieval castles, feasting on the savory local cuisine & when The Son rises, make sure your red egg comes up unbroken.

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January Greek Festivals & Celebrations

The Epiphany

January 6th-Throughout Greece– Known as the feast of Fota. During this day waters are blessed and evil spirits banished. In the waterways throughout the country, priests throw a cross into the water and locals dive in to recover it. The person who recovers the cross has luck & is blessed.

February Greek Festivals & Celebrations

Apokrias – (Carnival Season)

Held the last two weeks of February- This whimsical time carries on throughout Greece and is likened to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Thebes even holds a mock shepherds wedding.

March Greek Festivals & Celebrations

Independence Day

March 25- Celebrating Greece’s victory in the war of independence. Parades & marches take place throughout Greece marking the removal of the Turks after 400 years of occupying Greece. March 25th marks the actual day Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the rebellion flag at the monastery of Agia Lavra in northern Peleponisos. On the day of the celebrations expect all archaeological sites and museums to be closed.

Clean Monday aka Katheri Deftera

Taking place 40 days before Easter.This marks the first day of lent and the end of Carnival. Traditional foods to be consumed this day are
Octopus, shrimps, olives, taramasalata and halvah. Custom says to go out into the country and fly paper kites.

April Greek Festivals & Celebrations

Orthodox Easter

Easter Week- The date changes every year so check with the local Greek Orthodox church. The candle procession begins on Good Friday accompanied by the traditional feast of dyed red Easter eggs and Magaritsa soup. Following this, on Saturday, comes the ringing of the bells during the ceremony of the Resurrection. Sunday, lambs are roasted on a spit and wine is shared throughout. Red eggs are cracked against each other. The tradition goes, whomever has the last uncracked egg has good luck. If you have the opportunity to stay in Crete, on Easter Sunday, they celebrate by burning an effigy of Judas Iskariot.

May Greek Festivals & Celebrations

The Feast of The Flowers – May Day

May 1- Throughout Greece-The Feast of the Flowers and Labor Day. This day marks the first day of spring and is celebrated in remembrance of the Goddess Dimitra. You can join in with the locals festivities by taking a picnic in the country and picking flowers. Fashion the flowers into wreaths and hang them on your door or even your balcony. They’ll hang there until August 29th, when the wreathes are burned in a bonfire on the feast of St. John day.

The Holiday Weekend of Pentekoste (50 days) and Agios Pnevmatos (The Holy Spirit)

This long weekend is celebrated by most Athenians by leaving Athens and traveling to the islands and villages to relax. Pentekoste marks the 50th day since the Greek Orthodox Easter & 10 days since the ascension of Jesus Christ. Monday of that weekend or Agios Pnevmatos is the day of the Holy Spirit’s descent on the Apostles to assist them in speaking whatever tongue the people listening to them will understand. Ferries run from Thurs- Tues. Make sure you have your hotel accommodations and ferry tickets in advance

Anasternaria

May 21-23 Follow the locals to experience traditional fire walking that dates back to the Pagan times. Marvel in the fiery glow as villagers near Serres & Thessaloniki dance with icons of the Saints Constantine &Helen, dancing on burning charcoal embers without getting burned

June Greek Festivals & Celebrations

The Athens & Epidaurus Festival

Held from June to August in Athens- Get lost in the classical Greek theatrical performances. With musical concerts, Greek drama, and contemporary dance, along with other events and lectures, this is considered to be one of the most important cultural festivals in all of Greece.

July
Greek Festivals & Celebrations

The Folk Dances of Kalamata At The International Dance Festival

Located at the base of Taygetos Mountain on the edge of Messinian Bay, this dance festival attracts international talent. Enjoy the profound performances at the medieval castle for 10 days in July featuring traditional folk dances.

Wine Festivals

In July in Crete Wine festivals are held in the towns of Rethymnon and Heraklion in the middle of the month.

The Folklore Festival of Elefsis

Held in mid-July near Athens is an epic festival of folklore including performances and local cuisine.

Cricket Week

Corfu-Professionals, amateurs & enthusiast from the UK to Corfu gather to enjoy the week of games and festivities.

The Patras Festival

Running from July through September in this iconic port city, brings the best in Rock, Blues, Classical and Theater to the Ancient Odeon.

August
Greek Festivals & Celebrations

Sardine Festival

The first week in August in Kaloni, wander the food stalls sampling local versions of fish and ouzo. Join in the traditional dance to music while wandering the various events throughout the area.

The Olympus Festival

One of the largest cultural events in northern Greece. The event hosts a guest country where they offer both Greek and the visiting country’s cultures through musical and theatrical performances.

The Aegean Symposium

In Molyvos- Mid August- Wander the castle overlooking the city in Levos while taking in the cultural and theatrical performances.

Horse Racing in Skyros

Marvel as the small ponies race in this island paradise. Jockeys and maidens dress in local traditional costumes for the extravaganza.

September
Greek Festivals & Celebrations

International Trade Fair, Song & Film Festival

The first week in September- held in Thessaloniki- This event, also known as TIF is held in the second largest city in Greece. Before the events begin, the Prime Minister of the country speaks about the affairs of government for the coming year. During the fair, the song & film festival take place as well making this both a commercial and cultural event.

Grape Festivals

Held every September in Corinth, Pidni– With the coming of the harvests, make sure you attend one of the Grape Festivals held throughout this region during September.

Santorini International Music Festival

The first three weeks in September- Santorini, Greece- Get lost in this epic city to the sounds of well known orchestras, conductors and performances of classical music. The stage attracts artists and performers from the world over.

October
Greek Festivals & Celebrations

Ochi Day

October 28 – Throughout the country-Celebrating the day Greece held Italy back from occupying the country during WWII. This day is celebrated with military parades throughout Greece in the major towns & cities

Eleftheria Festival

Held In October -In Larissia- This popular event showcases spectacular dances and theatrical performances throughout.

November
Greek Festivals & Celebrations

Anniversary of the Holocaust

During the first week of November, there is a special remembrance held at the Arkadi Monastery in Rethymnon, Crete.

Michael & Gabriel

November 8th – Throughout Greece- This date in Greece is their name day.

December
Greek Festivals & Celebrations

Saint Nicholas Day

December 6th–Throughout Greece, this is when his name day is celebrated.

The Kladaries

December 23rd- In Kozani and the village of Siatista, ceremonies are held to commemorate the shepherds who lit the bonfires announcing the birth of Jesus Christ. Bonfires are lit & dances are performed around the fires while enjoying local wines. The best bonfires win prizes.

Christmas Eve

December 24th- If you’re planning a trip around the Children walk through neighborhoods, ride on trains and buses singing Christmas Carols. Some towns light fires and the residents walk from fire to fire singing carols.

Seamen’s Model Competition

December 31st- In Chios- Join in the celebration as the seamen from the island carry around 3 meter models of ships singing island songs. Finishing up at the central square they await the votes and the four best models win a prize.

Note: This info was accurate when it was published but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates, dates and details directly with the locations and events in question before planning your trip

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