A trip to Greece doesn’t just entail sunbathing, sightseeing, and scrumptious cuisine. An interesting quote paraphrases Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” If there is one thing the country excels at, it’s hosting traditional Greek festivals and celebrations. Grecian culture has certainly made a habit out of a jam-packed calendar.
Instead of whiled-away days spent on beaches or well-trodden attractions plotted into a seasonally ambiguous itinerary, check the calendar. Greece has a rapid succession of religious, cultural, historical, and purely sociable celebrations. Whether you’re settling into Mykonos villas, spending a weekend in Athens, or taking it steady on Antiparos, the next festival won’t be long (or far) away. Attending an annual event creates an exciting sense of novelty and deepens your level of cultural immersion.
This guide contains everything you need to know about traditional Greek celebrations and festivals. It’s safe to say that those visiting Greece have lots of options — here’s how to decide.
Why Festivals Are Central to Greek Culture
Festivities are at the heart and soul of Grecian culture. Picture a trip to Greece, and hospitality, meals, and music come instantly to mind. Some of this has a historical influence; the Ancient Greeks spent extensive time hosting games, feasts, and carnivals for gods and goddesses. Yet, for modern-day Greek citizens, the importance of religious-centered festivities has not dwindled. The only difference is the religion itself; the country now runs under Greek Orthodox beliefs and practices.
Some festivals, like Easter, are well-known and celebrated within the broader community on specific days (or months) of the year. However, individually, Greek people also celebrate name days. Each date of the year has a dedicated martyr or saint, and in Greece, babies automatically receive a religious-inspired name. The result? A second birthday of sorts (although name days are often seen as a bigger event than a traditional birthday).
Socially, a name day is an important affair. It’s a time for hosting, gifts, and gatherings — a great example of how festivities are an essential display of community and connection within Greek culture.
Major Greek Religious Festivals
The Greek Orthodox Church is a branch of Christianity (the third largest), so festivals center around the concept of Christ in Greece. The Orthodox calendar follows a similar format to the Catholic holidays; most tourists will recognize at least two of the following events.
1. Feast of Agios Vassilis
Date: New Year’s Day
Ready for a fun fact? Most Greek children open Christmas presents on New Year’s Day, not December 25th. Saint Basil (aka Agios Vassilis) is their equivalent to Santa Claus. Celebrations include a visit to church, presents, and cutting a vasilopita cake.
2. Epiphany
Date: 6th January
Type: Men dive into water to retrieve a crucifix
How do you celebrate the end of Christmas? Cast a crucifix into freezing water and watch as men jump in to retrieve it. This niche festival concept takes inspiration from the story of God’s revelation as Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
3. The Carnival (Apokries)
Date: 60 days before Easter
You could join in for Lent, but fasting isn’t the most enjoyable tourist activity. Instead, attend Apokries — the weeks of partying that Greeks enjoy pre-Lent. Originally a celebration of Dionysus, the God of wine, it now has three weeks of festivities: one for preparation, one for meat, and one for cheese. Expect colorful parades and parties throughout.
4. Easter
Date: March/April
The Holy Week is a precious part of the Orthodox calendar in Greece. Good Friday and Good Saturday are when celebrations become public (not behind church walls). If fireworks, feasts, and flower-covered coffins sound intriguing, you know when to plan a visit.
5. The Feast of Saint George (Agios Georgios)
Date: April 23rd
Remember that familiar tale of Saint George who slayed a dragon? He’s also the patron saint of soldiers and shepherds. Celebrations of the saint erupt nationwide, but his legacy is particularly revered in areas like Skiathos or Skyros.
6. The Day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Date: August 15th
The ‘Assumption’ celebrates the Virgin Mary’s ascension to heaven. Join passion-enthused pilgrims as they walk — or crawl — to churches dedicated to the Mother of Christ. Celebrations are particularly colorful in Paros, where residents follow a procession while drinking wine and dancing. Keep this in mind when scouring Paros villa rentals.
7. Christmas
Date: December 25th
The concept of Santa might have to wait until January 1st, but the birth of Christ is an equally celebrated affair. Expect lively door-to-door carol singing and dramatic Christmas boats called Karavaki.
Seasonal and Local Festivals
Any seasoned visitor understands the importance of smaller communities in Greece. The country might follow a calendar of Orthodox religious events, but localized festivals are just as special.
The local affairs might occur on a single island or in just one city. The likelihood is that these festivities are more intricately connected with the community and specific land’s geology — creating niche events with promises of high novelty. Here are a few for your diary.
1. Ifestia Festival
Date: September
Type: A volcano festival on Santorini
Santorini was born from the bowels of dramatic volcanic eruptions. And while it might be dormant now, residents celebrate its fiery heritage every September with the Ifestia Festival. Red fireworks burst over the remains of the caldera, a fantastic sight to behold.
2. Athens Marathon
Date: November
Type: The original marathon
The history of this iconic 26-mile run is tragic. Phiedippides was an ancient messenger who ran back from the Marathon battlefield, completing the route but collapsing and dying upon arrival. Attending (or running) the Athens Marathon whisks you back to Ancient Greece and the original marathon route.
Cultural and Historical Celebrations
What’s a trip to Greece without history and culture? The aforementioned festivities touch on the importance of local traditions and the wider significance of religion in the Greek calendar. Yet there’s a notable gap: performing arts.
3. Athens Epidaurus Festival
Date: June-August (but set to change annually)
Imagine attending a live performance in the stone ruins of an Ancient Greek theater. Athens Epidaurus Festival is a cultural celebration that performing arts enthusiasts should immediately pencil in. Live music, dance, and theater performances are on the cards.
4. Thessaloniki International Film Festival
Date: November
Embrace the beauty of film in the stunning location of Thessaloniki. Each November, the festival erupts into a Hollywood-esque schedule of screenings, parties, exhibits, and master classes. Ralph Fiennes and Joshua Oppenheimer were among last year’s attendees.
Unique Regional Festivals
Greece does not have states or counties. Instead, the country is divided into 13 administrative regions, including the North Aegean, South Aegean, Ionian Islands, Peloponnese, and Attica. Each region has its own unique sense of culture, lifestyle, and history. And, of course, this creates regional festivities that the savvy tourist can gatecrash during their visit.
The best way to discover what regional offerings might be available is with destination-specific research. But here’s some food for thought; two carnivals that vary massively because of their region.
1. Carnival of Patras
Region: Peloponnese
Date: Between January and March
The jovial Carnival of Patras is a (predominantly satirical) event for your calendar. Attend parades bursting with color and music, and embrace rowdy festivity at every corner. Slightly tongue-in-cheek, there are cheeky performances poking fun at political leaders.
2. Carnival of Corfu
Region: Ionian Islands
Date: February to March
Scoping out Corfu luxury villas? Luxurious accommodation aside, the Carnival of Corfu justifies a trip to the island. The history of Venetian occupation has left a mark on the island and its festivities; the processions are influenced by Venetian processions. Expect elaborate masks and elegant dresses.
Food and Drink at Festivals
Feasts are the pulse of Greek festivities. When attending a celebration or festival, it’s safe to assume there’ll be produce, wine-tasting, or a formal sit-down meal on the cards.
Note whether it’s appropriate for you to bring an item beforehand. Dining and cooking together is a Greek bonding activity; it’s an integral part of celebrations, especially amongst large families.
How to Participate as a Tourist
Participation as a tourist is a cultural honor — not necessarily a guarantee. The good news is that many traditional festivals in Greece have an open-door and all-welcome policy. However, prior research is essential to avoid disappointment.
It’s not merely a question of establishing what events are happening when (skip ahead for more details on planning your trip around Greek festivals). Some events offer tourists varying participation levels. For instance, Epiphany welcomes tourists to watch, but participation is restricted. Check whether formal registration is required or if there’s a blanket ban on tourists participating in certain roles. If possible, contact local organizers ahead of time.
Planning Your Trip Around Greek Festivals
With our recommendations complete, all that’s left to do is plan a trip of a lifetime. Easier said than done, right? However, incorporating traditional Greek festivals and celebrations into your visit doesn’t need to be difficult. These are the primary considerations when prioritizing festivities in a Greek itinerary:
-
- Pick the right dates. Organization is non-negotiable when planning a trip around Greek festivals. Check that dates align with the correct year (some change annually based on external factors) and allow buffer zones for travel disruption. For instance, plan to arrive two days before a festival in case of flight cancellations.
- Choose accommodation carefully. Don’t research Santorini hotels when you’re most interested in Agia Marina (a three-day festival in Antiparos Port) — research the best Antiparos villas for rent. Festival experiences are easier when you plan conveniently-based accommodation, e.g. same-island stays.
- Establish the level of appropriate participation. Not all events are entirely open to tourists, so research beforehand. Still unsure? Contact local tourism boards, activity operators, or hotels for advice.
- Ensure travel insurance is suitable. Most Greek festivals won’t jeopardize your travel insurance, but be wary of any “extreme” activities or sports. Nobody wants to end a celebration with void coverage.
- Plan ahead. Shops and major amenities shut during Greek festivities, so stock up beforehand.