7 Holidays & Festivals to Celebrate in Greece

Experience Greece in a festive way by traveling to these 7 unique and exciting events and celebrations.

Traditional celebrations and events play a huge role in Greek culture. It’s no secret that Greece knows how to throw a good party, and is home to some of the biggest and most cherished festivals in Europe. It's hard for a week to go by without some kind of event or festival happening somewhere in the country. While some are purely religious and meaningful, others are full of vibrance, excitement, and performances attracting visitors from all over the world.

These are some of our favorite Greek festivals, and each is worth planning a trip around the worth just to witness.

It’s hard to choose the BEST festivals and holidays in Greece, as there are just too many to choose from. However, we have managed to narrow it down to 7 of our favorite Greece celebrations you don't; want to miss.

Epiphany, also known as the festival of light, originating from the Greek word, manifestation, is the celebration of the revelation of Christ as the Messiah and second person of the Trinity. During Epiphany, The Greek Orthodox Church performs the ‘Great Blessing of the Waters.’ It is performed twice a day, the night before during the Great Feast, and the day of. Men and boys surround the priest as he throws a cross into the sea, or body of water, and observers dive straight in to catch it; the lucky one who finds it is blessed by the priest.

Keep in Mind: Most museums, restaurants, and ancient sites are closed on epiphany days in Greece.

Easter is the biggest and most celebrated holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. There are weeks of fasting beforehand and during Lent, a weekend carnival celebration. Started 40 days before easter, Lent starts on ‘smokey Thursday’, eating one last meal of meat; thus, Carnival begins. Festivals, parades, and huge part floats fill the streets of Greek for three weeks. Good Friday, leading into Saturday is the ultimate feast, and breaking of the 40-day fast. The Red Egg game is played the night before easter, with the goal of being to first to crack the egg, or Jesus out of his tomb.

Keep in Mind: Most museums and ancient sites are closed on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

Labor Day in Greece, also known as May Day, is rooted in the bloody uprising of workers. Most places of business are closed, and instead, family and friends gather on the first of May to make garlands of flowers. In honor of Protomagia, a celebration occurs of the awakening of nature after a long period of winter. There are many festivals and celebrations, and many people flock to the countryside to fly kites, picnic and gather wildflowers for their garland, or, Stefania. It is the day of the first swim of the season for locals, and in Corfu, a Cyprus tree with yellow daisies is carried around town singing joyous songs about the coming of the season.

Keep in Mind: Most museums, restaurants, places of business, and ancient sites are closed during Labor day in Greece

The Epidaurus Festival is an annual festival in Athens, Greece all summer long including musical, theatrical, drama, and cultural events. It is one of the oldest performing arts festivals in Europe. Lectures and performances are typically held in the port village in the Little Theater and Ancient Theater of Epidaurus and of course, the infamous Sanctuary of Asclepius in Epidaurus. In July, agricultural exhibitions flood the city with local products. Ancient Greeks believed being a spectator to such events can improve health, making each event and performance just as important and popular as the other.

Keep in Mind: As the Edpidaurus lasts all summer, museums and most ancient sites keep their normal hours and are closed every Sunday.

A Panigiri, or saints Day, is a centuries-old traditional festival organized during the summer months mainly in the villages of Greek islands where the main saint is celebrated. You may catch some interesting cultural festivals, including not just sayings and chanting, but an array of delicious food, local wines, and a lot of good music. People typically gather together drink lots of wine and taste soups, oils, sauces, and salads. It is a celebration with a balance between the wild and serene, where young and old gather together to celebrate life, drink, and be merry.

Keep in Mind: As Panagiria’s lasts the month of July, and may pop up other times in the summer, museums and most ancient sites keep their normal hours and are closed every Sunday.

Celebrated in cities throughout Greece and Cyprus, Ohi Day is a national holiday full of pride. The Prime Minister of Greece denied Mussolini's request to allow Italian troops to cross the Greece border and is now celebrated by representing bravery, solidarity, and heroism for soldiers and millions of Greeks. Blue and white flags and colored decorations flood the streets, and military and student parades will the cities, with locals cheering them on. Residents will gather to lay wreaths at the foot of military monuments and the Greek National Anthem is always played at the end of every tradition or event.

Keep in Mind: In the United States, when you hear “holiday,” you think everything will be closed but the city is PACKED with free museums and entires. Most other shops and businesses are closed.

The Athens Classic Marathon is an annual marathon race taking place throughout the streets of Athens, Greece. As the word ‘marathon’ originated in Greece, this is a spectacular event to attend. According to legend, it covers the same route that Athenian messenger Phiedippides ran 2,500 years ago; runners can run the same route where gods and heroes birthed the western civilization. Spectators can witness runners make their way 26.2 miles around the city, ending their journey at Olympic Stadium, and experience Sponsors Village, with unique side events and celebrations.

Keep in Mind: A large part of the historic center has been turned into a pedestrian zone. With close to 100,00 visitors, be sure to buy tickets to museums and ancient sites well in advance.

No matter what time of year you decide to visit the magical land of Greece, there's bound to be a festival taking place. We hope you have enjoyed this guide to 7 of the best holidays and festivals in Greece, and that it’s inspired you to plan your next trip to Greece around one of these exciting experiences.