Experience Greece’s Public Holidays

Greece’s public holidays offer a fascinating window into the country’s culture and traditions. With a calendar full of religious and national celebrations, these holidays are times when locals gather for parades, festivals, and family events. For visitors, these occasions provide a unique opportunity to engage with Greek customs and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Whether you’re visiting during an Easter procession or experiencing the patriotic spirit of Ohi Day, these holidays are moments when Greek heritage truly comes alive.

Mastering Your Greek Getaway: Navigating Public Holidays, Closures, and Museum Hours

Public holidays in Greece are more than just celebrations—they often lead to closures, particularly for businesses, schools, and government offices. While these holidays can affect logistics, such as transportation and operating hours, many tourist sites and museums, especially in popular areas, stay open. By knowing which public holidays coincide with your trip, you can plan ahead and ensure you don’t miss out on key attractions, while also experiencing the unique local traditions these days bring.

One important thing to keep in mind is museum schedules. While major museums like the Acropolis Museum and the National Archaeological Museum may remain open on certain holidays, others may close on significant religious days such as Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. Always double-check museum hours in advance to avoid any surprises!

National Public Holidays

New Year’s Day (Protochronia) – January 1

New Year’s Day in Greece is a family-centered holiday that marks the start of the year with good wishes, church services, and the cutting of the Vasilopita (New Year’s cake). Inside the cake is a hidden coin, and whoever finds it is believed to have good luck for the year. It’s also a time for gift-giving and special meals with loved ones.

• Traditions:
  • Cutting the Vasilopita (New Year’s cake).
  • Attending church services.
  • Exchanging gifts and good wishes for the year ahead.

Epiphany (Theophania) – January 6

Epiphany is one of the most important religious holidays in Greece. It celebrates the baptism of Christ and is marked by the Blessing of the Waters ceremony. In coastal towns, priests throw a cross into the sea, and brave swimmers dive in to retrieve it, a ritual believed to bring blessings for the year.

• Traditions:
  • The Blessing of the Waters ceremony.
  • Swimmers dive to retrieve the cross for good luck.
  • Festivities and family gatherings after the ceremony.

Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) – Variable Date

Clean Monday marks the beginning of Great Lent for Greek Orthodox Christians, a time of fasting and spiritual reflection. It’s a day filled with outdoor traditions, family gatherings, and symbolic acts of purification.

• Traditions:

  • Outdoor picnics featuring fasting foods like lagana bread and olives.

  • Kite-flying, symbolizing the soul’s purification.

  • Enjoying time in parks or open spaces with family and friends.

Greek Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation – March 25

March 25 celebrates both Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The day is filled with patriotic parades, church services, and celebrations across the country. Schoolchildren participate in processions, and military parades are held in major cities.

• Traditions:
  • Military and school parades across the country.
  • Church services honoring the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.
  • Traditional dish: bakaliaros skordalia (fried cod with garlic sauce).

Good Friday & Easter Sunday – Variable Dates

Easter is the most significant religious holiday in Greece. The week leading up to Easter Sunday is filled with religious ceremonies. On Good Friday, solemn processions take place, and on Easter Sunday, families gather to celebrate with a festive meal that includes roast lamb and red-dyed eggs, symbolizing the resurrection of Christ.

• Good Friday Traditions:
  • Epitaphios processions through the streets.
  • Candlelit church services.
• Easter Sunday Traditions:
  • Feasting on roast lamb.
  • Egg-cracking and family gatherings.

Labour Day (Protomagia) – May 1

Labour Day is both a celebration of spring and a day of labor rights demonstrations. Greeks traditionally gather wildflowers and create May wreaths, which are hung on doors to welcome the season. In cities, labor unions hold rallies and protests for workers’ rights.

• Traditions:
  • Gathering wildflowers to make May wreaths.
  • Labor rights protests and demonstrations (keep this in mind if you plan to travel around the city).
  • Families head to the countryside for picnics.

Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Dekapentavgoustos) – August 15

One of Greece’s most significant religious holidays, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is marked by pilgrimages to churches, especially on islands like Tinos and Paros. The day is also celebrated with lively village festivals (panigyria), featuring traditional music, dancing, and family gatherings.

• Traditions:
  • Pilgrimages to churches, particularly in rural areas and islands like Tinos and Paros.
  • Religious services celebrating the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
  • Village festivals (panigyria) filled with music, dancing, and festive feasts.

Ohi Day – October 28

Ohi Day commemorates Greece’s rejection of an Italian ultimatum during World War II. The day is marked by patriotic parades, military displays, and events celebrating Greece’s bravery. Schoolchildren often dress in traditional costumes for processions.

• Traditions:
  • Military and school parades.
  • Patriotic speeches and events celebrating Greece’s WWII resistance.
  • Schoolchildren wear traditional Greek costumes.

Christmas Day & Boxing Day – December 25 & 26

Christmas is a deeply religious holiday celebrated with church services, family gatherings, and festive meals. Midnight services are held, and homes are decorated with karavaki (Christmas boats) and Christmas trees. On Boxing Day, families continue their celebrations with extended relatives.

• Traditions:
  • Midnight church services.
  • Family feasts with melomakarona (honey cookies) and kourabiedes (almond shortbread).
  • Karavaki (Christmas boats) and Christmas trees for decoration.

Travel Tips for Public Holidays

1. Transportation: Public transport runs on a limited schedule during public holidays, especially on major religious holidays like Easter and Christmas. Plan your travels carefully, and consider booking transportation in advance for busy holidays.
2. Shopping and Dining: Most shops, supermarkets, and businesses close on public holidays, especially on religious days. However, restaurants and cafes in tourist areas, particularly during the summer months, generally stay open.
3. Museums and Archaeological Sites: While some museums and archaeological sites may close for public holidays, others—especially major ones like the Acropolis Museum and National Archaeological Museum—may remain open, although with reduced hours. On key religious holidays like Easter Sunday, most museums will be closed, but they often reopen the following day. Always check museum websites or the Greek Ministry of Culture website in advance for specific opening hours.
4. Cultural Immersion: Public holidays offer a unique opportunity to experience Greek culture up close. From witnessing solemn Easter processions to attending lively Independence Day parades, these holidays offer insight into Greece’s rich traditions. Participating in these local events will give you a deeper understanding of the country’s cultural identity.
5. Booking Ahead: Popular holidays like Easter and August 15th are peak travel times in Greece, so it’s essential to book accommodations and transportation well in advance.

Public holidays in Greece are more than just days off—they are deeply intertwined with the country’s history, religion, and cultural identity. Whether you’re observing the solemnity of Easter or enjoying the vibrant festivities of Ohi Day, these holidays provide a unique window into Greek life. Remember to check museum opening hours, as some may remain open with reduced hours, while others close their doors for important holidays. Whether you’re traveling for a specific event or looking to experience the local culture, Greece’s public holidays offer both logistical considerations and memorable experiences.