Greece Public Holidays
Greece Public Holidays
Searching for the national holidays in Greece? All public holidays in Greece are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Greece employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Greece and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.
Greece, with its ancient history, rich cultural heritage, and significant role in the development of Western civilization, celebrates a variety of public holidays that reflect its religious traditions, historical milestones, and cultural values. Many of Greece’s public holidays are deeply connected to the Greek Orthodox Church, which plays a central role in the lives of the majority of Greeks. These religious holidays commemorate saints, significant events in Christianity, and moments in the life of Jesus Christ. However, Greece also celebrates secular holidays that honor national independence, historical events, and the achievements of its citizens. These public holidays foster a sense of unity, pride, and connection to the past, while offering time for rest and reflection.
National Holidays in Greece
1. New Year’s Day (Πρωτοχρονιά) – January 1
Date: January 1
Description: New Year’s Day in Greece is celebrated with a blend of religious and secular traditions. It marks the beginning of the new year and is observed with family gatherings, feasts, and festive activities. Greeks also celebrate St. Basil’s Day, as St. Basil is a key figure in the tradition of gift-giving in Greece, similar to Santa Claus in other cultures. On New Year’s Eve, there are parties, fireworks, and a traditional custom where families cut a special cake called “Vasilopita,” with a coin hidden inside. The person who finds the coin is said to have good luck for the year ahead.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
2. Epiphany (Θεοφάνεια) – January 6
Date: January 6
Description: Epiphany is an important Christian holiday in Greece, celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan. The holiday is also known as the “Feast of the Theophany.” It is celebrated with church services and the “Blessing of the Waters,” a ceremony in which the priest throws a cross into a body of water, and young men dive to retrieve it. This is a highly anticipated event in many coastal towns, where the waters are often very cold. In addition to the religious observance, families enjoy meals together and exchange blessings.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
3. Clean Monday (Καθαρή Δευτέρα) – Varies (February/March)
Date: Varies (February/March)
Description: Clean Monday marks the first day of Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Church, signifying the beginning of a period of fasting, prayer, and repentance. It is celebrated with outdoor gatherings, picnics, and the consumption of vegetarian foods, as Orthodox Christians abstain from meat, dairy, and other animal products during Lent. The holiday is celebrated with a variety of traditional Greek foods, such as olives, bread, vegetables, and seafood. People often visit parks and the countryside to enjoy nature and celebrate with family and friends.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
4. Independence Day (Εθνική Εορτή της 25ης Μαρτίου) – March 25
Date: March 25
Description: Independence Day commemorates the beginning of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. The day is marked by parades, military displays, and ceremonies. The Greek flag is displayed prominently across the country, and schools, universities, and government offices hold events to celebrate the country’s sovereignty. It is also a religious holiday honoring the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, and many Greeks attend church services. Independence Day is one of the most important national holidays in Greece, and it is celebrated with great pride and enthusiasm.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
5. Labour Day (Πρωτομαγιά) – May 1
Date: May 1
Description: Labour Day, or May Day, is observed to honor workers and their contributions to society. It is a day for workers’ rights and social justice, often marked by demonstrations, parades, and speeches organized by trade unions and labor organizations. The day also has roots in ancient Greek traditions, celebrating the arrival of spring and the festival of flowers. May Day is associated with the customs of picking flowers and making wreaths, and it is common for Greeks to spend time outdoors enjoying nature.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
6. Ascension Day (Αναλήψεως) – Varies (May/June)
Date: Varies (May/June)
Description: Ascension Day marks the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, celebrated 40 days after Easter. This day holds significant religious importance in the Greek Orthodox Church and is marked by church services and processions. In some regions of Greece, it is also a day for local festivals and fairs. Ascension Day is a public holiday, and many businesses, government offices, and schools are closed. It is a day for reflection on the significance of Christ’s ascension and his ongoing presence in the lives of believers.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
7. Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή) – Varies (May/June)
Date: Varies (May/June)
Description: Pentecost is a Christian holiday that celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles of Jesus Christ. It is considered the birthday of the Christian Church. In Greece, Pentecost is celebrated with church services, prayers, and feasts. The day is often spent with family and friends, reflecting on the significance of the Holy Spirit and the role it plays in the lives of Christians. Pentecost is a public holiday, and most businesses and government offices are closed.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
8. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Κοίμησις της Θεοτόκου) – August 15
Date: August 15
Description: The Assumption of the Virgin Mary is one of the most significant religious holidays in Greece, particularly for the Greek Orthodox Church. It celebrates the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken bodily into heaven. The day is observed with church services, processions, and celebrations. Many Greeks visit the island of Tinos, known for its famous church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, to pray and celebrate. Assumption Day is a public holiday, and it is one of the most widely celebrated religious holidays in Greece.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
9. Ohi Day (Εθνική Εορτή της 28ης Οκτωβρίου) – October 28
Date: October 28
Description: Ohi Day commemorates the day in 1940 when Greece refused an ultimatum from Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator, and entered World War II. The holiday is celebrated with military parades, speeches, and patriotic displays throughout the country. Ohi Day is one of Greece’s most important national holidays, and it is a time for the Greek people to reflect on their country’s resilience and courage during wartime. It is celebrated with great pride, and many Greeks attend parades and other events.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
10. Christmas Day (Χριστούγεννα) – December 25
Date: December 25
Description: Christmas Day is a major holiday in Greece, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a day for religious observances, family gatherings, and festive meals. The Christmas season in Greece is marked by the decoration of homes, the lighting of Christmas trees, and the sharing of meals. A traditional Greek Christmas meal often includes lamb, pork, and various sweets. The holiday is also associated with special church services, and many Greeks attend midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is a public holiday, and most businesses, government offices, and schools are closed.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
11. Boxing Day (Εορτή του Αγίου Στεφάνου) – December 26
Date: December 26
Description: Boxing Day, also known as St. Stephen’s Day, is observed the day after Christmas and is marked by family gatherings, relaxation, and continuing Christmas celebrations. While not as widely celebrated as Christmas Day itself, Boxing Day is a public holiday in Greece. Many Greeks take the opportunity to visit relatives, enjoy festive meals, and unwind after the Christmas festivities. It is a time for more informal and relaxed celebrations compared to the solemnity of Christmas Day.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
Religious Holidays in Greece
1. St. George’s Day (Εορτή του Αγίου Γεωργίου) – April 23
Date: April 23
Description: St. George’s Day is dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of Greece. This day is celebrated with church services, prayers, and community festivals. St. George is a significant figure in Greek Orthodoxy, and his feast day is marked by religious observances, especially in villages and towns where St. George is particularly revered.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
2. All Saints’ Day (Εορτή των Αγίων) – First Sunday after Pentecost
Date: First Sunday after Pentecost
Description: All Saints’ Day in Greece honors all the saints recognized by the Greek Orthodox Church. The day is marked by attending church services, prayers, and visits to cemeteries to honor deceased relatives. All Saints’ Day is a religious observance with deep spiritual significance. It is a time to reflect on the lives of saints and martyrs and their role in shaping the faith.
Observance: Nationally, particularly in Orthodox communities
Days Off: 1
3. St. Nicholas Day (Εορτή του Αγίου Νικολάου) – December 6
Date: December 6
Description: St. Nicholas Day celebrates the life and deeds of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors and children. The holiday is particularly important in coastal towns where St. Nicholas is venerated. It is observed with church services, processions, and local festivals. St. Nicholas Day is also associated with Christmas celebrations, as St. Nicholas is considered the precursor to the modern-day Santa Claus.
Observance: Nationally
Days Off: 1
Public Holidays Observance and Work Schedule
The following table shows the public holidays, the number of days off, and which groups of people observe the holidays.
| Holiday | Date | Days Off | Groups Observing |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Πρωτοχρονιά) | January 1 | 1 | Nationally |
| Epiphany (Θεοφάνεια) | January 6 | 1 | Nationally |
| Clean Monday (Καθαρή Δευτέρα) | Varies (February/March) | 1 | Nationally |
| Independence Day (Εθνική Εορτή της 25ης Μαρτίου) | March 25 | 1 | Nationally |
| Labour Day (Πρωτομαγιά) | May 1 | 1 | Nationally |
| Ascension Day (Αναλήψεως) | Varies (May/June) | 1 | Nationally |
| Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή) | Varies (May/June) | 1 | Nationally |
| Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Κοίμησις της Θεοτόκου) | August 15 | 1 | Nationally |
| Ohi Day (Εθνική Εορτή της 28ης Οκτωβρίου) | October 28 | 1 | Nationally |
| Christmas Day (Χριστούγεννα) | December 25 | 1 | Nationally |
| Boxing Day (Εορτή του Αγίου Στεφάνου) | December 26 | 1 | Nationally |
| St. George’s Day (Εορτή του Αγίου Γεωργίου) | April 23 | 1 | Nationally |
| All Saints’ Day (Εορτή των Αγίων) | First Sunday after Pentecost | 1 | Nationally, Christian communities |
| St. Nicholas Day (Εορτή του Αγίου Νικολάου) | December 6 | 1 | Nationally |
