Greece celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year, some of which are based on religious traditions and others with historical or cultural significance.
Here are the major public holidays in Greece:
New Year's Day - January 1st: Greeks celebrate the start of the new year with gatherings, fireworks, and traditional New Year's cake, Vasilopita.
Epiphany - January 6th: This holiday commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
It is celebrated with the Great Blessing of the Waters, where a cross is thrown into the sea or a river, and young men dive to retrieve it.
Clean Monday - Date varies (usually in February or March): Marks the beginning of Lent in the Eastern Orthodox Church. People engage in outdoor activities and
enjoy vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Independence Day - March 25th: Celebrates Greece's War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. It includes parades and cultural events.
Good Friday - Date varies (the Friday before Easter): Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus with religious services and processions.
Easter - Date varies: Easter is the most important religious holiday in Greece. It includes midnight church services, the cracking of red eggs, and a festive Easter meal.
Labour Day - May 1st: A day to celebrate workers' rights, often marked by parades and demonstrations.
Whit Monday - Date varies (the day after Pentecost): A Christian holiday celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit. It's a day for outdoor activities and family gatherings.
Assumption of Mary - August 15th: A public holiday celebrating the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. Many people attend church services.
Ohi Day - October 28th: Commemorates Greece's refusal to surrender to Italian forces during World War II. Parades and patriotic events are held.
Christmas - December 25th: Christmas is celebrated with church services, festive meals, and gift-giving. In Greece, it's also customary to light a large candle on Christmas Eve.
Boxing Day - December 26th: Known as "Synaxis of the Mother of God," it's a religious holiday observed with church services.
These are the major public holidays in Greece, but there are also regional and local festivals and observances that vary by area and community.
Greece has a rich cultural and religious heritage, and its holidays reflect this diversity.
