January Festivals
Feast of St Basil: celebrated on New Year’s Day, this festival is concerned with bringing good luck to Greek citizens for the year ahead. A special cake, known as the Vassilopita, is prepared and a coin hidden inside. After the cake is distributed, the person with the coin in his/her slice is supposed to be blessed with good luck for the next 12 months. Feast of the Epiphany: celebrated across the country on the 6th of month, this popular religious festival sees locals perform a ritual known as the Blessing of the Waters. Crosses are thrown into the sea or nearby waterways and swimmers dive in to retrieve them, thereby allegedly they are blessed with good luck. March Festivals
Katheri Deftera: this is the first day of the religious season of Lent and Greek citizens traditionally head for the countryside to pursue the age old art of kite flying. The festival falls on different dates depending on variations in the religious calendar. Independence Day/Feast of Annunciation: on the 25th of the month, Greeks celebrate both the religious Feast of the Annunciation and the day on which their country was victorious in its fights against the Turks who had occupied the country for four centuries. Easter Sunday: this is the biggest celebration in the country’s religious calendar and a day on which Greek citizens feast on spit-roasted lamb, drink large amounts of red wine and participate in friendly battles with red eggs. Feast of Saint George: observed by the whole country but celebrated with more enthusiasm in a number of towns in the country, the Feast of Saint George is held on the 23rd of the month. Assi Gonia in Crete, celebrates with a sheep shearing competition, Arahova has a three-day non-stop feast while the village of Pili on Kos has horse races followed by dancing and singing. Celebration of the Unification of the Ionian Islands: the island of Corfu celebrates becoming a part of the Ionian Islands with enthusiastic celebrations that see street parades of traditional Greek dancing and singing. June Festivals
The Holiday of Agios Pnevmatos (Holy Spirit): this festival falls on different dates depending on the Orthodox calendar but essentially encompasses the Saturday, Sunday and the Monday (Whit Monday) and is a time for Greek citizens to head for the islands for huge celebrations and parties. Boats are full from the Thursday before and island hotels rapidly booked up.
St John's Day: this nationwide celebration, held in late June, is to commemorate the birth of St John the Baptist. August Festivals
Assumption of the Virgin Mary: this religious festival celebrates the time when it is believed the Virgin Mary was assumed into heaven, having completed all her earthly responsibilities. This is a public holiday across the country. September Festivals
Athens International Film Festival: film buffs the world over make their way to Athens for the annual showcase of feature length movies, film shorts, documentaries and other celluloid productions. There’s everything from Oscar nominated films to one-offs in this popular 10-day long affair. November Festivals
Eisodia Tis Theotokou: held in the middle of the month, this important feast day commemorates the giving of the virgin to the temple. December Festivals
St Nicholas’ Day: as St Nicholas is the patron saint of seafarers, this festival sees seaside churches hold celebrations in homage of this popular religious figure. The festival is held early in the month.
Christmas Day: celebrated enthusiastically and with the appropriate religious consideration. | 
