Festivals in Greece

Peak summer season on the Greek islands (July-August). Mykonos and Santorini see their highest rates and most crowded beaches. Ferry bookings, hotels, and cars all need early reservations.

Photo by Stefanos Nousias on Pexels

• Beach clubs in Mykonos
• Santorini sunsets
• Acropolis tours (Athens)

Three-week pre-Lenten carnival. Patras hosts Greece's biggest celebration with 50,000 costumed participants in the final Sunday parade. Xanthi in Thrace has unique Pomak cultural elements.

Photo by DESPOINA APOSTOLIDOU on Pexels

• Patras Grand Parade (final Sunday)
• Treasure Hunt street game
• Clean Monday kite flying

Greek Christmas is a 12-day celebration from Dec 25 to Jan 6 (Epiphany/Theofania). Athens' Syntagma Square and Thessaloniki's waterfront fill with lights. Traditional foods: melomakarona (honey-walnut cookies), kourabiedes (almond shortbread) and christopsomo (Christ bread). Kalanda (carollers) visit homes on Christmas morning.

Vouliagmeni (Public domain)

• Athens Syntagma Square Christmas tree
• Thessaloniki Christmas Village
• Melomakarona and kourabiedes cookies

Most important Greek holiday with midnight services, fireworks, and lamb feasts.

Petar Milošević (CC BY-SA 3.0)

• Midnight church services
• Candlelight processions
• Fireworks

Premier arts festival with performances at the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus and Epidaurus theatre.

Zde (CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Ancient theatre of Epidaurus performances
• Odeon of Herodes Atticus concerts
• Greek tragedies and comedies

Greece's largest carnival with elaborate floats, treasure hunts, and the Grand Parade.

ΚΕΔΗΠ-Καρναβάλι Πάτρας (CC BY 4.0)

• Grand Parade with satirical floats
• Treasure hunt through the city
• Bourboulia masked ball

11-day international film festival held every November since 1960. Southeast Europe's most important film event, with 200+ films across historic theaters in central Thessaloniki.

Filmfestivalgr (CC BY-SA 4.0)

• Opening and closing galas
• Greek premieres
• Warehouse C on the waterfront