We have compiled a list of the dates of some of the most important Greek holidays and festivals for 2007, but please note that these may be subject to change. In addition to the numerous Saints’ days each region also has its own local festivals. Details of these will be given in your Villa Information book in resort.
| 22 – 29 April |
Easter week – this is the biggest celebration in the Greek Orthodox calendar, when fasting occurs for a week and churches usually stay open |
| 25 April |
Greek Orthodox Good Friday. Local people carry candles and follow the procession of the Epitath through the towns and villages. |
| 26 April |
Midnight mass is held, and then the fast is broken with a traditional supper |
| 27 April |
Greek Orthodox Easter. In Crete you will find many villages preparing for the bonfire effigy of Judas Iscariot. |
| 28 April |
Greek Orthodox Easter Monday. |
| 1 May |
Labour Day and the Feast of the Flowers. There is a general exodus to the countryside for picnics. |
| 20 – 27 May |
Battle of Crete: the anniversary of this famous battle is celebrated in Chania and in a different local village each year. Many sporting events, folk dancing and special ceremonies, with veterans from the battle, take place all over the island. |
| 21 May |
Ionian Day: the celebration of the unification of the Ionian Islands with the rest of Greece takes place on the island of Corfu with marches, wreath laying, fly-pasts and much military pageantry. This is also the Saints’ days of Ayios Konstandinos and Ayia Eleni and is therefore the most celebrated name day in Greece. |
| 24 June |
Ithaca: a large festivity is held in honour of Agios Ioannis (Saint John) on the 24th of June also in the village of Frikes, with dances, music and a huge banquet |
| 29 June |
Paxos: traditional Festival dedicated to St Gaios |
| 17 July |
Ithaca: a large fiesta is held in the village of Exoghi in the main square of the village behind the church of the same name, in honour of Saint Marina. |
| Jul – Aug |
Ithaca: a cultural festival takes place in the capital, Vathy or Ithaca town, every summer (since 1975), with concerts, plays, cultural debates and art works of various Greek artists. |
| 5 – 6 Aug |
Ithaca: The biggest festival of the island of Ithaca is the festival of Sotiros (the Saviour) which take place all around the island, for two whole days, on the 5th and 6th of August, with food, wine, music and dances and a lot of fun. |
| 14 Aug |
Ithaca: festival of Virgin Mary in the village of Anoghi |
| 15 Aug |
Ithaca: the largest religious celebration of the year in honour of the Madonna, celebrated all night long in the village of Platrithias, followed by a special service in the remote church of Panaghia’s in Marmakas. |
| 15 Aug |
Corfu: St Spiridon Saints day and a public holiday. The patron Saint of Corfu is paraded around Corfu Town. |
| 16
Aug |
Cephalonia: a celebration of Agios Gerassimos, saint patron of the island, takes place every 16th of August and 20th of October in the town of Argostoli during which litanies are held in honour of the saint and the coffin of Agios Gerassimos is taken under the old plane tree of the monastery, which is supposed to have been planted by the saint himself. |
| 24 Aug |
Zakynthos: St Dionysios’ Day, when the body of the patron saint of the island is taken out of the church in Zante town and paraded around the streets in a glass coffin. |
| End Aug |
Cephalonia: International Music Festival of Argostoli, with both Greek and international artists performing around the town |
| July – Aug |
Crete: in July the town of Rethymnon has its wine festival. The Heraklion Wine Festival takes place from July until September and also includes some of Greece’s most popular musicians as well as theatrical performances. |
| Jul – Sept |
Crete: the Chania Summer Festival fills the town with a rich and varied programme including concerts, chess evenings, ballet performance, Shakespeare, traditional Cretan dancing and music. The organisers claim that this year's event tops them all, with collaborations from the Odessa State Opera and Ballet Theatre |
| Aug – Sept |
Paxos: Music Festival, which lasts for about one week. Although specific dates are yet to be confirmed further information about this festival can be found on www.paxosfestival.org.uk Dates to be confirmed. |
| 7 – 8 Sep |
Ithaca: the famous celebration of love in the nunnery of Kathara (Panaghia Kathariotisa) |
| 28 Oct |
Oxi Day (‘No Day’- celebrated throughout all of Greece) commemorates Prime Minister Metaxas’ one-word reply to Mussolini’s ultimatum in 1940. It is a celebration of the Greek refusal to let Italy occupy the country during the Second World War. The Italians invaded and were driven back into Albania almost as far as Italy. There are military parades in the major towns and cities. |
