Top Festivals & Events in Greece

The heart of the Mediterranean and home to countless mythical legends, Greece offers the perfect mix of historical wonders and coastline littered with beaches and sandy bays. With the bustling cities of Athens and Thessaloniki to keep you engaged, and the limitless supply of ancient ruins to explore, you’d be forgiven for thinking this sums up Greece. To enable you to see a different side to this diverse country, we have compiled a list of the most important festivals and events in Greece to give you a taste of real Grecian culture. The streets are awash with military parades and festivities on Independence Day held on March 25th. Celebrating the end of Ottoman occupation, this day also marks the Feast of the Annunciation, with the churches playing host to a variety of revelries. April 25th denotes Orthodox Easter, the most important celebration of the Greek Orthodox faith. A combination of firework displays and candlelit processions can be seen during this time. Over the summer, held every Friday and Saturday evening, classical Greek drama is played out at the Epidaurus Festival. The plays can be seen between June 1st and August 31st each year. rnVisit Greece on May 1st and the merriments for the public holiday Labour Day are sure to capture your imagination. Parades are common in most cities across Greece, although it is traditional for Grecians to flock to the countryside and enjoy the height of spring. Car hire in Greece is the perfect way to join in with this convention and take a trip to the more rural parts of Greece. Around Greece, but especially in Thessaloniki, Saint Demetrius who was known as a protector of the city is commemorated from May 21st – 23rd. The Feast Day of Saint Demetrius generally coincides with the first yield of wine for the year, so relax and join in the festivities. A tradition dating back to 1250, the Anastenaria Firewalking Festival held from May 21st – 23rd starts with holy images being exhibited throughout the towns and villages of Greece, with a sheep then being chosen for sacrifice. The firewalkers dance until they achieve a trance-like state, then running over the remaining embers. Feasts are then common, lasting to the early hours. Music Day, traditionally held on the day of the summer solstice is a huge event dedicated to music from across Europe, showcasing everyone from professional to amateur. Athens tends to be the hub for this, with the event turning into a three day long party. The birthplace of the marathon, Athens holds a race on October 31st along the same time-honoured marathon route with a distance of 26 miles and 385 yards. rnWith an array of traditional events and festivities scheduled, there are some great reasons to take a short break to Greece, or include these in your itineraries for a longer holiday. Car hire Greece will open up this distinct and culture laden European treasure.