The Athenian calendar mixes Orthodox religious feasts, national anniversaries and major cultural and sporting events. Movable feasts depend on Orthodox Easter, which follows the Julian calendar and often falls on a different date from Western Easter. See festivals in Greece.
The calendar
| Month | Event |
|---|---|
| January | Epiphany (6 January): blessing of the waters; in Piraeus a priest throws a cross into the sea and young men dive to retrieve it |
| February-March | Carnival (Apokries) with costume parties, and Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera), the first day of Lent: picnics and kites on Philopappos Hill |
| 25 March | Independence Day and Annunciation: military and student parade in the centre |
| March-May | Orthodox Easter: Good Friday processions, the Resurrection at midnight on Holy Saturday with candles and fireworks, lamb on the spit on Sunday |
| May-June | Music festivals and exhibitions, Athens Pride and the start of the open-air cinema season |
| June-August | Athens Epidaurus Festival: ancient and modern theatre, dance and concerts at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus and the theatre of Epidaurus |
| August | The August full moon: some archaeological sites open in the evening with concerts and tours; on 15 August, the Dormition, the city empties |
| September | International film festival and European Heritage Days |
| 28 October | Ochi Day ("No Day"), anniversary of the rejection of Italy's 1940 ultimatum: parades and flags |
| November | Athens Authentic Marathon, second Sunday of the month; 17 November, anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising, with a large march |
| December | Christmas with the tree and village in Syntagma Square, markets and New Year fireworks over the Acropolis |
The Athens Epidaurus Festival
Founded in 1955, it is Greece's most important cultural festival. Its heart is the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the Roman theatre at the foot of the Acropolis, where on summer evenings internationally renowned orchestras, dance companies and singers perform. On July and August weekends ancient tragedies and comedies are staged in the theatre of Epidaurus, about two and a half hours from Athens, with organised buses from the city. Other shows take place in the industrial spaces of Pireos Street. See Greek theatre.
The Authentic Marathon
Every November the Athens Authentic Marathon follows the legendary route: from the town of Marathon, where in 490 BC the Athenians defeated the Persians, to the Panathenaic Stadium, where runners finish. According to tradition, a messenger ran to Athens to announce the victory and died immediately afterwards. The course is demanding, with long climbs, and tens of thousands take part, including runners in the shorter races.
Orthodox Easter
It is the most important feast of the year. On Good Friday processions with the flower-decked epitaphios leave every church; the one on Lycabettus, with candles descending from the chapel of St George, is spectacular. At midnight on Holy Saturday candles are lit from the "holy light", Christos anesti ("Christ is risen") is proclaimed and the fireworks start. On Sunday families roast lamb. Upcoming dates: 2 May 2027 and 16 April 2028. See Easter in Greece.
Tips
- During the 25 March and 28 October parades the centre is closed to traffic and some metro stations may close.
- On the main holidays (Easter, 15 August, Christmas) many sites and museums are closed or have reduced hours.
- Tickets for the Odeon of Herodes Atticus sell out fast: buy as soon as the programme is published, in spring.
See also when to go and national holidays.