New Year’s Day (Πρωτοχρονιά, 1 January) marks the beginning of the year in Greece. Families gather for festive lunches, exchange wishes, and share the traditional vasilopita - a cake with a hidden coin symbolizing luck for the year ahead. Cities host fireworks and church bells ring to welcome the new year.

Epiphany (Θεοφάνεια, 6 January) celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ. The highlight of the day is the Blessing of the Waters, where priests throw a cross into the sea, rivers, or lakes, and swimmers dive in to retrieve it for good fortune. It’s a deeply spiritual day celebrated across Greece, especially in coastal towns.

Clean Monday (Καθαρά Δευτέρα) marks the beginning of Lent, forty days before Easter. Families enjoy picnics outdoors, eating fasting foods like lagana bread, olives, and taramosalata, while children fly kites. It’s a day of renewal, cleansing, and the joy of spring’s arrival.

Annunciation (Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου, 25 March) celebrates the Archangel Gabriel’s message to the Virgin Mary. In Greece it often coincides with Independence Day, so churches hold festal liturgies while the country celebrates its national rebirth. Many people enjoy fish on this day even during Lent, making it a joyful break in the fasting period.

Labour Day (Πρωτομαγιά, 1 May) is celebrated with flowers, picnics, and demonstrations. Wreaths of wildflowers are hung on doors, and cities host parades honoring workers’ rights. It’s also seen as a welcoming of spring’s beauty.

Good Friday (Μεγάλη Παρασκευή) is one of the most solemn days of the Orthodox calendar. Churches are filled with hymns of mourning as the Epitaphios, a symbolic bier of Christ, is carried through the streets in candlelit processions.

Easter Sunday (Κυριακή του Πάσχα) is the most celebrated day in Greece. Families roast lamb on a spit, crack red eggs symbolizing Christ’s resurrection, and gather for joyous feasts filled with music, wine, and laughter. At midnight the previous night, churches proclaim 'Christos Anesti' - 'Christ is Risen' - with fireworks lighting the sky.

Easter Monday continues the joyful celebrations of the Resurrection. Many Greeks visit relatives or enjoy countryside feasts, still savoring the festive atmosphere of the season.

Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή) is the feast of the Holy Spirit in the Orthodox Church, celebrated fifty days after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and is marked with green decorations, prayers for renewal, and large liturgies. In Greece it is followed by Holy Spirit Monday, giving people a two-day festive period.

Holy Spirit Monday (Δευτέρα του Αγίου Πνεύματος) is celebrated fifty days after Easter, marking Pentecost. It’s both a religious and public holiday when churches honor the Holy Spirit, and families often spend the day resting or enjoying nature.

Assumption Day (Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου, 15 August) is one of Greece’s most important religious holidays, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Pilgrims flock to Tinos and other islands, churches hold grand liturgies, and villages celebrate with feasts, music, and dance - often called 'the summer Easter'.

Ochi Day (Επέτειος του Όχι, 28 October) commemorates Greece’s defiance of Mussolini’s ultimatum in 1940. The word 'Ochi' means 'No'. Military parades, flags, and patriotic songs fill the streets, celebrating courage and national unity.

Christmas Day (Χριστούγεννα, 25 December) is celebrated with family gatherings, midnight church services, and festive meals featuring pork, sweets like melomakarona and kourabiedes, and decorated boats - a traditional Greek symbol of the holiday season.

Pentecost (Πεντηκοστή) is the feast of the Holy Spirit in the Orthodox Church, celebrated fifty days after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and is marked with green decorations, prayers for renewal, and large liturgies. In Greece it is followed by Holy Spirit Monday, giving people a two-day festive period.