Public Holidays 2025 in Greece

Here are the holidays in Greece. Make a note of this before you plan your trip, because on these days, few things are open.

If you’re visiting, be aware that :

• Museums, archaeological sites and monuments will be closed or open and free of charge (on October 28 for example).
• You may also find that most stores and government offices are closed.
• As far as transportation is concerned, it generally works, but often at a slower pace. If you have to go to the airport or Piraeus on those days, you may want to consider booking a cab.

January 1, 2025: the new year

The Greeks celebrate the passage to the new year on December 31 evening. But the real holiday is January 1st. On this occasion, families usually get together for a good meal. Some taverns are open, but we strongly recommend that you make reservations. Please note that January 2 is also a public holiday.

To know the traditions of the end of the year, follow the link below.

January 6, 2025: Epiphany

Epiphany is an important day for the Greeks. It is a very popular ceremony in the Orthodox churches.

To know the traditions of the end of the year, follow the link below. And to know everything about the Epiphany, it’s here.

March 3, 2025: Pure Monday

Pure Monday marks the entry into the Lenten season of the Orthodox Easter. It is a holiday; traditionally we do not eat meat, fish or eggs. It is an opportunity to taste octopus, squid, tarama and vegetarian mezzes in the tavern. On this occasion, the Greeks make flying deer of all colors in the sky.

The month before Pure Monday is the month of Carnival. We are preparing for the Lent by bombing, these are the Apokries.

March 25, 2025: national holiday

March 25 is a holiday in Greece; it marks the beginning of the Greek uprising against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. For nine years, the Greeks will lead the war of independence. It was not until the London Conference in 1830 that the creation of the Greek state was proclaimed. Many parades take place in the streets and flags are distributed everywhere.

The demonstrations and festivities planned for March 25 in Athens.

April 18, 19, 20, 21, 2025: Easter

During the Holy Week, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday are public holidays in Greece. Fridays are rather sad and marked by pious religious ceremonies with little festivity. On the other hand, Sundays and Mondays are real feast days, giving rise to numerous events and culinary traditions. Shops, sites and museums are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Some restaurants are open on Easter Sunday in Greece.

To know all the Easter traditions in Greece

May 1, 2025: Labor Day

As in many countries, the Labor Day is May 1st in Greece. But this date also announces the beautiful days and the arrival of Spring, the Greeks often take advantage of it to go out in the hinterland, to pick flowers and to picnic.

June 9, 2025: Whit Monday

50 days after Easter, this religious festival celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, who began to speak all languages. The religious festivities begin on Friday.

August 15, 2025: the Assumption of the Virgin Mary

It is a religious festival celebrating the ascension of the Virgin Mary to heaven. It is venerated in Greece and many pilgrimages take place throughout Greece. One of the most famous is that of Tinos.

Events and festivities on August 15 in Greece.

October 28, 2025: Ochi Day – the day of no

October 28 is one of the most symbolic holidays in Greece. Indeed, on October 28, 1940, Italy had set an ultimatum to Greece. This one imposed to Greece to accept the occupation by the Italian army of certain strategic places. Ioánnis Metaxás would have answered “no” (“ochi” in Greek). This refusal led to Greece’s participation in the Second World War.

To know the program of October 28 in Athens.

December 25 and 26, 2025: Christmas

Although Christmas is not the most important religious holiday in Greece (Easter is more celebrated), both the 25th and the 26th of December are public holidays. During these two days, Greece is in slow motion. This marks the beginning of the vacations which will end after January 6 (Epiphany).

To know the traditions of the end of the year, follow the link below.

Sophie B.