Greece offers many holidays, celebrations and festivals. For instance, each church is devoted to a certain saint and so there are many Saint’s days throughout the year in Greece. Each saint has a day just for him and is then celebrated with a festival called a Panagiri where a religious service also takes place.

Just like we celebrate our birthday with a celebration, in Greece those with the same name as the saints day, will celebrate on that day as well.  Next time you take holidays in Greece, you need only ask a local when the next papagiri is and if you are still in town on that date, you can join in the festivities. In January, the island of Andros has a special New Years celebrations and at Polidastor which is near Kilkis, there is a celebration of folkloric fancy dress in this month also.

In April in the town of Megara, near Athens, the local women will dress in traditional outfits and dance the fisherman’s Trata. Also in April, on the 15th, is Leonidas name day, the 24th is Elizabeth’s name day and the 25th is Stain Markos name day. June 21st is the summer solstice. This will be three days of music in Athens with live shows in every square.