The following is a list of public holidays in Greece when almost everything (public services, shops, etc.) is closed.
January 1 : New Year's Day (national holiday)
January 6 : Epiphany (Theofánia, national holiday)
The celebration of Christ's baptism by St. John the Baptis gives rise to long processions during the day which conclude at the seafront with a sanctification ceremony, during which the faithful drop a crucifix into the water.
Clean Monday (11 March 2019): The celebration date changes every year. It is a day of fasting for Christians marking the beginning of Lent for the orthodox church as well as the ending of the Carnival season.
March 25 : Independence Day (national holiday)
Anniversary of the revolution of 1821. Double celebration for Greeks, as the national revolution against the Turks in 1821, as well as the Annunciation of Virgin Mary, the announcement of the happy news by Archangel Gabriel to Mariam regarding the birth of Jesus Christ, are both celebrated on this day. S
April/May (date set according to the Julian calendar) : Greek Orthodox Easter (, national holiday)
Easter is considered even more important than Christmas and attracts crowds in the streets of Thessaloniki. The celebration includes processions, masses and traditional fasting meals during this holy week.
Páskha 2019:
- Good Friday (26 April): The day commemorating Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
- Holy Saturday (27 April): The last day of Holy Week and of Lent. At midnight the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated.
- Easter Sunday (28 April): The most important Christian celebration, celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.
- Easter Monday (29 April): The second day of Easter.
International Workers day (1 May): Dedicated to the Chicago workers riot in May 1886 demanding an 8-hour work day and better working conditions.
Dormition of Virgin Mary (15 August): One of the most important orthodox celebrations, celebrating the passing and burial of Virgin Mary, with glorious ceremonies in many parts of Greece.
St Dimitrios Memorial Day/Thessaloniki's Liberation from the Ottoman Rule Day (26 October): St Dimitrios is Thessaloniki's patron saint and his memorial day also marks the celebrations of the city's liberation from the Ottomans in 1912.
"No" Day (28 October): On this day the Greeks celebrate dictator Ioannis Metaxas's refusal, on 28th October 1940, regarding Italian claims, leading to Greece taking part in WWII.
Christmas (25 December): One of the most glorious celebration of Christianity, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Synaxis of Theotokos (26 December): Second day of Christmas and celebration of Synaxis of Theotokos, congregation of all believers to honour the Mother of our Saviour.