Kathara Deftera 2027 (Clean Monday): Date, Traditions & Where to Celebrate

Clean Monday - known in Greek as Kathara Deftera (Καθαρά Δευτέρα) - falls on 15 March 2027. It is one of Greece’s most joyful public holidays: the official start of Orthodox Lent, celebrated outdoors with kites, food, and family gatherings.

What Happens on Clean Monday

Families head to parks and open hillsides to fly kites - a tradition symbolising the spirit rising above earthly things. Athens fills Filopappou Hill and the National Garden with kite flyers from early morning.

The food served on Clean Monday is strictly Lenten: lagana (a flat sesame-topped bread baked only on this day), taramasalata, olives, octopus, squid, mussels, and other shellfish. Meat and dairy are avoided - it is the first day of the Orthodox fast.

Where to Celebrate

• Athens: Filopappou Hill is the traditional kite-flying spot, with views across to the Acropolis. Tavernas across the city serve Lenten mezedes throughout the day.
• Galaxidi: This small coastal town hosts a famous flour war - locals and visitors pelt each other with coloured flour in a tradition unique to Galaxidi. It gets messy.
• Thessaloniki: City parks and the seafront fill with families from morning; open-air restaurants serve lagana and seafood.
• Greek islands: Lower-key but widespread - local beaches and windswept headlands fill with kite flyers, especially on Crete and Rhodes.

Practical Notes

• Clean Monday is a public holiday: banks, government offices, and most shops are closed.
• Supermarkets and restaurants typically open; bakeries sell lagana from early morning.
• It follows the end of Apokries (the Greek Carnival season), which peaks on the Saturday and Sunday before Clean Monday.

Clean Monday Dates

Year	Kathara Deftera
2026	23 February 2026
2027	15 March 2027
2028	14 February 2028

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kathara Deftera a public holiday in Greece?
Yes. Clean Monday is an official public holiday in Greece. Banks, government offices, schools, and most shops close. Supermarkets, bakeries, and most restaurants open, often from early morning to cater to the day’s celebrations.

What do Greeks eat on Clean Monday?
The Clean Monday table is strictly Lenten: lagana (a flat sesame-topped bread baked only on this day), taramasalata, fava, olives, olives, octopus, squid, mussels, and shellfish. Meat and dairy are avoided. Halva (sesame paste) and tahini are also traditional. The lagana bread is central — sold by every bakery in Greece from the morning, and not available on any other day of the year.

Can visitors join the Clean Monday celebrations?
Completely open event — there are no ticketed areas or restrictions. The kite-flying at Filopappou Hill in Athens is particularly accessible: arrive from 10am, bring your own kite or buy one from street vendors, and join the crowds on the hill. The Galaxidi flour war requires more advance planning as transport to the small town fills up, but it is open to all.

Is the Galaxidi flour war suitable for children?
Yes, with some caveats. Children over around 5–6 enjoy it and the coloured flour washes out easily. Eye protection is useful; bring it from home as it is not always available locally. Galaxidi is a small town (population around 2,000) that receives many times that number on Clean Monday — arriving early and planning transport in advance is essential.

How do I get from Athens to Galaxidi for the flour war?
Galaxidi is approximately 200km west of Athens, roughly 2.5 hours by car via the E94. There is no direct train or public bus to Galaxidi on Clean Monday. Renting a car or joining an organised day trip from Athens is the practical approach. Some travel agencies in Athens run specific Galaxidi flour war day trips in the weeks before the event.