Greece has a short list of public holidays, but they matter more than in most countries. Banks close, ferries fill up, archaeological sites shut or change hours, and Greeks themselves travel in huge numbers. This guide gives exact dates for 2026 and 2027, explains what is open and closed, and flags the dates most likely to disrupt a trip.
Greece public holidays 2026 and 2027
Fixed-date holidays fall on the same calendar day every year. The Easter-linked holidays follow the Orthodox calendar, which often differs from Western Easter. We checked the 2026 and 2027 moveable dates against several published holiday calendars (as of October 2026).
| Holiday | Greek name | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Protochronia | Thu 1 Jan | Fri 1 Jan |
| Epiphany | Theofania | Tue 6 Jan | Wed 6 Jan |
| Clean Monday | Kathara Deftera | Mon 23 Feb | Mon 15 Mar |
| Independence Day | 25 Martiou | Wed 25 Mar | Thu 25 Mar |
| Orthodox Good Friday | Megali Paraskevi | Fri 10 Apr | Fri 30 Apr |
| Orthodox Easter Sunday | Pascha | Sun 12 Apr | Sun 2 May |
| Easter Monday | Deftera tou Pascha | Mon 13 Apr | Mon 3 May |
| Labour Day | Protomagia | Fri 1 May | Sat 1 May |
| Holy Spirit Monday | Agiou Pnevmatos | Mon 1 Jun | Mon 21 Jun |
| Assumption | Dekapentavgoustos | Sat 15 Aug | Sun 15 Aug |
| Ohi Day | Ohi | Wed 28 Oct | Thu 28 Oct |
| Christmas Day | Christougenna | Fri 25 Dec | Sat 25 Dec |
| Synaxis of the Theotokos | Defteri Imera | Sat 26 Dec | Sun 26 Dec |
Two cautions. First, Labour Day is the holiday that most often moves. When 1 May coincides with Easter week, as it does in 2027 (it falls on Holy Saturday), the government sometimes shifts the observed day, so confirm closer to the date. Second, Greece does not routinely move holidays that land on weekends, so 15 August 2026 and 2027 simply fall on a weekend.
Many Greeks also treat Holy Saturday and Pentecost Sunday as quiet days even though they are not formal public holidays.
What closes on a public holiday
Banks and public offices. These close on every public holiday. Cash machines keep working, but top up before a long weekend, especially on islands where machines run dry around Easter and mid-August. For more on cash, see our Greece currency and money guide.
Shops. Department stores, clothing shops and most independent stores close on the big holidays: 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday, 1 May, 28 October and 25 December. Supermarkets usually close too, though small minimarkets and tourist-area shops on islands often stay open. Shopping hours shrink on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
Restaurants and cafes. Tavernas stay open on most holidays and are often busier. Easter Sunday is a family lunch day, so many places serve a lamb-on-the-spit menu and take bookings only. Expect shorter hours on 25 December and 1 January evening.
Archaeological sites and museums. The Ministry of Culture closes state-run sites, including the Acropolis, on 1 January, 25 March, Orthodox Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December and 26 December. On Good Friday and Holy Saturday sites typically open late and close early, and on Ohi Day and 25 March entrance is often free or limited. Always check the official ticketing page for the exact day.
Public transport. Athens Metro, buses and trams run reduced Sunday-style schedules on most holidays and may stop earlier on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Intercity KTEL buses and trains run reduced timetables. The Athens airport express bus and Metro line 3 keep running, but check times.
Ferries and flights. Flights operate normally, but ferries are the pressure point. See the next section.
The most disruptive holidays for travelers
1. Orthodox Easter week (10-13 April 2026, 30 April-3 May 2027). This is the biggest travel peak of the year for Greeks. Athens empties, islands fill, ferry tickets sell out days ahead, and car rental prices spike. Good Friday evening has the Epitaphios processions, Holy Saturday midnight has the Anastasi service and fireworks, and Easter Sunday is shut down almost everywhere. Our Easter in Greece guide covers where to celebrate, and the Orthodox Easter 2027 news page has the week-by-week timeline.
2. 15 August (Assumption). The country’s summer peak. Islands such as Tinos, Paros and Naxos hold major festivals, ferries are fully booked, and accommodation prices rise. Book boats and rooms two months ahead if you plan to be on an island this weekend.
3. 1 May plus Easter overlap. In 2027 Labour Day falls on Holy Saturday, so the whole stretch from 30 April to 3 May is effectively one long closure for banks, offices and many shops.
4. Christmas and New Year (24 December-6 January). Many islands go quiet, some hotels and restaurants close for the winter, and ferry frequency drops. Athens and Thessaloniki stay lively, with fewer closures in the city centre.
5. Clean Monday. The first day of Orthodox Lent (23 February 2026, 15 March 2027) is a day of kite flying and outdoor picnics, with shops, banks and offices closed. Beaches and parks near Athens, such as Philopappou Hill, fill with families, and bakeries sell lagana bread. It is a good cultural day to be out, but not a day for errands.
6. Ohi Day (28 October). National parades take place in Thessaloniki and across the country, with school processions and flag displays. Government offices, banks and most museums close, and some centre roads are blocked. See our Ohi Day 2026 notes for event details.
Planning around the holidays
- Book ferries early. For Easter, 15 August and the 1 May weekend, reserve at least two to three weeks ahead, and earlier for car ferries. Our getting around Greece guide explains how to compare routes.
- Carry cash. Small tavernas, island bakeries and local taxis may not take cards, and ATMs run low before long weekends.
- Check site hours. Archaeological site closures on public holidays catch many visitors out. A guided slot in advance, such as an Athens tour, can lock in an entry time on a nearby open day.
- Shop ahead. Buy groceries and pharmacy items the day before a major holiday. Pharmacies run a rota, and a duty pharmacy is posted on every door.
- Consider the upside. Holidays reward flexible travelers: Easter on Corfu, Epiphany water-blessing ceremonies at ports on 6 January, and 15 August festivals are experiences you cannot get at other times.
Dates can shift if the government announces a change, so recheck the official Ministry of Labour calendar for the year you travel. If you are choosing a travel month rather than a specific day, our best time to visit Greece page covers weather, crowds and prices month by month.