The Greek calendar is full of festivals worth planning around. Orthodox dates move each year, so check locally.
February to March (dates vary). Greece's pre Lenten carnival, at its wildest in Patras with huge parades and floats.
Photo: Geokots, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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April or early May, dates vary (2027: 30 April to 3 May). The most important holiday of the year, with candlelit processions, midnight fireworks and Sunday lamb on the spit. Corfu's is the most famous.
Photo: Takeaway (en.wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0 (also offered under GFDL), via Wikimedia Commons
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June to August. Ancient theatre and music at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens and the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
Festival ticketsPhoto: Julian Lupyan, CC0 1.0 (public domain dedication), via Wikimedia Commons
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15 August (Dekapentavgoustos). A major religious holiday with island festivals everywhere; the Tinos pilgrimage is the most famous.
Photo: Mstyslav Chernov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Early September. A reenacted naval battle and fireworks in the harbour.
Photo: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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28 October. A national day marked by military and school parades across the country.
Photo: Chrischerf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Leave a reviewThree village chestnut festivals in Arcadia and western Crete, by date. Read on 4 Oct 2026; each card names its source.
Festival
Γιορτή Κάστανου
The best known chestnut festival in Crete takes over the village of Elos in the west of the island, with roasted chestnuts, raki and Cretan music.
Dates from news reports; confirm on the official page before you go.
Sources voltarakia.gr
Festival
42η Γιορτή Κάστανου
A mountain village in Arcadia throws open its lanes for two days of roast chestnuts, local food, music and dancing, with a children's corner and guided walks through the chestnut woods.
Dates from the organiser’s own listing, seen as a search engine copy.
Sources visitgreece.gr astrosnews.gr
Festival
5η Γιορτή Κάστανου στον Κοσμά
A weekend chestnut fair in the mountain village of Kosmas that is timed to the feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, mixing church tradition with local food and music.
Dates from news reports; confirm on the official page before you go.
Sources arcadiaportal.gr leonidion.gr
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