Important Greek holidays

Greek holidays are incredibly important to the Greeks. Where we in the Netherlands attach less and less value to certain holidays, the holidays are still very important to the Greeks. Below is a list of the official Greek holidays. Please note that on these holidays government institutions and (most) supermarkets are closed.

Griekse feestdagen 2023

January 1st – New Year

January 6th – Three Kings

February 27th – Ash Monday

March 25 – Independence Day

April 14 – Great Friday (Good Friday)

April 16 – Greek Orthodox Easter

April 17- Greek Orthodox Easter

May 1 – Labor Day

June 28 – Whit Sunday

June 29 – Whit Sunday

Aug. 15 – Assumption of Mary

October 28 – Ochi day

December 25 – Christmas Day

December 26 – Christmas Day

Greek name days

In addition to Greek holidays, Greeks also celebrate name days. In fact, in Greece – unlike the Netherlands – they do not celebrate your birthday but your name day. Most Greeks have been given a Greek Orthodox name. This name derives from a saint and every saint’s name is honored on a certain day. For example, I (Athina) also have a Greek Orthodox name. The name Athina is celebrated on September 1 along with the holy names Charilika, Meletios, Marianthi, Pinelopi and Simeon. So in Greece, you celebrate your name day with all the other people who have the same name as yours and congratulate each other. These name days are often celebrated in the church or village to which that saint’s name is linked and are often accompanied by lots of food and drink.

By the way, Greeks also always celebrate the 1st of each month. They then wish you a good month and say “Kalo Mina.”