Easter, National Anniversary, and The Carnival; 3 Greek Festivals/Holidays You Need to Know

Greece is a country full of joy, tradition, and fun! Throughout the year, families gather to celebrate special holidays with music, dancing, parades, and delicious food. Let’s explore some of the most important and exciting celebrations in Greece that children will love to learn about.

Greek Easter: A Time of Light and Joy

Easter is the most important holiday in Greece. It lasts for seven weeks and ends with a big celebration on Easter Sunday. During the final week, called Holy Week, people go to church every evening. On Good Friday, decorated flower tombs (called Epitaphios) are carried through the streets in peaceful processions.

The biggest celebration happens on Saturday night at midnight. People go to church and wait for the Holy Light. When the priest comes out with a candle, everyone lights their own candle and shares the flame. The whole church glows with light, and fireworks fill the sky! People then take their candles home and draw a cross on their doors with the smoke for good luck.

After that, families enjoy a special soup called magiritsa, made from lamb and herbs. On Sunday, a full lamb is cooked, and there is singing, dancing, and celebration with family and neighbors. Some islands like Corfu and Chios are famous for their extra-special Easter traditions, like fireworks and the burning of Judas.

Ohi Day: A Day of Brave Heroes

Every year on October 28, Greece celebrates Ohi Day, which means “No Day” in Greek. This holiday remembers the time when Greece bravely said “no” to surrendering during World War II. Even though the Greek army was smaller and didn’t have advanced weapons, they stood strong and won many battles.

Children often join school parades and wave Greek flags, and there are big military parades in cities. It’s a day full of pride, history, and honoring the people who protected their country.

Apokries: Greece’s Fun Carnival

Apokries is the Greek version of Carnival! It takes place three weeks before Lent begins. This is a time full of fun costumes, colorful parades, and yummy food. People wear masks and dance in the streets. Kids especially love the silly outfits and parties!

The biggest parades happen in places like Patra, Xanthi, Corfu, and Rethymno. Every year, the exact dates of the Carnival change depending on the date of Easter. But no matter when it happens, Apokries is full of laughter and celebration for the whole family.

Learn More About Greek Traditions with Dinolingo

Want to keep the fun going? With Dinolingo, kids can learn Greek through games, songs, and videos that introduce them to culture, language, and celebrations like Easter and Apokries. Designed for ages 2 to 14, Dinolingo makes learning Greek easy and exciting from anywhere in the world.