Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Month by Month
TOP EVENTS
Eastterr, April
Helle
HelleniicFesttiivaal, June to August
Carrniivaal, February
TThessalo
aloniiki In
i Intterrnattiional F
al Film F
ilm Festtiivaal, November
Auuguust Mo
t Moon F
n Festtiivaal, August
January
Most of the islands are snoozing during the winter months. However, the
capital and surrounding mainland is awake and welcomes visitors with fest-
ivals that aren't really aimed at tourists. Expect local insight and warmth
from hospitality (rather than the sun).
Feast of Agios Vasilios (St Basil)
The first day of January sees a busy church ceremony followed by gifts, singing, dancing
and feasting. The
vasilopita
(golden glazed cake for New Year's Eve) is cut; if you're for-
tunate enough to get the slice containing a coin, you'll supposedly have a lucky year.
Epiphany (Blessing of the Waters)
The day of Christ's baptism by St John is celebrated throughout Greece on 6 January.
Seas, lakes and rivers are all blessed, with the largest ceremony held at Piraeus.
Gynaikokratia
The villages of the prefectures of Rodopi, Kilkis and Seres in Northern Greece hold a day
of role reversal on 8 January. Women spend the day in
kafeneia
(coffee houses) while the
men stay at home to do the housework.
