National holidays

National holidays

Here is an overview of the main holidays in Crete. These are primarily national Greek holidays, but they are also celebrated on Crete with local customs and traditions:

National Holidays in Greece (also on Crete)

  1. New Year's Day (Πρωτοχρονιά – Protochronia)
    • Date: January 1
    • Tradition: A day for family and friends, often with the cutting of the Vasilopita cake, which contains a hidden coin for luck.
       
  2. Epiphany (Θεοφάνεια – Theofania)
    • Date: January 6
    • Tradition: Blessing of the waters by priests; crosses are thrown into the water, and swimmers try to retrieve them.
       
  3. Greek Independence Day and Annunciation Feast (Ευαγγελισμός – Evangelismos)
    • Date: March 25
    • Significance: Celebration of the start of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottomans (1821).
       
  4. Good Friday (Μεγάλη Παρασκευή – Megali Paraskevi)
    • Date: variable (Orthodox calendar)
    • Tradition: Processions through villages and towns, often by candlelight.
       
  5. Orthodox Easter (Πάσχα – Pascha)
    • Date: variable (Orthodox calendar)
    • The most important religious holiday in Greece. On Holy Saturday at midnight, the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated, followed by traditional feasts with lamb on Easter Sunday.
       
  6. Labor Day (Εργατική Πρωτομαγιά – Ergatiki Protomagia)
    • Date: May 1
    • Tradition: Excursions into nature and picking flowers to make wreaths.
       
  7. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου – Koimisi tis Theotokou)
    • Date: August 15
    • Significance: One of the most important feasts of the Orthodox Church, with processions and celebrations in many villages.
       
  8. Ochi Day (Επέτειος του Όχι – Epeteios tou Ochi)
    • Date: October 28
    • Significance: A commemoration of Greece's refusal to accept the Italian ultimatum in 1940. Parades and remembrance ceremonies take place.
       
  9. Christmas (Χριστούγεννα – Christougenna)
    • Date: December 25
    • Tradition: Family gatherings, church services, and festive meals.
       
  10. Boxing Day
    • Date: December 26

Regional and Local Holidays on Crete

  1. Crete Independence Day (Ημέρα της Ανεξαρτησίας της Κρήτης)
    • Date: November 8
    • Significance: A remembrance of Crete's independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1898.
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  2. Battle of Crete (Μάχη της Κρήτης – Machi tis Kritis)
    • Date: May 20
    • Significance: A commemoration of the Cretan resistance against the German occupation during World War II.
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  3. Religious Village Festivals (Panigyria)
    • Many villages celebrate their patron saints with processions, music, and traditional food.
    • Examples:
      • Agios Titos (August 15 in Heraklion)
      • Agios Minas (November 11, Patron Saint of Heraklion)

The holidays in Crete offer a blend of national and regional traditions. Particularly the Orthodox celebrations like Easter and the Panigyria play a significant role in shaping the island’s cultural identity and invite visitors to experience the lively Cretan culture firsthand.