AUGUST 2010
15th - The Assumption of the Virgin. This is THE most important holiday of the summer so everything is packed and everyone (practically) is having their summer holidays. If you want to be doing anything around this period, make sure you book early (transport, rooms, meals etc).

SEPTEMBER 2010
The Bouboulina festival is held on Spetses island to commemorate her role in the war against the Turks. Speeches, exploding boats, fireworks - GOOD STUFF!

OCTOBER 2010

28th - Ochi Day, the top students are flagbearers in parades all over the country, great national pride, stirring speeches, loud anthems, an all round good show.

A word about holidays in Greece - Regional festivals, art exhibitions, cultural events, musical and theatrical performances are plentiful during the summer months - we love any excuse to celebrate! Notices are usually posted in public places - bakeries, bus shelters, hotel reception areas, telephone poles etc. The Greek Orthodox Calendar is different to the Catholic (hence different dates for Easter) and some of the holidays I've mentioned are moveable which is why I've not given fixed dates. Name Days/Saints Days are mostly celebrated by family and friends gathering for a meal together although some of the more important ones are also national holidays. Everyone in Greece has a 'Name Day' or Saint's Day as well as their birthday (unless their folks named them after the Saint on whose day they were born) and there are too many to list one by one.