Festivals and Celebrations in the Peloponnese 2027: Month-by-Month Calendar
Planning a trip around a festival is one of the best ways to see the real Greece. Here are the main celebrations in the Peloponnese and around Athens in 2027, month by month, with our guides, trip ideas and private transfers for each one. Where the official 2027 dates are not announced yet, we say so.
January – Epiphany and winter in the mountains
On 6 January (Epiphany) priests bless the waters in every harbour and a cross is thrown into the sea. January and February are also the season for snow in the mountains of Arcadia and Kalavryta. See: Christmas & New Year in mainland Greece · Skiing in the Peloponnese · Arcadia in autumn & winter
March – Patras Carnival, Clean Monday and 25 March
The Patras Carnival, the biggest in Greece, ends with the night parade on Saturday 13 March and the Grand Parade on Sunday 14 March 2027. The next day, Monday 15 March, is Clean Monday, with kites, picnics and the flour war of Galaxidi. On Thursday 25 March Greece celebrates Independence Day with parades in every town – especially moving in the places where the revolution of 1821 began. See: Patras Carnival 2027 guide · Patras Carnival weekend from Athens · Clean Monday 2027 · 25 March – the 1821 trail · 25 March in Nafplio & Arcadia – 4 days
April–May – Greek Easter
In 2027 Greek Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday 2 May. Good Friday (30 April) brings candlelit processions, Holy Saturday the midnight Resurrection service with fireworks, and Easter Sunday lamb on the spit in every village. On Easter night in Leonidio, hundreds of paper hot-air balloons (aerostata) are released into the sky. See: Greek Easter 2027 in the Peloponnese · Easter in an Arcadian village – 4 days · Leonidio guide
June–August – Epidaurus and summer festivals
From June to August the ancient theatre of Epidaurus hosts ancient drama on Friday and Saturday nights as part of the Athens Epidaurus Festival; the 2027 programme is usually announced in spring. July brings the Kalamata International Dance Festival, and every village celebrates its saint with music and dancing. See: Epidaurus Festival guide · Argolida travel guide · Athens – Epidaurus transfer
15 August – the Dormition of the Virgin Mary
Sunday 15 August 2027 is the biggest summer holiday in Greece, with church feasts, village fairs (panigyria) and live music late into the night, especially in the mountain villages of Arcadia. See: 15 August & summer festivals 2027
September–October – harvest and Navarinia 200 years
September is grape harvest time in Nemea and Mantinia. In October the mountains turn golden, and on 20 October 2027 Pylos celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Navarino with ceremonies and a re-enactment in the bay – a once-in-a-lifetime edition of the Navarinia. See: Navarinia festival guide · Navarinia 2027 – 3 days in Pylos · Mantinia & Nemea wine day trip · Messinia travel guide
November–December – olive harvest and Christmas
From November the olive harvest begins all over the Peloponnese, and in December the towns and mountain villages prepare for Christmas, with lights, markets and fireplaces. See: Christmas in the Arcadian villages · Christmas in Nafplio – 3 days · New Year in Monemvasia & Mystras
Getting to the festivals
On festival days hotels fill early and buses are full. Book your stay in good time and let a private driver take you there and back – no parking, no driving after a long night. See all our private transfer routes and our partner hotels.
Frequently asked questions
When is Greek Easter in 2027?
Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday is on 2 May 2027. Good Friday is 30 April and Easter Monday, 3 May, is a public holiday.
When is the Patras Carnival in 2027?
The night parade is on Saturday 13 March and the Grand Parade on Sunday 14 March 2027. Clean Monday follows on 15 March.
Why is the Navarinia 2027 special?
On 20 October 2027 Pylos marks 200 years since the Battle of Navarino, which helped secure Greek independence, so the celebrations are expected to be bigger than usual. Book early.
Tell us which festival you want to see, your dates and how many you are, and we will reply within 24 hours with your plan, hotel and private transfers. Ask for your trip