On Easter Monday villages carry their icons round with their own bands, some out to their chapels in the fields, then eat, drink and dance in the square. Next: Monday 3 May 2027.
When: Easter Monday, the day after Orthodox Easter. Where: Villages across the island: Sinarades, Benitses, Ano Korakiana, Doukades and more.
Icons, bands and a village feast.
On Easter Sunday or Monday each parish carries its icon of the Resurrection round its village. On Easter Monday Sinarades goes out from Saint Nicholas with its philharmonic, Benitses with its band, and Viros ends its procession with a boat trip to Pontikonisi; Vatos, Giannades, Kokkini and Pelekas walk out to their chapels for a liturgy, and Ano Korakiana, Gazatika, Doukades, Skripero and Makrades hold theirs with bands. Vatos, Pelekas and Makrades follow with a village feast.
In the village square, where the procession leaves and returns.
The processions walk the village lanes behind the band; watch from the square, or follow at the back as the villagers do.
Ask in the village the day before.
Each village sets its own hour, and few are published far ahead; the municipality and the local press list them in Holy Week. Village roads are narrow and parking is scarce, so come early or walk in.
A public holiday, and the villages' own day.
Easter Monday is a public holiday across Greece. Visitors are welcome to watch and to stay for the feast afterwards; buy a drink or a plate where food is sold, and ask before photographing people up close.
Checked on 14 November 2026.