If there’s one day that brings Greece to life like no other, it’s Easter Sunday. After 40 days of Lent, the country bursts into celebration with food, music, and a sense of renewal. From the midnight glow of Holy Saturday to the aroma of lamb roasting on a spit, Easter in Greece is a beautiful mix of faith, family, and flavour.
Whether you’re visiting a bustling city like Athens or wandering through a small village, Easter Sunday offers an unforgettable window into Greek culture at its most joyful.
Why Easter Means So Much in Greece
Greek Orthodox Easter often falls on a different date than typical Western Easter, and it’s widely considered the most important celebration of the year. However, this year Greek Orthodox Easter falls on the same days as the Gregorian calendar for the first time in 25 years! The week leading up to it—Holy Week—is celebrated with rituals, services, and symbolic preparations. On Holy Saturday night, families gather at churches around the country, candles in hand, waiting for the Holy Light to be passed and the joyful words “Christos Anesti!” (Christ is Risen!) to ring out.
This moment marks the end of fasting and the beginning of feasting, as people return home to break their fast with a warm bowl of magiritsa soup—and to prepare for the big day ahead.
Easter Morning: The Calm Before the Feast
Easter Sunday starts early, often with the sound of laughter and crackling fires. In courtyards, gardens, and village squares, lambs or goats are slowly turning on spits, seasoned with garlic, oregano, and lemon. Friends and family start gathering before noon, sharing drinks, music, and small plates while waiting for the main feast to be ready.
You’ll find the mood is light, cheerful, and full of togetherness—a celebration of both tradition and the arrival of spring.
The Easter Sunday Feast
Greek Easter is famous for its food, and with good reason. After weeks of eating simply during Lent, the Easter table is a lavish celebration of flavor and seasonal ingredients. Here are some of the highlights you’ll find:
Lamb on the Spit
This dish is the centrepiece of the meal! A whole lamb roasted over charcoal, basted with lemon juice and herbs. And it’s not just food—it’s a ritual. People gather around the spit all day, talking, drinking, and taking turns turning the lamb.
Kokoretsi
A bold and beloved tradition, kokoretsi is made from lamb innards (like liver and lungs), seasoned and wrapped in intestines, then grilled. It’s flavourful, rustic, and not for the faint-hearted—but for many Greeks, Easter wouldn’t be the same without it.
Magiritsa Soup
Served the night before, after midnight mass, this soup includes chopped lamb offal, fresh herbs, and a rich egg-lemon sauce (avgolemono). It’s the dish that breaks the Lenten fast and prepares the stomach for the next day’s feast.
Tsoureki
A sweet, aromatic braided bread flavoured with mahlepi and often adorned with a red-dyed egg. It’s soft and slightly chewy, and it’s the perfect balance to the savoury richness of the meat dishes.
Red Eggs & Tsougrisma
Red symbolises the blood of Christ, and egg cracking (tsougrisma) is a fun game where people tap their eggs against each other to see whose egg lasts the longest. It’s playful, symbolic, and always gets a few laughs.
Meze and Sweets
Tables are filled with cheese pies, dolmades, salads, dips, and local wine or tsipouro. Homemade desserts—like baklava, galaktoboureko, and halva—round off the meal.
Music, Dance, and True Celebration
As the feast winds down, the music picks up. In many parts of Greece, especially in villages, folk music and traditional dance become the afternoon’s entertainment. Generations gather to sing, dance, and celebrate. It’s a moment where community spirit truly shines.
Easter in Athens and Around Greece
In Athens, many locals return to their family villages, but the city still offers plenty of places to celebrate. Some tavernas serve traditional Easter menus, and neighbourhoods like Plaka and Kifisia can feel wonderfully festive.
If you ever get the chance to spend Easter outside the city, each region brings something special:
Corfu is famous for its pot-smashing tradition.
Chios has dramatic midnight fireworks.
Crete, Naxos, and Peloponnese villages offer rustic, authentic celebrations you’ll never forget.
A Feast for the Soul and the Senses
Greek Easter is a celebration of life. The food is rich, the traditions are meaningful, and the memories last long after the plates are cleared.
If you’re in Greece this spring, don’t miss the chance to experience Easter the Greek way. And if you’re in Athens, join one of our seasonal food tours to explore the flavours and stories behind this beautiful time of year.
Further Reading
The Epiphany in Greece – A Celebration of Faith, Water, and Tradition
