Traditional festivals are organized on the islands throughout the year to preserve local traditions. Many are religious, others reminiscent of historical events, and some to promote fish and fishermen. Once a year every little church celebrates its name day (its patron saint). During these festivals, the religious element coexists with the joy of life, since after the liturgy, merry-making, dancing, and local delicacies follow. Don’t miss this opportunity to dance and celebrate along with the sounds of traditional music and songs!
- Carnival Sunday: 40 days prior to Greek Easter, a celebration in Marpissa
- Good Friday: During the procession of the Epitaph the villagers revive scenes from the passion of Christ, in Marpissa, Marmara, Prodromos, Lefkes and Aspro Chorio.
- Easter Sunday: Celebration of love, Marpissa.
- April 23: Festival of Saint George, Aliki.
- Festival of the Ascension of Christ: 40 days after Easter, in Agios Fokas, Parikia and Piso Livadi.
- May 1 festival of making May wreaths
- May 8: Festival of Saint John the Theologian, Drios.
- June 23: Festival of Klidonas – burning of the dried flower wreaths made on May 1st, in Naoussa, Aliki, and Prodromos.
- Holy Spirit Holiday, (Ash Wednesday): Holy Trinity Holiday.
- June 30: Eve of Saint Anargiri, a celebration in Parikia
- 1st Sunday of July: Fish Feast, in Naoussa.
- July 17: Revival of “Tsabouna” (the bagpipe), Naoussa.
- July 16 & 17: Saint Marina day with a lot of festivities, fireworks, and a big feast in Antiparos.
- July 24: Saint Anna Eve, Parikia.
- August 6: Festival of Sotiras, Aliki and Marpissa.
- August 15: Festival of the Virgin Mary, in Parikia. Having the famous Ekatontapiliani Church dedicated to Mary, this is considered as the most important celebration on the island. Crowds gather from all over the country to attend the liturgies and to worship
- August 23: Nine days after the Virgin Mary Holiday, the streets of Naoussa are flooding with “pirates” in a revival of a Corsair attack night.
- August 27: Saint Fanourios Holiday, celebrations in Ambelas.
- August 28 & 29: Saint John Detis Holiday, Naoussa and Lefkes.
- beginning of September: Celebration of “Trata” (a type of fishing boat); in Parikia.
- September 8: Celebration of Our Lady of Faneromeni, Antiparos.
- The Holiday of Pera Panagia, Marmara.
During the summer months, all villages have various cultural events such as: fairs, festivals, concerts, shows, theatrical performances, art exhibitions etc. Visit the official webpages of Paros and Antiparos or follow them on Facebook to keep up to date with all the happenings!
