Things to do in Samos in the coming months
To help you experience the most of Samos, we have put here a few suggestions every month. We do our best to update this list, as soon as we become aware of what is happening.
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Below you will find a Facebook group with Samian Events where you can find some of the events being posted.
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We hope those links will make your experience in Samos even more enjoyable and fun.
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For the ones of you who are looking to experience Ikarian hospitality and Panigiri, here is a link with all the panigiria in Ikaria for 2024.
March
Spring is on its way and Easter is coming. Before that, we have the Greek Halloween, Apokries as it is named in Greece. Several celebrations are coming up
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8th to 16th of March - Women's Day and Carnival in Chora Village
During the Carnival, there are several dances and celebrations that take place all over the island.
In Chora The custom of Cadi, is a satire about the Turkish judge and tax collector during the Turkish occupation of Hellas.
Check the link to see all the dates.
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17th of March - The custom of Cadi in Spatharei Village
The custom of Cadi is a satire about the Turkish judge and tax collector during the Turkish occupation of Hellas.
In the village of Spatharie every year people dress up, and make fun of this ruler, extending to all rulers. This is usually on the last day of the local Carnival.
Please note to be open-minded as it can be a bit ¨sexual¨ and insulting to all rullers. A good fun all around though.
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16th to 18th of March - Clean Monday Holiday
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23rd of March - Annunciation of the Virgin Mary
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5th of March - Anniversary of the Revolution of 1821
During this day there are parades in the big cities of Samos Island, a spectacle worth watching.
April
The Holy Week begins on Monday, April 29, 2024, Good Friday is on May 3, 2024, and Easter Monday is on May 6, 2024.
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​29th of April - Beginning of Orthodox Christians Holy Week ​
The Holy Week begins on Monday, April 29, 2024.
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Click the link below to get some more information about Hellenic Orthodox Easter, the biggest and most important celebration for all Hellenic Orthodoxy. In the link, you will also find the typical Hellenic food recipes.
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Note that during Easter there are several firework displays, processions, and an intimate, sad feeling all around. This is until Easter Sunday when the sadness has been replaced by fun, drinking, dining, and laughter.
May
The start of the summer is here. May is one of the best months for anyone who prefers not-so-hot days. The climate is perfect for hiking and walks in the mountains.
This year is also the start of the Greek Easter, the most important religious and cultural celebration in Greece. In 2024, Greek Easter is celebrated on the 5th of May. Here are some of the unique Greek Orthodox Easter traditions and customs.
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Temperatures during May range from 15 to 25 degrees on average.
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1st of May - Worker's Day
A holiday celebrated and associated with the labor movement and honors labor mobilization and workers' rights.
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2nd of May - Good Thursday
This is the time to prepare for the easter table, paint eggs, make cookies, and all around preparations for the procession which takes place on Good Friday.
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3rd of May - Good Friday
On the evening of Good Friday, every church in Greece mourns the death of Jesus and organizes an Epitafios procession. The Epitafios is a wooden construction covered with a piece of precious cloth, often adorned in gold and silver. It depicts the dead body of Jesus, and is usually decorated with flower petals.
Good Friday Epitafios procession before Easter
During this ceremony, the Epitafios is carried around every single town and village in Greece. People follow the procession around the neighbourhood, carrying candles. The procession begins and ends at the church, and it’s a uniquely solemn event.​
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4rth of May - The Anastasi - Resurrection
On Holy Saturday, there are various church services during the day. Late in the evening, people gather outside the church in expectation of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which we call Anastasi in Greek.
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The Holy Light, which signifies the Resurrection, arrives from Jerusalem. Exactly at midnight, the flame quickly spreads among the crowd as everyone in the congregation lights their candle.
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People kiss each other on the cheek, repeating the phrases “Christos Anesti” (Jesus has risen) and “Alithos Anesti” (He has truly risen).
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This is a solemn event, but it is now one of joy, and is accompanied by loud chiming bells and plenty of fireworks and firecrackers. Then everyone returns home, holding their lit candles. It is customary to make a cross out of candle smoke on the ceiling, just above the entrance door. This symbolizes the fact that Christ is risen from the dead. After dinner at home, it is going out time to celebrate with friends and dance till the morning.
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5th of May - Easter Sunday
Greek Easter food is intrinsically tied to feasting on lamb and goat on the spit. This is prepared on Easter Sunday everywhere around Greece. Many towns and villages have designated areas where people cook several lambs and goats, for many hours. The tradition in Samos however is staffed goats back.
The procedure begins early in the morning and continues until late in the evening. Apart from roasted lamb or goat, you can usually find kokoretsi and gardoumpes, meat delicacies made with the various lamb and goat entrails. A proper Easter table also has potatoes, salads, various pies and the red Easter eggs. Not to mention wine, beer, and more Greek drinks. This is a good chance to listen to some traditional Greek folk music and try some dancing!
In some areas of Greece, Easter might tie in with the celebrations of St George’s day and go on for two or three days
June
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TBC - Kokkari festival takes place
The first two weeks of June have perfect, sunny and warm 27 °C degrees weather, Those are the days to head towards the north side of Samos island.
In the following months, there are many religious festivals and cultural events that happen on the Island of Samos. The majority of them take place in July and August.
On the days of religious festivals, it is a custom in Samos to serve the locals and visitors alike, a traditional dish called ‘Giorti’, savory dish made with wheat, onions, and goat meat prepared for the whole night before the celebrations early the next day.
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The origin of those feasts are traced back thousands of years, from Minor Asia, even mentioned in ancient Greek times, where those kinds of feasts were associated with animal sacrifices. The feast back then was the invocation of divine protection, thanksgiving, and fulfillment of a meal for health, happiness, and euphorbia. Later, during the Christian period, it was in harmony with the Christian communes and the banks of love.
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We recommend trying at least once this experience as it is a unique opportunity to be properly immersed in the local culture.
July
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17th of July - The religious feast of Agia Marina, Vourliotes.
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26th & 27th of July - The religious celebration and feast of Agia Paraskevi, in the village of Hora
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End of July / Begging of August - Samos Wine Festival
The wine festival takes place every summer, starting off in the small villages around the island and ending up in Samos town with wine tasting, music and performances.
You have to buy a souvenir cup and it can be filled it as many times as you like.
More information visit:
August
August is the month of the year that most things take place in Greece.
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5th of August – The Battle of Mikali
A festival held to celebrate the anniversary of the Sea Battle of Mikali that took place between the Samians and the Ottomans on the 5th of August 1824 during the Greek War of Independence. The Samians used ‘fireships’ (ships deliberately set on fire and sailed into the enemy fleet) to defeat the Ottoman invasion. In the evening of the festival, a symbolic ‘fireship’ is set alight in the harbor of Pythagorio. During this day there are a lot of fireworks.
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TBC: 7, 8 & 9 of August – Ireon Music Festival
The Ireon Music Festival started in 2003 and has become one of the biggest music festivals in Greece. Local, National, and International bands play Rock/Pop/Electro and Reggae throughout this 3-day event. This year the event is celebrating its 19th. Find more information here:
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TBC: 7 – 13th of August - Samos Young Artists Festival -
For the 9th consecutive year, this event will be held in the ancient theater of Pythagorion.
Admission tickets can be purchased at the box office for € 5. The theater was constructed in the fourth century B.C. and is located on a hillside at the foot of Mount Kastri, near the Panagia Spiliani Monastery. It looks out over the harbor city of Pythagorion – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and the sea. Today, the theater has 1000 seats. When traveling on the main road to Vathy (Samos Town), turn left towards the Efpalinon Tunnel just before leaving town. The theater is within 20 minutes' walking distance of Pythagorion. Due to the traffic situation, those who drive are recommended to arrive early.
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15th of August – The Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
This is one of the most special days for Greeks. During this day there are many celebrations in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. There is one in Vathi as well as in Pythagorean or any other church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
September
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8th of September – Feast in the monastery of Virgin Mary
Held in Panagia Vrondiani in Vourliotes village, this is a famous festivity across the islanders of Samos. As always there will be Giorti to try (see June).