Public holiday in Greece
Clean Monday in Greece
Monday, February 23, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Clean Monday is a nationwide public holiday in Greece that marks the start of Lent in the Orthodox calendar. It is widely associated with outdoor outings, special foods and the first day of the fast.
About Clean Monday in Greece
In Greece, Clean Monday is the opening day of Great Lent in the Orthodox tradition and a nationwide public holiday. It falls just before the long period of Lenten preparation that leads toward Easter, so it has both religious and practical significance in the calendar. Many people use the day for family time, short trips or outings, while others treat it as a quiet day focused on the beginning of fasting.
History
Clean Monday developed as part of the Orthodox Christian calendar observed in Greece, where it marks the transition from Carnival season into Lent. Its public-holiday status reflects the long-standing place of Orthodox observance in Greek civic life.
Traditions
The day is associated with fasting foods in Greece, especially lagana, a flat unleavened bread. Meals often include ingredients allowed during the fast, such as legumes, vegetables, seafood and tahini-based foods. It is also linked with kite flying, which has become one of the best-known seasonal customs of the day.
How Clean Monday is celebrated in Greece
Many Greeks spend Clean Monday outdoors, often on picnics, at the coast or in the countryside. Families and groups gather for simple Lenten meals, and kite flying is a common activity in parks, open fields and waterfront areas.
Interesting facts
Clean Monday is also known in Greek as Kathara Deftera. It is one of the movable public holidays in the Greek calendar because its date follows the Orthodox Easter cycle.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 Feb 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.