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July 2026
115 July – 10 OctoberMastic harvest · ΜαστιχοσυλλογήGround swept and dusted with white clay from mid-July, trees cut from August, resin gathered and cleaned into autumn. The southern villages work from dawn.
August 2026
123 AugustNea Moni feast · Πανήγυρις Νέας ΜονήςThe leave-taking of the Dormition, kept at the eleventh-century monastery with a night liturgy under the mosaics.
October 2026
120 OctoberAgia Matrona of Chios · Αγία Ματρώνα η ΧιοπολίτισσαThe second patronal feast of the town, kept at the monastery church above Chios Town.
November 2026
111 NovemberLiberation of Chios · Απελευθέρωση της ΧίουAnniversary of the 1912 landing that ended Ottoman rule. Wreath-laying on the waterfront, schools and offices closed on the island.
December 2026
15 December – 6 JanuaryChristmas in Chios Town · Χριστούγεννα στη ΧίοLights along Aplotarias, a market on the square, carol singing on Christmas Eve and the blessing of the waters at the harbour on Epiphany.
March 2027
414 MarchMostra carnival · ΜόστραThe island carnival: masked troupes, the talimi dance and satirical verse, on Cheesefare Sunday in the villages south-west of Chios Town.
15 MarchClean Monday · Καθαρά ΔευτέραStart of Lent. Kite-flying on the headlands, lenten tables, shops shut.
25 MarchIndependence Day · 25η ΜαρτίουParade along the waterfront; a national holiday, so museums and most shops are shut.
30 MarchCommemoration of the 1822 massacre · Μνήμη της Σφαγής της ΧίουMemorial services for the destruction of the island in April 1822, held at the cathedral and at the ossuary of Nea Moni.
April 2027
25 April – 15 MayCitrus blossom in Kampos · Ανθοφορία στον ΚάμποThe walled estates come into flower and the whole plain smells of it. The best few weeks of the year to walk Kampos in the evening.
23 AprilFeast of Agios Georgios · Άγιος ΓεώργιοςVillage panigiria with a liturgy in the morning and eating, wine and violi in the square after dark.
May 2027
31 MayRocket War, Vrontados · ΡουκετοπόλεμοςTens of thousands of homemade rockets fired between the rival parishes of Agios Markos and Panagia Erithiani across the night of Holy Saturday. Watch from the agreed public viewing points only.
2 MayOrthodox Easter · ΠάσχαThe largest date in the island year. Services on Holy Saturday night, spit-roasting and open houses on Sunday; most shops and many sites close.
14 MayAgios Isidoros, patron of Chios · Άγιος ΙσίδωροςThe town patronal feast, with a procession from the cathedral and a public holiday in Chios Town.
June 2027
124 JuneKlidonas, St John's fires · ΚλήδοναςMay wreaths burned on bonfires in the squares on the eve, with jumping over the flames and the old water-and-token divination.
July 2027
315 July – 10 OctoberMastic harvest · ΜαστιχοσυλλογήGround swept and dusted with white clay from mid-July, trees cut from August, resin gathered and cleaned into autumn. The southern villages work from dawn.
22 JulyPilgrimage to Agia Markella · Αγία ΜαρκέλλαThe island’s great pilgrimage. Boats and buses run from Chios Town to the shrine on the north-west coast; expect crowds and a long, slow road.
27 JulyFeast of Agios Panteleimon · Άγιος ΠαντελεήμωνPanigiria in several parishes; one of the busiest mid-summer village nights.
August 2027
215 AugustDormition of the Virgin · Κοίμηση της ΘεοτόκουThe high point of the summer. Panigiria in most villages, the diaspora home, ferries and rooms fully booked for a week either side.
23 AugustNea Moni feast · Πανήγυρις Νέας ΜονήςThe leave-taking of the Dormition, kept at the eleventh-century monastery with a night liturgy under the mosaics.
Feast days and seasons are fixed or calculated from the Orthodox calendar and are dependable. Announced items are pulled from local news feeds and are indicative only — confirm the time and place with the organiser before setting out.