From the Aegean islands to mainland villages, Greek Easter is celebrated with centuries-old customs. Some date back to ancient Greece and its pantheon, while others emerged during the Ottoman occupation and the resistance. Today, these traditions still thrive in places like the Cyclades, Central Greece, Epirus, Macedonia, the Peloponnese, and Crete.

1. The Mazidia Procession (Kavala)

After many years, this old Easter tradition has been revived in the city of Kavala. On the third day of Easter, a religious procession begins at the Byzantine church of Saint Taxiarchis, where holy icons are carried to the oldest church in the area, known as “Mazidia.” The procession asks for Christ’s blessing on the new farming season. It ends in the village square, where a feast begins. The local priest leads the first dance, followed by the rest of the villagers to the rhythm of traditional songs. The celebration ends with food offerings from the unmarried women of the community.

2. The Easter Swings (Paros Island)

Dating back to ancient Greek times, this spring custom lives on in the village of Marpissa, on the island of Paros. In ancient Greece, swinging high into the air symbolized luck and freedom. Today, during Easter, locals construct makeshift swings across the village, tying ropes between a solid beam and the side of a house. Unmarried girls would swing to attract the attention of local boys, who would respond with improvised love poems. The girls had the final say in choosing their suitor.

3. Dining with the Dead (Kozani)

In some villages of northern Greece, especially in the Kozani region, locals gather on Easter Monday at the graves of their loved ones for what’s known as a “nekrodipno”—a memorial feast. Families bring their deceased relatives’ favorite foods, along with wine and sweets, and share a celebratory meal at the cemetery. As the day goes on, this quiet remembrance often turns into a lively gathering, with Pontic music, dancing, and songs that honor life and the memories of those who’ve passed.

4. The Roast Pit Contest (Livadeia)

In central Greece, Easter Sunday is all about spit-roasting lamb—but in Livadeia, it turns into a contest. Locals compete to build the best lamb pit (“lakkos”), judged by roasting technique, number of lambs cooked, and overall participation. Anyone confident in their grilling skills can join. The winner receives food and wine as a prize. Though this was once an informal tradition, it’s now become a yearly competition.

5. The Foot-Washing Ceremony (Patmos)

On Holy Thursday, the island of Patmos hosts a dramatic reenactment of the Last Supper. After the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of Saint John, a procession of monks and priests moves to the main square of the island’s town. There, the abbot—portraying Jesus—washes the feet of twelve priests representing the apostles. This ritual highlights the island’s spiritual significance and attracts pilgrims from across Greece and abroad.

6. The Rocket War (Chios Island)

One of the most spectacular—and controversial—Greek Easter traditions happens on the island of Chios. On the night of the Resurrection, two rival parishes in the town of Vrontados launch thousands of homemade rockets at each other in a mock “war.” The two churches—Panagia Erithiani and Agios Markos—aim to hit each other’s domes or bell towers. The next day, they count rocket strikes to determine the winner. Despite its popularity, this custom has a dark side: over 60 people have been seriously injured over the years, and at least 10 have died, making it one of the most dangerous Easter customs in Greece.

7. The Clay Pot Drop (Corfu)

In Corfu, locals celebrate the “first Resurrection” at exactly noon on Holy Saturday by throwing massive clay pots (“botides”) from their balconies. The city prepares for weeks, with handmade pots ready for their one-time flight. The smashing of these pots symbolizes the casting away of evil and the welcoming of new life. Police even issue notices the day before to clear parked cars from the streets to avoid damage. The festive chaos is accompanied by philharmonic bands and crowds cheering from below.

8. The Burning of Judas (Across Greece)

This tradition is found in many places—from Nafpaktos and Lefkada to Crete. During Holy Week, locals build a life-sized effigy of Judas Iscariot—the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Made from wood, straw, and old rags, and often packed with firecrackers in its eyes, the figure is paraded through town and set ablaze in a central square or even out at sea. Originating during the Ottoman era, this fiery ritual is a symbolic rejection of betrayal and evil.

9. The Hot Air Balloons (Leonidio, Arcadia)

In the town of Leonidio, Easter night is lit up by hundreds of glowing paper balloons, hand-crafted over several weeks by nearly every household in the area. The custom began in the late 1800s. The balloons are made from thin paper and bamboo sticks and lit with oil-soaked rags. At the moment of the Resurrection—when the priest declares “Christ is Risen!”—the night sky is filled with soft lights drifting into the heavens, creating a scene that’s magical and unforgettable.

10. The Burning of the Spinning Wheel (Pieria)

In several villages in the region of Pieria, a unique tradition known as “To kapsimo tis rokas” (the burning of the spinning wheel) takes place on the third day of Easter. Women dress in traditional costumes and dance the “Diplotos”—a local folk dance—while singing Easter songs. At the same time, a spinning wheel, once symbolic of women’s domestic labor under Ottoman rule, is set on fire. The act represents rebellion against oppression and the affirmation of freedom. Over time, it has become a symbolic ritual that leaves spectators deeply moved.