In depth · Christmas & New Year
Christmas in the Greek Islands: kalanta, karavakia and the blessing of the waters
Out of season, the islands belong to the islanders, and Christmas shows them at their most authentic. Harbours are hung with lights and little illuminated boats, children sing the kalanta from door to door, and on 6 January the priest throws a cross into the sea and swimmers dive to bring it back.
Updated October 2026
Which islands to visit at Christmas
In winter choose an island with a living town. Ermoupoli, the neoclassical capital of Syros, gathers around Miaoulis Square and has both Orthodox and Catholic churches. Chania and Heraklion on Crete, the old towns of Rhodes and Corfu, and Hydra and Aegina, an easy ferry ride from Piraeus, all stay open and celebrate the season.
Our advice: check winter ferry timetables before you book, as sailings are fewer and can be cancelled in rough weather, and choose a hotel that stays open all year.
Greek Christmas traditions
Alongside the tree, many island families decorate a little boat, the karavaki, a reminder of a seafaring nation, and harbours often light one of their own. On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, children go from door to door singing the kalanta, the carols, with triangles. Bakeries fill with melomakarona, honey and walnut cookies, and kourabiedes dusted with icing sugar.
New Year and Epiphany
On New Year’s Day, families cut the vasilopita, a cake with a hidden coin that brings luck to whoever finds it. On 6 January, Epiphany, priests bless the waters in harbours across the islands by throwing a cross into the sea, and young swimmers dive to retrieve it, a ceremony that brings whole towns down to the quay.
Questions and answers
Are the Greek Islands open at Christmas?
The larger islands and island capitals, such as Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and Syros, live year-round; many small resorts close in winter.
What is the karavaki?
A small decorated boat, a Greek Christmas tradition alongside the tree.
What happens on 6 January in Greece?
Epiphany: priests bless the waters by throwing a cross into the sea, and swimmers dive to retrieve it.
Join the conversation
Spent Christmas on a Greek island? Share your favourite harbour, bakery or Epiphany.
- Loading the conversation…
Winter ferry timetables and hotel openings change every year: check them before you travel.