Thessaloniki Festivals & Cultural Events

Thessaloniki, the second largest city in Greece, has a long history and a rich culture to show its visitors. This is not only apparent in the many ancient sites of the town, for which Thessaloniki was chosen as the European Cultural Capital in 1997, but also through the numerous important festivals and events organized all year round.

Religious feasts & festivals

• Agios Dimitrios
A public holiday is celebrated on October 26th in memory of Agios Dimitrios, the patron saint of Thessaloniki. Schools, shops, and public services remain closed on this day, while a large school parade is held in honor of the saint. Of course, the Church of Agios Dimitrios is spectacularly decorated and welcomes thousands of pilgrims who wish to worship the saint.

• Transfiguration of the Lord
The Transfiguration of the Lord Holy Metropolitan Church in Kalamaria holds a 2-day celebration on the 4th and 5th of August. The feast features traditional dances and live performances of local music, culminating in an exciting panigiri, with many people gathering in the local square.

• Saint Athanasios
The Holy Church of Saint Athanasios in Evosmos, the oldest surviving post-Byzantine church in Western Thessaloniki, celebrates in early May. Traditional dances and songs from Asia Minor and Pontus characterize this lively celebration, accompanied by delectable local dishes and excellent wine.

Cultural events

• International Trade Fair
The Thessaloniki International Trade Fair is an annual commercial exhibition taking place every September for 10 days. This event was established in 1925, with its first exhibition being held in 1926. Since then, it has become one of the most important economic and political events in the country, gaining great esteem with participants from Greece, the Balkans, and Southeastern Europe. The fair is inaugurated by the prime minister, who often announces the policies of the government for the next year during the trade fair.

• International Film Festival
The International Film Festival of Thessaloniki takes place every year in autumn, seeing thousands of visitors from all over the world. Films are played in various cinema theatres in the center of Thessaloniki, although the head office of the festival is located in Olympion Theatre. It first started as a "Week of Greek Cinema" but now hosts the works of leading and emerging filmmakers from all over the world and attracts the attention of many celebrities. It includes competitive and non-competitive sections and presents innovative independent films by up-and-coming directors.

• International Festival of Photography
The Thessaloniki PhotoBiennale is one of the oldest festivals in Europe, created in 1988 by photographer and architect Aris Georgiou. Since 1998, it has been organized by the Museum of Photography of Thessaloniki, welcoming Greek and international artists. Events and exhibitions are held in various places around the town, including museums, galleries, bookshops, and cafeterias.

• International Book Fair
The Thessaloniki Book Fair was first launched in May 2004 and became one of the most important cultural institutions in the country soon thereafter. The festival is aimed at trade visitors and interested readers, publishers, authors, booksellers, and librarians, displaying a huge array of books, publishing services, and digital media. Every year the festival expands in venues, programs, and guests, providing new experiences, holding fun competitions, and offering many networking opportunities. Today, it is organized by the Hellenic Foundation for Culture in cooperation with Greek Publishers, TIF–HELEXPO, the Central Macedonia Region, and the Municipality of Thessaloniki, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

• Dimitria
This three-month-long festival has been held every September to December since 1966. Named after Agios Dimitrios, and organized by the Municipality of Thessaloniki, it has become a cultural institution for the city and one of the most beloved local events. It includes numerous musical, theatrical, and dance performances, street happenings, and exhibitions, highlighting the city’s unique cultural identity.

The Military Parade on October 28th

Every year on the 28th of October, Thessaloniki celebrates the National Anniversary of OXI Day (the day of No) with a spectacular military parade. On that day, the entire country commemorates the rejection of the ultimatum that Benito Mussolini gave to Greece on October 28th, 1940, which would lead to Greece officially entering World War II. Yet the celebrations in Thessaloniki start two days earlier, on the feast day of Agios Dimitrios, which is also the day that Thessaloniki was liberated from the Ottomans. On October 27th, a students’ parade sees participants from all schools in the area. The military parade on the 28th serves as the grand finale of the festivities, with Megalou Alexandrou Avenue being flooded with marching bands, folklore dancers, rescuers, firefighters, students, and military groups. Military aircraft fly over the Thermaikos Gulf, adding to the spectacle of the parade.