January
New Years Day is celebrated by the cutting of a cake containing a lucky coin and is followed by feasting, dancing and merriment.
On the 6th of January, (Baptism of Christ) the day is celebrated on the harbour of Pothia where priests bless the waters and throw in the Cross;
March
A parade along the harbour of Pothia on 7th March celebrates the Anniversary of the Independence of the Dodecanese. Girls and ladies wearing traditional dress represent each of the islands forming the group called Dodecanese.
Clean Monday
The celebration of this day (which is the starting of the Orthodox lent) varies according to Easter date. Many people go to the beaches to fly kites followed by lunch at a local taverna, eating just fresh fish or any other seafood with unleavened bread.
Easter Sunday
This is the biggest and most important celebration of Greece. Feasts or roasted lamb and goat take place all around, followed by dancing and merriment
24th of June
At dusk, the locals celebrate the feast of Saint John and small bonfires are lit on the beaches and the harbour front. Many people still carry on the old tradition of jumping over the fires.
26th of July
This is feast day on the eve of Saint Panteleimon when a big ceremony is held at the monastery dedicated to the healing saint, followed by celebrations.
15th of August
This is the feast day of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated all around Greece. In Kalymnos, church services take place, followed by dancing, feasting and music, These are of particular liveliness in the villages of Arginonda and on the islet of Telendos.
