Event Details

CORFU EASTER

Corfu’s Easter is an unforgettable cultural and spiritual experience, with its unique blend of Orthodox traditions, Venetian influences, and local customs. The island turns into a stage for one of Greece’s most vibrant and impressive Easter celebrations, with the famous "pot smashing" tradition on Holy Saturday and processions accompanied by philharmonic bands. The event draws large crowds and blends religious and cultural experiences.

Easter Celebrations (April 2025)- An overview of the key events:

Palm Sunday (Kyriaki ton Vaion)

The celebrations begin with a solemn procession honoring Saint Spyridon, Corfu’s patron saint, credited with saving the island from a plague. The Saint's relics are carried through Corfu Town, accompanied by traditional music played by bands. Thousands of locals and visitors gather for this profound spiritual event.

Holy Thursday

On Holy Thursday, the town’s churches begin their preparations for Easter with the reading of the 12 Gospels and the ceremonial baking of traditional Easter bread, called "tsoureki." The streets are filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and sweets, as locals prepare for the weekend’s grand celebrations.

Good Friday (Megali Paraskevi)

This day is marked by the Epitaphios processions. Each parish in Corfu Town organizes its own procession, carrying a beautifully adorned bier symbolizing the body of Christ. As the sun sets, the atmosphere becomes truly mystical with candlelit streets, and the mournful sound of the philharmonic orchestras echoing through the old town's narrow alleys.

Holy Saturday Morning – The Pot Throwing Tradition

Here comes one of Corfu’s most famous and unusual customs! On Holy Saturday morning at 11 a.m., crowds gather in Corfu Town’s streets and squares, especially around the Liston area, to witness "Botides" (the Pot Throwing). Locals throw large clay pots, filled with water, from their balconies, crashing them onto the streets below. The smashing pots symbolize the expulsion of evil and the welcoming of new life, marking the joyous resurrection of Christ. It's a loud, thrilling spectacle and one of the most unique traditions in Greece.

Holy Saturday Night – The Resurrection

As midnight approaches, people gather in the church courtyards holding candles, eagerly awaiting the "Anastasi" (Resurrection). At midnight, the priest announces “Christos Anesti” (Christ is Risen), and the island lights up with fireworks, music, and joy. The atmosphere is one of euphoria, as the night sky fills with light and celebration. The locals then head home for a feast, breaking their fast with magiritsa (a traditional Easter soup) and cracking red-dyed eggs, a symbol of new life.

Easter Sunday – Feast and Celebrations

On Easter Sunday, Corfu continues its celebration with family feasts. Lamb is roasted on spits, and homes fill with laughter and joy. While Easter Sunday is typically more of a family affair, villages and towns may have smaller celebrations, with traditional dances and local festivities.

Cultural and Musical Highlight

Corfu’s philharmonic bands play a central role in the Easter events, especially during the Holy Saturday processions. The music is both melancholic and uplifting, creating a unique blend of mourning and celebration that’s unlike anywhere else in Greece.