Clean Monday 2027 (Kathara Deftera): Date, Traditions & Where to Celebrate

Clean Monday - known in Greek as Kathara Deftera (Καθαρά Δευτέρα) - falls on 8 March 2027. It is one of Greece’s most joyful public holidays: the official start of Orthodox Lent, celebrated outdoors with kites, food, and family gatherings.

What Happens on Clean Monday

Families head to parks and open hillsides to fly kites - a tradition symbolising the spirit rising above earthly things. Athens fills Filopappou Hill and the National Garden with kite flyers from early morning.

The food served on Clean Monday is strictly Lenten: lagana (a flat sesame-topped bread baked only on this day), taramasalata, olives, octopus, squid, mussels, and other shellfish. Meat and dairy are avoided - it is the first day of the Orthodox fast.

Where to Celebrate

• Athens: Filopappou Hill is the traditional kite-flying spot, with views across to the Acropolis. Tavernas across the city serve Lenten mezedes throughout the day.
• Galaxidi: This small coastal town hosts a famous flour war - locals and visitors pelt each other with coloured flour in a tradition unique to Galaxidi. It gets messy.
• Thessaloniki: City parks and the seafront fill with families from morning; open-air restaurants serve lagana and seafood.
• Greek islands: Lower-key but widespread - local beaches and windswept headlands fill with kite flyers, especially on Crete and Rhodes.

Practical Notes

• Clean Monday is a public holiday: banks, government offices, and most shops are closed.
• Supermarkets and restaurants typically open; bakeries sell lagana from early morning.
• It follows the end of Apokries (the Greek Carnival season), which peaks on the Saturday and Sunday before Clean Monday.

Clean Monday Dates

Year	Kathara Deftera
2026	2 March 2026
2027	8 March 2027
2028	21 February 2028