6 feasts and festivals, May–August, across 6 villages. The big one: Panigiri of the Dormition, Chora (15 August). Dates are computed for 2027.
＋ All to calendar (.ics)Full Samothrace guide →What would the trip cost? →Nothing matches these filters.
6 May
On the Thursday after Easter the port village celebrates its Panagia with a procession and a re-enactment of the finding of the icon, followed by a sardine feast on the harbour. The following Sunday (Thomas Sunday) Chora keeps the Five Martyrs with procession and dances. Spring, so bring a jacket; ferries from Alexandroupoli are busy with returning islanders.
early July, 5 days (2-6 Jul 2026) · Chora and villages
A small independent theatre-and-music festival, fifth edition in 2026, staged in old schools, kafeneia and the forest square of the island's villages in early July: adult and children's theatre, traditional performances, free or cheap tickets. Followed later in July by the Persephone Saos music festival (20-25 July 2026). Programme on enafestivalstisamothraki.com.
17 July
The first of Samothrace's summer panigiria, in the farming village of Alonia below Chora, organised by the island's cultural association 'Saos'. After the morning liturgy the village serves the Samothracian classic, gorgovrasto (quick-boiled goat), and there is dancing to local music. Simple, cheap and genuinely local.
20 July
The mountain village of Profitis Ilias in the south-west, famous for its goat tavernas, keeps its patron's day on 20 July with gorgovrasto after the liturgy, dancing, and roast goat in the evening. The island's best-known panigiri for food; the tavernas are packed, so eat at the communal tables or book.
26 July
Held at Palaiopoli next to the Sanctuary of the Great Gods, on 26 July, organised by the 'Saos' cultural association: liturgy, then food and dancing in the shadow of the archaeological site. Palaiopoli also keeps Sts Peter and Paul (29 June) with a vespers and all-night vigil at Alevantza.
15 August
The island capital's big night: on the evening of 15 August the square of Chora, under the castle, hosts a traditional panigiri with local musicians and dancing. Chora keeps the Transfiguration (6 August) the same way. Both are busy with the August camping crowd from Therma, so come up early for a seat.
Dates are resolved for 2027: fixed saint's days as they fall, movable feasts computed from Orthodox Easter (2027: 2 May). Panigiria are usually held on the eve of the saint's day, and a village occasionally shifts one to the nearest weekend — where an entry says "confirm locally", the date comes from recent years' announcements rather than an official calendar. If you know better, the feedback button exists for exactly this.
