Oxi Day Parade 2025

National holiday parade commemorating Greece's refusal to surrender to Axis powers in WWII, featuring military parades and patriotic celebrations.

Oxi Day Parade 2025 in Crete takes place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, with morning church services, wreath-laying ceremonies, and grand student and military parades in the major towns of Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos, along with closures of archaeological sites and most public services for the national holiday. The day honors Greece’s defiant “No” on October 28, 1940, when Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected Mussolini’s ultimatum, marking Greece’s entry into WWII and becoming a lasting symbol of courage and unity remembered islandwide with flags, bands, and processions through city centers and waterfronts.

Date, holiday status, and where to go

• Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, observed nationwide as a public holiday with parades across Crete’s regional capitals and many smaller towns and villages.
• Crete’s parade hubs: Chania (Venetian Harbor area and city center), Rethymno (old town avenues), Heraklion (including Kournarou/Kornarou Square and central boulevards), and Agios Nikolaos (lakeside/center routes), with exact routes and times set by each municipality closer to the day.
• Closures and access: Archaeological sites and most businesses close; streets on parade routes are blocked and traffic is heavy as school buses bring students to march.

What happens on Oxi Day in Crete

• Church services: The day begins with a doxology at each city’s cathedral, honoring those who fought and fell for Greece; in Chania this service is held at the Metropolitan Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.
• Wreath-laying: Officials, armed forces, veterans, schools, and civic bodies lay wreaths at war memorials, with the national anthem and moments of silence at hero statues and monuments before parades step off.
• Parades: Primary and secondary schools, universities, scouts, guides, traditional dance groups in local attire, and armed forces contingents march with bands and flag details through city centers, drawing large crowds in a patriotic atmosphere.

Chania’s program example

Chania publishes a detailed ceremonial schedule each year. A recent program shows the rhythm that repeats annually:

• 10:45 a.m. doxology at the Metropolitan Church in the old town, with a keynote speech.
• 11:40 a.m. wreath-laying at the city’s Hero Statue near the Clock Tower by state and local leaders, armed forces, veterans, and civic organizations.
• 12:00 p.m. grand parade featuring schools, cultural associations in Cretan dress, and military units, followed by the lowering of the flag at Firkas Fortress late afternoon, and the lighthouse illuminated in blue and white throughout the weekend.
• This flow is a reliable template for 2025, with exact times confirmed by the municipality as the date approaches.

History in brief

Oxi Day commemorates Metaxas’ refusal of an Axis demand to allow Italian troops into Greece on October 28, 1940. The defiant “No” galvanized the nation, led to Greek resistance on the Albanian front, and remains a touchstone of national pride, marked every year with processions, flags, and civic rituals throughout Greece, including Crete. The holiday underscores values of bravery, solidarity, and freedom, often quoted with Churchill’s praise of Greek courage during the Greco‑Italian War.

How to experience the parades

• Arrive early: Streets close well before step-off; get to central squares at least 45–60 minutes ahead for good viewing near cathedrals, hero statues, or reviewing stands.
• Best vantage points: In Chania, the Metropolitan Church area, Hero Statue, and stretches near the Venetian Harbor give atmosphere and space; in Heraklion, Kornarou (Kournaros) Square is a prime spot mentioned by local guides.
• Respectful etiquette: Stand for the national anthem, remove hats during memorial moments, and avoid blocking marching lines or ceremonial areas; photography is welcome but keep sidewalks and crossings clear.
• After the parade: Cafés and tavernas fill quickly with families; book tables in advance. Expect a celebratory mood with patriotic songs and Cretan music through the afternoon.

Practical tips for visitors

• What’s open: Archaeological sites and state museums close; many shops close or keep limited hours; cafés and restaurants in old towns are usually open and busy after ceremonies.
• Transport: Use public transport sparingly around parade hours; parking is limited in centers. Plan on walking in from peripheral streets or using taxis before road closures begin.
• Weather and dress: Late October is mild; bring a light layer for sea breezes and comfortable shoes for standing. Wear modest attire if attending church services before the parade.
• With children: Parades are family-friendly and inspiring; keep a meeting point in case of crowd separation and bring water and a small snack for little ones.

Beyond the parades: cultural context

• Cathedrals and memorials: The doxology and wreath-laying give a solemn frame to the day. Visitors can better understand local history by visiting war memorials and reading plaques that narrate regional sacrifices.
• Flags and tradition: Homes and balconies display Greek flags; students march in school uniforms, while local groups sometimes appear in Cretan dress, connecting national remembrance with regional identity.
• Coastal gestures: In recent years Chania has illuminated its Venetian Lighthouse in blue and white over the holiday weekend, infusing the harbor with national colors and symbolism after dusk.

Planning a long Oxi Day weekend in Crete

• Friday–Monday stays: Stretch the visit to explore the Venetian Harbors of Chania or Rethymno, old-town museums, and nearby beaches, then join Tuesday’s ceremonies and parades before a relaxed evening by the sea.
• Food experiences: Pair parade day with Cretan comfort foods — kalitsounia, boureki, slow-cooked meats, and village salads — and toast with local wine or tsikoudia; reservations are wise on the holiday afternoon.
• Day trips: Before or after Oxi Day, consider Balos or Falasarna (Chania), Arkadi Monastery (Rethymno), Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, or the Lassithi Plateau from Agios Nikolaos for a fuller cultural arc.

Verified essentials at a glance

• Holiday: Oxi Day (Ohi Day), national public holiday.
• 2025 date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
• Crete observance: Morning church services, wreath-laying, and midday parades in Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos; road closures; sites and most services closed.
• Chania program pattern: 10:45 doxology, 11:40 wreaths at Hero Statue, 12:00 grand parade; lighthouse illuminated in national colors over the weekend; flag-lowering at Firkas Fortress late afternoon.

Mark Tuesday, October 28 on the calendar, pick a Cretan city center, and stand shoulder to shoulder with locals as bands, students, and veterans bring Oxi Day’s meaning to life. Arrive early, choose a vantage near the cathedral or hero’s monument, then linger after for a long lunch as flags ripple over the harbor. For route specifics and timings, check municipal announcements in mid‑October — and get ready to witness courage remembered with pride on Crete’s streets.