Traditions · Easter
Midnight bells, candlelight, red eggs and a very particular tradition on the east coast: handmade hot-air balloons released into the sky as the Resurrection is announced. What to expect.
The short answer
Orthodox Easter is the most important celebration of the Greek year, with a week of processions and fasting that ends in a midnight service and a feast. In Leonidio, Holy Saturday has a special name: the Night of the Balloons.
As the priest sings that Christ is risen, hundreds of handmade paper balloons rise over the town, glowing against the dark mountains. The custom is said to date from the late nineteenth century, brought home by local sailors.
We live on the same coast, so Easter is one of the times of year we most love to share. Here is what Holy Week is like, and how to enjoy it with respect.
Written by the Sampatiki Suites team. Updated September 2026.
The tradition
Balloons on Holy Saturday
Where
Leonidio, Arcadia
Easter 2027
2 May (check)
Best for
Culture and atmosphere
Holy Week
The dates move each year, because Orthodox Easter follows its own calendar.
Holy Thursday
Families dye eggs red and bake sweet Easter bread, and churches prepare for the days ahead.
Good Friday
A solemn evening procession carries a flower-covered bier through the streets, with candles and hymns. It is one of the most moving moments of the week.
Holy Saturday
The Resurrection service is at midnight. As the priest announces that Christ is risen, bells ring, candles are lit and, in Leonidio, hot-air balloons rise into the sky.
Easter Sunday
Families gather for a feast of lamb on the spit, red eggs cracked in a friendly contest, and long tables outdoors.
Our tip
Arrive in town early on Holy Saturday evening. The streets fill up, and the best views of the balloons are from the open areas by the square.
The balloons
The balloons, called aerostata in Greek, are made by hand from tissue paper and are often large and colourful. A burner at the base, made from a piece of cloth soaked in fuel, heats the air so that the balloon rises.
They stay in the air for around half an hour before they drift away or burn out, so the sky fills and empties in waves. It is a serene sight, and a reminder of how local traditions grow from the stories people bring home.
Visiting
Book early
Leonidio is small, so rooms fill months ahead for Easter weekend. Reserve early.
Be respectful
Services are solemn. Dress modestly in church and keep your voice low.
Eat
Try the Easter bread, the red eggs and the lamb. Many tavernas close on Easter Sunday, so ask where is open.
Plan
Orthodox Easter usually falls on a different Sunday from Western Easter. In 2027 it is on 2 May, but please check the date before you book.
Our tip
Combine Easter with a few spring days of walking. The hills are green and the weather is mild.
Easter on the east coast
Easter is a wonderful time to be on the east coast, with the hills in flower and the villages at their most welcoming. Spend a few nights in Leonidio, visit Elona Monastery during Holy Week, and enjoy the fresh spring air.
If you plan to come, write to us early. We can help you with rooms and with what to expect.
From us at Sampatiki
Easter is a special time on our coast. Write to us early about rooms and we will tell you what to expect in Leonidio on Holy Saturday and where to stand for the balloons.
Keep exploring
Questions
What is the Night of the Balloons in Leonidio?
A Holy Saturday tradition in which hundreds of handmade hot-air balloons are released into the sky at midnight as the Resurrection is announced.
When is Orthodox Easter?
It follows the Orthodox calendar and is usually on a different date from Western Easter. In 2027 it falls on 2 May, but please check before you book.
How long have the balloons been released in Leonidio?
The custom is said to go back to the late nineteenth century.
What should I wear for Easter services?
Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and keep your voice low in church.
Should I book a room early for Easter?
Yes. Leonidio is small and rooms fill early for the Easter weekend.
Is it safe to watch the balloons?
Yes. The balloons rise high and burn out in the air, but stand in open areas and follow local guidance.
Stay with us
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