Georgian holidays mean huge feasts, church services, folk celebrations, music and dancing. For travellers they're a chance to see the country at its liveliest — and practical information too: on public holidays banks and government offices close, transport is packed and accommodation prices rise. Here are the key dates for planning your trip.
Public holidays
Below are the main public holidays. The list occasionally changes, so check the current calendar before you travel.
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 1–2 January | New Year |
| 7 January | Orthodox Christmas (Shoba) |
| 19 January | Epiphany (Natlisgeba) |
| 3 March | Mother's Day |
| 8 March | International Women's Day |
| 9 April | Day of National Unity |
| Movable | Easter (Good Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday) |
| 9 May | Victory Day |
| 12 May | Saint Andrew the First-Called Day |
| 26 May | Independence Day |
| 28 August | Dormition of the Mother of God (Mariamoba) |
| 14 October | Svetitskhovloba (Mtskhetoba) |
| 23 November | Giorgoba — Saint George's Day |
New Year (Akhali Tseli)
The main family holiday. On New Year's Eve fireworks fill the skies of Tbilisi and Batumi and people visit each other's homes. Must-have dishes include satsivi, gozinaki (walnuts in honey), churchkhela and khachapuri.
A notable tradition is the mekvle, the first guest of the new year. The first person to cross the threshold is believed to set the family's luck for the year, so hosts arrange in advance who will come first.
Homes also display a chichilaki, a New Year "tree" made of shaved hazel wood that looks like a white beard. After the holidays it's burned to drive away misfortune.
Christmas — 7 January
The Georgian Church follows the Julian calendar, so Christmas falls on 7 January. There's a night service, and during the day Tbilisi and other cities hold Alilo, a festive procession with carols in which people in national costume collect gifts for those in need.
Easter (Aghdgoma)
The most important church holiday; its date changes each year. Eggs are dyed red and a sweet Easter bread is baked. On the Monday after Easter (Easter of the departed, Samopkhlo), families visit cemeteries — also a day off.
For travellers: many people head to the regions over Easter, so buses and minibuses fill up. Book accommodation early.
9 April — Day of National Unity
It commemorates the victims of 9 April 1989, when a peaceful rally in Tbilisi was violently dispersed. On the same date in 1991 the act restoring independence was adopted. Commemorations take place outside Parliament on Rustaveli Avenue, where people lay flowers.
26 May — Independence Day
On this day in 1918 the Democratic Republic of Georgia was proclaimed. Rustaveli Avenue hosts concerts, exhibitions and craft and wine fairs, and parks fill with celebrations. It's one of the most colourful days to visit Tbilisi.
Mariamoba — 28 August
The Dormition of the Mother of God. Thousands of pilgrims visit churches and monasteries, especially those dedicated to the Virgin. Some regions hold fairs and feasts.
Svetitskhovloba — 14 October
A feast honouring Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta, where, according to tradition, Christ's robe is kept. Mtskheta turns into a huge fair with stalls, music, wine and a church service. It's also the day of the ancient capital.
Giorgoba — 23 November (and 6 May)
Saint George is Georgia's patron saint, with hundreds of churches dedicated to him. November Giorgoba is a public holiday; the spring one (6 May) is marked in churches. Villages hold feasts, sometimes with old customs of animal sacrifice.
Tbilisoba — October
Tbilisi's city festival, usually held over a weekend in October. Expect wine, cheese and honey fairs, concerts, folk ensembles and craft workshops, especially in the old town, Freedom Square and along the embankment. It's a great reason to visit Tbilisi in autumn, while rtveli is still under way.
Rtveli — the grape harvest
Not an official holiday but a whole season, from mid-September to late October. In Kakheti and other wine regions grapes are picked, trodden in a satsnakheli and the wine is laid down in qvevri. Many wineries invite visitors to take part.
Alaverdoba — September
A folk and church festival at Alaverdi Monastery in Kakheti, linked to the feast of Saint Joseph of Alaverdi. Historically it drew people from all over eastern Georgia for horse races, songs and trade; today it's a church service and local celebration.
Mountain festivals
The mountain regions keep unique festivals, many blending Christian and ancient traditions:
- Lomisoba — in Mtiuleti, in summer. Pilgrims climb to the Lomisi shrine.
- Atengenoba — in Khevsureti and Pshavi, in summer, with beer, horse races and feasting.
- Tushetoba — in Tusheti in August: horse races, folk music and contests.
- Kvirikoba — in Svaneti in July: processions to the church of Kvirike and Ivlita.
Mountain festival dates depend on the church calendar and local custom — check with your guesthouse host.
Berikaoba
An ancient carnival of masks held before Lent. Participants in masks and animal skins stage street performances, joke and collect treats. Today berikaoba takes place in some villages and as a festival in towns.
Practical tips
- Banks and government offices close on public holidays. Supermarkets, restaurants and museums usually open, though hours may change.
- Transport. At Easter, New Year and long weekends minibuses and trains are packed — buy tickets early.
- Accommodation. Prices rise at New Year in Tbilisi and ski resorts, at Easter and around 26 May.
- Churches. On major church feasts they're crowded, especially Tsminda Sameba in Tbilisi and Svetitskhoveli in Mtskheta.
- Be a guest. If you're invited to a holiday feast, say yes — it's the best way to experience Georgian hospitality.
In short
Georgia's main holidays are New Year, Christmas on 7 January, Easter, 26 May, Mariamoba, Svetitskhovloba and Giorgoba. Come in autumn for Tbilisoba and rtveli, and in summer for mountain festivals. Factor public holidays into your plans, book early — and you may end up at the most generous table of your life.
