Day of Family Sanctity and Respect for Parents
A church-backed day off with a large procession in central Tbilisi.
Rustaveli AvenuePhoto: George Kvizhinadze, CC BY-SA 2.0The Georgian Orthodox Church named 17 May a day of family values in 2014, and the government made it a public holiday in 2024. In Tbilisi a large church-led procession walks along Rustaveli Avenue towards Sameba Cathedral, and services are held across the country.
Central Tbilisi can be closed to traffic for several hours during the march. Plan taxi rides around it.
- Expect road closures on Rustaveli Avenue during the procession.
- Banks and public offices close; most museums open.
Where to see it
Last checked Oct 2026 by the Maspindzeli team. Mountain conditions change: ask us before you go.
More in May and after
Georgia's national day, marking the 1918 Democratic Republic, with flags, concerts and fairs in Tbilisi.
2 May 2027 (expected)Kutaisoba (Kutaisi City Day)Kutaisi's spring city festival, with concerts, folk dance and market stalls in the centre.
8 May 2027 (expected)New Wine Festival (Tbilisi)A one-day tasting in Mtatsminda Park where small producers pour the first wines from the previous autumn's harvest.