Cretan festivals are easily the most important – and unmissable – traditional event. Besides prayers and traditions, the panagiri enliven villages’ life during the summer season and provide an excuse for the celebration-loving Cretans to have a party. Dance in a circle of locals dressed up in traditional costumes in a joyous celebration of a Saint; Feeling the rhythms, dancing by arm in arm with strangers and following the beat, enjoying traditional food that grandmums have prepared and party in a cheerful atmosphere till the early hours. Combine your holiday in Crete with one of the following festivals for long-lasting memories. The festivals of Crete are full of joy and life.
Traditional specialties of the region including local wine and rakis are offered to guests, typically for free. The food may be grilled lamb or steak, local savory appetizer, fresh olives and tzatziki, homemade xerotigana and more. The making of the food itself is a community effort consisting of homemade dishes.
All the events have an entrance from 5-15€ , including food and live music with the greatest Cretan Musicians. The venues and lineups change every year, so check on each year’s plans in advance.
June 2023
23/6 Hamezi – Xygalo Festival
Antonis Martsakis Start 21:00
23/6 Armeni - Custom of Klidona
Leuteris Kallergis Start 21:00
24/6 Zakros – Water Festival
Nektarios Atsalakis Start 21:00
24/6 Sfaka - Custom Klidona
· Manolis Papadakis · Start 21:00
July 2023
01/7 Paraspori – Snails Festival
· Kostas Kakoudakis and Michalis Petsakis · Start 20:30
15/7 Myrsini – Panigiri ·
Vangelis Vardakis and Kostis Avyssinos
20/07 Mesa Mouliana- Feast of Saint Elias
- Psarogiorgis Start 21:00
22/7 Piscokefalo Stadium – Corn Festival
· Achilleas Dramudanis · Start 21:00
22/7 Pefkoi – Panigiri ·
Psarogiorgis. Petrakis. Stavrakakis
25/7 Tourtouli – Festival
· Petros Maroulis · Start 21:00
26/7 Ziros – Festival
· Dimitris Betinis · Start 21:00
27/7 Handras – Panigiri
· Nikos Zoidakis
28/7 Palekastro – Myzithropitas Festival
· Local artists · Start 21:00
29/7 Sfaka – Festival
· Giorgos Psarakis (lute-singing), Michalis Kontaxakis Start 21:00.
August 2023
03/8 Khamezi – Traditional Cisterns
· Kostis Saridakis
05/8 Karydi – Panigiri
· Miltiadis Varouhakis
06/8 Exo Mouliana – Festival ·
Bouchlis and Kourakis · Start 20:30
06/8 Zakros – Feast of Christ
· Vassilis Stavrakakis
12/8 Sfaka – Concert ·
Manos Papadakis and Maria Avgustinaki · Start 21:30
12/8 Pears – Olive Oil Festival
· Manolis Alexakis and George Manolioudis
14/8 Maronia – Panigiri
· Manolis Stefanakis · Start 21:30
15/8 Lastros – Panigiri
· Manolakis, Paraschakis, Fasoulaki, Start 21:00
15/8 Paraspori – Daily festival
· Giorgos Koudoumogiannakis · Start 11:00 – 21:00
15/8 Sitanos – Panigiri ·
Psarogiorgis and Petrakis
19/8 Exo Mouliana – Festival
· Dimitris Betinis · Start 20:30
8/20 Sykia – Fig Festival ·
Anastasios Bouchlis · Start 21:00
September 2023
07/9 Festival
· Nikos Karkanis
08/9 Lithines– Festival
· Nikos and Antonis Xylouris
