Crete Festivals and Events
Greece is big on festivals, and especially Crete. Festivals and events are held throughout the year, and it's a great experience if you happen to be in Crete when something is being celebrated.
In addition to the public and religious holidays, and the Saints’ Days and Name Days (the equivalent of birthdays) celebrated nationwide, Crete celebrates the island’s fertility with festivals devoted to wine, sultanas, chestnuts and other produce, and on top of that the major towns hold annual arts and cultural festivals too.
Name Days
The Greeks celebrate not their birthday but their name day – the feast day of the saint after which they are named. So, every Maria or every Mikalis in one area will get together to celebrate in some way. This frequently means a big party. If you happen upon such an event, you will be made very welcome, although a small payment may be requested of everyone to cover the cost of food and drink. Dancing and music frequently follow the meal.
January
1 New Year's Day, the Feast of St Basil. Public Holiday.
6 Feast of the Epiphany and the Blessing of the Waters, celebrated in ports around the island.
March
25 Independence Day. Public Holiday celebrating the commencement of the 1821 Revolution against the Turks. Also the Feast of the Annunciation.
Carnival
Celebrated forty days before Easter in many places, notably Sitia.
Easter
The dates vary and are usually different from the Christian Easter, but it is the biggest festival in the Greek Orthodox Year. There are religious processions which build up to Mass on Saturday night, followed by feasting on Easter Sunday. Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are all Public Holidays in Greece.
Our Pick of the Crete Guides
April
23 The Feast of Ayios Yiorgios, St George, the patron saint of shepherds. Much feasting in many rural communities.
May
1 May Day, when many people traditionally go on picnics into the countryside. Public Holiday.
20 The Battle of Crete. Commemorated with events in and around Chania for up to a week.
21 The Feast of Saints Constantine and Helena, celebrated in many churches and monasteries named after them, most notably the Arkadi Monastery.
June
24 The Feast of St John the Baptist.
Late June. Naval Week, most notably celebrated in Soudha Bay.
Whit Sunday and Whit Monday are movable feasts celebrated seven weeks after Easter Sunday and Monday. Both are Public Holidays.
Summer
The Summer Arts Festival in Iraklion continues throughout the summer months.
From early July to mid-August the cultural festival called Kornaria takes place in Sitia.
In August and September the Renaissance Festival including international drama and music performances takes place in Rethymnon.
July
Late July. Rethymnon Wine Festival. Two weeks of tastings with music and dancing.
August
6 The Metamorphosis. Religious services and feasting, notably in Voukoulies (near Chania), Males (near Ierapetra) and Zakros, on the east coast.
15 The Feast of the Assumption, a Public Holiday.
25 The Feast of Ayios Titos, Crete’s patron saint. Celebrated across the island and with large processions in Iraklion.
Mid-August. The Sitia Sultana Festival lasts for a week and celebrates not only the local sultanas but the original grapes… and of course the wine made from them. Much feasting.
Late August. A traditional Cretan wedding takes place in Kritsa, to which all visitors to the island are invited.
Late August. On the night of the last full moon in August, a cultural event takes place in the Fortress at Sitia.
September
14 Feast of Ayios Stavros, a religious holiday celebrated in villages around Chania.
October
Mid-October. The Chestnut Festival takes place in western Crete in and around the village of Elos.
28 Ochi Day, a Public Holiday celebrated throughout Greece to commemorate the occasion when the Greek General Metaxas gave a one-word response, Ochi (‘No’), to Mussolini’s request to allow Italian troops into Greece in 1940.
November
7-9 The great explosion at the Arkadi Monastery is commemorated there.
21 Local holiday dedicated to the Mother of God with a service in the Cathedral in Chania.
December
6 Feast of Agios Nikolaos, the patron saint of seafarers, celebrated most notably in Agios Nikolaos itself, of course, but also in other smaller places around Crete which have the same name.
25 and 26. Christmas. Both Public Holidays in Greece.
Rent a Car on Crete
Other Crete pages
Where to Stay in Western Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in western Crete, including both luxury and inexpensive hotels in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.
Where to Stay in Irakleio
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Irakleio, the capital of Crete, including nearby beach resort hotels and accommodation in the city centre.
Where to Stay in Eastern Crete
Greece Travel Secrets suggests where to stay in Eastern Crete with our favourite hotels in Zakros, Elounds, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Istron Bay, Myrtos, Neapolis.
Keramos Studios in Zaros
Keramos Studios in Zaros on Crete is an inexpensive two-star hotel/guesthouse with one of the best breakfasts on the island using food from the family’s farm.
Where to Stay in Central Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.
Best Crete Hotels
The best Crete hotels include 5-star luxury hotels, historic and romantic Venetian palaces, and several hotels in Hania and Iraklion.
Crete
Crete (Kriti) is the largest Greek island and its main attractions include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Samarian Gorge, Chania and Rethymnon.
Zaros
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Zaros in Central Crete, including what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Zacharioudakis Winery
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.
Where to Eat in Western Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Western Crete with tavernas and restaurants in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.
Where to Eat in Eastern Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Eastern Crete including restaurants and tavernas in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kato Zakros.
Western Crete in Five Days
Western Crete in five days allows time to visit Chania and Rethymnon, enjoy the beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge and see the monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.
Western Crete Beaches and Villages
Western Crete has some wonderful golden sand beaches as well as mountain villages, monasteries, caves, and archaeological sites to discover.
West Coast of Crete Drive
This drive along the west coast of Crete and inland from there will take a whole day and starts and ends in Kastélli Kissámou, west of Chania.
Touring the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.
The Icon Painter
Icon painting is a centuries-old tradition in Crete and the rest of Greece, and Greece Travel Secrets meets a modern-day icon painter in Elounda on Crete.
The Herb Man of Kouses
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Cretan Botano herbs and spices shop near Matala in southern Crete in search of the herb man of Kouses.
The Cretan Diet
Studies have shown the Cretan Diet as one of the healthiest in the world, involving lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, and moderate amounts of wine.
Stilianou Winery near Knossos
The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.
The Snails House on Crete
The Snails House in Plouti near Phaistos in southern Crete serves the Cretan delicacy of snails, cooked in several different ways.
Sitia
Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.
Sir Arthur Evans, archaeologist at Knossos on Crete
Sir Arthur Evans is the archaeologist famous for the excavations he made at the royal palace of Knossos on Crete.
Shopping Tips for Crete
These shopping tips for Crete include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, icons, jewellery, leather, weavings, wood carvings, and food and drink.
Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is one the longest gorges in Europe and doing the hike is one of the best and most popular things to do on Crete.
Latest Posts
-
Greece’s November 20 Strike to Disrupt Ferry Services and Public Transport
A 24-hour nationwide strike is set to disrupt transportation in Athens and travel across Greece on Wednesday, November 20, as public transport and ferry employees join a general strike organized by Gr… -
Museum of Modern Greek Culture
A New Cultural Jewel in Plaka -
Zakynthos: Greek Draft Law Plans Ticket Requirement for Navagio Beach
Visitors to Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) on the island of Zakynthos will be required to purchase tickets for entrance once it reopens to the public, according to a new draft law proposed by the Gre… -
Musicians Ex Machina Breathe New Life into Greece’s Mountain Villages
A band of motorcycle-riding musicians is sending a powerful, melodic message from Greece's remote mountain villages that are at risk of being left deserted. -
Thessaloniki Bites: 6 Fresh Culinary Gems to Savor Around the Film Festival
With the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in full swing, we take a look at the city’s newest cafes, bars, and restaurants, along with some exciting culinary developments in the city. -
Athens Metro Lines 2 and 3 Extend Weekend Service Hours Until 2 AM
Beginning November 1, Lines 2 and 3 of the Athens Metro will extend their Friday and Saturday night service until 2 o’clock in the morning. -
History of Thessaloniki
Greece Travel Secrets outlines the history of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, from its origins through Roman times and the Ottoman period through to today. -
Autumn Escapes: Discover the Timeless Charm of Ioannina
Spend two days in Ioannina, the historic capital of the Epirus region, which is more beautiful in the autumn than any other city in Greece -
The Odysseas Elytis Museum Opens in Plaka
A new cultural landmark in Athens celebrates the life, work, and legacy of Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis. -
Gastronomos Awards 2024: Celebrating the Best Artisans of Cycladic Gastronomy
The highly anticipated list of award-winning producers was presented in the capital of the Cyclades, Syros, by Gastronomos, Greece’s top culinary magazine, published by the newspaper Kathimerini.
Why not sign up for our Greece Travel Secrets newsletter? Each week you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
LEARN A LITTLE GREEK BEFORE YOU GO!
LATEST NEWS
Latest Posts
-
Greece’s November 20 Strike to Disrupt Ferry Services and Public Transport
Nov 19, 24 11:07 AM
A 24-hour nationwide strike is set to disrupt transportation in Athens and travel across Greece on Wednesday, November 20, as public transport and ferry employees join a general strike organized by Gr… -
Museum of Modern Greek Culture
Nov 16, 24 11:16 AM
A New Cultural Jewel in Plaka -
Zakynthos: Greek Draft Law Plans Ticket Requirement for Navagio Beach
Nov 11, 24 10:03 AM
Visitors to Navagio Beach (Shipwreck Beach) on the island of Zakynthos will be required to purchase tickets for entrance once it reopens to the public, according to a new draft law proposed by the Gre… -
Musicians Ex Machina Breathe New Life into Greece’s Mountain Villages
Nov 09, 24 10:41 AM
A band of motorcycle-riding musicians is sending a powerful, melodic message from Greece's remote mountain villages that are at risk of being left deserted. -
Thessaloniki Bites: 6 Fresh Culinary Gems to Savor Around the Film Festival
Nov 09, 24 10:41 AM
With the 65th Thessaloniki International Film Festival in full swing, we take a look at the city’s newest cafes, bars, and restaurants, along with some exciting culinary developments in the city. -
Athens Metro Lines 2 and 3 Extend Weekend Service Hours Until 2 AM
Nov 04, 24 01:18 PM
Beginning November 1, Lines 2 and 3 of the Athens Metro will extend their Friday and Saturday night service until 2 o’clock in the morning. -
History of Thessaloniki
Nov 01, 24 08:04 AM
Greece Travel Secrets outlines the history of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second city, from its origins through Roman times and the Ottoman period through to today. -
Autumn Escapes: Discover the Timeless Charm of Ioannina
Oct 26, 24 04:25 AM
Spend two days in Ioannina, the historic capital of the Epirus region, which is more beautiful in the autumn than any other city in Greece -
The Odysseas Elytis Museum Opens in Plaka
Oct 26, 24 04:25 AM
A new cultural landmark in Athens celebrates the life, work, and legacy of Nobel laureate Odysseas Elytis.
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
