Looking for concerts, festivals and cultural events in Crete this week? Here is a selection of events taking place across the island from Sunday 12 to Sunday 21 July 2026.
- Sunday, July 12
Karagiozis shadow theatre – Zoforoi village (Municipality of Minoa Pediada)
The traditional Karagiozis shadow puppet theatre performance “Shadows and Laughter” will take place in Zoforoi.
Free admission.
Organised by: Zoforoi Cultural Association
- Wednesday, July 15
Traditional music & dance performance – Episkopi village (Municipality of Minoa Pediada)
A traditional music and dance performance will take place at Panagiotakis Park in Episkopi, featuring the “Agios Minas” Traditional & Byzantine Choir of Episkopi Pediados.
The performance, titled “When Shall We Set Sail…”, is dedicated to the islands of the Aegean Sea and will be conducted by Grigoris An. Giakoumakis.
Time: 9:00 PM
Cretan music night – Arkalochori (Municipality of Minoa Pediada)
Enjoy an authentic Cretan music evening at the Arkalochori Exhibition Centre (EPAL Arkalochori) with renowned musicians Lefteris and Manousos Kallergis.
Concert: “Manolis Lidakis – 100 Years of OFI FC” – Kastelli (Municipality of Minoa Pediadas)
A special tribute concert celebrating the life and music of Manolis Lidakis and the 100th anniversary of OFI F.C, will be held in the courtyard of Kastelli Gymnasium–High School.
Time: 9:00 PM
Featuring performances by:
- Babis Stokas
- Pantelis Thalassinos
- Marios Frangoulis
- Giannis Dionysiou
- Zoi Papadopoulou
- Kostas Trantafyllidis
- Kostas Leivadis
- Michalis Tzouganakis
- Georgios Nikiforou Zervakis
- Giannis Lidakis
Free admission.
Organised by: Cultural Associations and Community Organisations of Kastelli Municipal Unit
Co-organised by: Region of Crete & Municipality of Minoa Pediada
- Thursday, July 16
Cretan music night – Panagia village (Municipality of Minoa Pediadas)
Experience a traditional Cretan feast with live music by Grigoris Samolis and his band.
Organised by: Panagia Cultural Association
- Friday, July 17
Theatre performance – “The Daughter” (Rethymno)
Following a series of sold-out performances, “The Daughter”, the acclaimed play by Antonis Tsipianitis, returns for a limited summer tour starring Katerina Didaskalou.
The performance will be presented at the Erofili Theatre.
39th Thrapsano potters’ festival (Municipality of Minoa Pediada)
The village of Thrapsano hosts the 39th Potters’ Festival, celebrating its long-standing ceramic tradition.
The evening concludes with a traditional Cretan music celebration featuring Chrysanthos Makrakis and his band.
- Saturday, July 18
Cretan music night – Ano Kastelliana (Municipality of Minoa Pediadas)
Enjoy a traditional Cretan celebration with live music by Kostas Nodarakis and his band.
Organised by: Ano Kastelliana Cultural Association
- Sunday, July 19
Music concert: “On the paths of greek song” (Municipality of Chersonissos)
Singer Michalis Klontzas presents a concert featuring beloved Greek songs in the courtyard of Evangelistria Church, Limenas Hersonissos.
Time: 09:00 PM
Traditional Cretan Feast – Smari (Municipality of Minoa Pediada)
On the eve of the feast day of Prophet Elijah, the village of Smari hosts a traditional Cretan celebration with live music by Kostas Saridakis and his band.
Organised by: Smari Cultural Association
- Monday, July 20
Theatre Performance – “Goddesses” (Municipality of Chersonissos)
The play “Goddesses” by M. Kounougakis, presented as part of the 100 Years of OFI FC celebrations by Figure 7, directed by K. Metaxakis, will be staged in the courtyard of the Elia Cultural Association.
Time: 9:00 PM
Theatre Performance – “The Free Besieged” (Municipality of Minoa Pediada)
In the village of Apostolous, at the Apostolous Theatre, the theatrical performance “The Free Besieged: A Study on the Work of Dionysios Solomos” will be presented. Two hundred years after the Exodus of Messolonghi, the voice of Solomos remains alive. Through the music and poetic language of Dionysios Solomos’ “The Free Besieged,” the performance evokes memory, faith, and the timeless pursuit of freedom.
The performance is presented by the Mixed Choirs of the Municipalities of Minoa Pediada and Archanes-Asterousia, under the direction of Argyro Reppa, in collaboration with the Theatre Workshop of the Municipality of Archanes-Asterousia, directed by Petros Mavromatides.
Free admission.
- Tuesday, July 21
The theatrical performance “We Build Bridges – We Break Silences” from Figure 7 by K. Metaxakis will take place in the courtyard of the former Potamia Primary School. Starting time: 20:30.