Crete comes alive in summer with a vibrant calendar of cultural events—from lively village festivals with Cretan music and food to open-air concerts and theatre performances under the August moon. These celebrations are embraced not only by locals but also warmly welcomed by visitors eager to experience the island’s traditions. Patris.gr highlights the most important happenings for the coming days.
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Kastamonitsa’s Eftazymo Bread Festival – Day 2
The picturesque village of Kastamonitsa continues its celebration of “eftazymo,” a traditional leavened bread made with chickpea starter. Volunteers prepare local delicacies along the narrow village streets, where handcrafted folk art decorates the pathways. Visitors can taste the renowned bread and enjoy two festive gatherings:
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7:00 PM – Live music with Kostis Veligkrantakis at Agia Kyriaki Square
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9:00 PM – Stelios Vamvakas and his band at the village primary school
7th Banana Festival – Arvi, Viannos (Heraklion Prefecture)
This unique three-day festival (August 8–10) celebrates Arvi’s banana production with home-style banana desserts, banana liqueur, and fresh fruit served by the organizing committee and local women. Events start at 7:00 PM daily.
Saturday, August 9 Highlights:
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8:30 PM – Theatrical play “Emine” by Giorgis Karatzis (Heraklion Theatre Stage)
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11:00 PM – Cretan night with Antonis Martsakis and his band
Rembetiko Night at Georgiadis Park – Heraklion
Under the glow of the August full moon, Georgiadis Park transforms into a tribute to rembetiko, Greece’s urban blues. Hosted by DEPANAL S.A., the event starts at 9:00 PM at the café “To Parko Mas.” Accompanied by bouzouki, baglamas, and guitar, musicians will perform songs by Markos Vamvakaris, Panagiotis Toundas, Vassilis Tsitsanis, and others from the traditional and modern Greek repertoire.
Performers:
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Theofanis Haskos – bouzouki, vocals
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Vangelis Kakoudakis – bouzouki, baglamas, vocals
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Giorgos Chalkiadakis – guitar, vocals
“Snail Night” in Ini – Full Moon Celebration
Ini village hosts its annual celebration dedicated to snails (chochlioi), a local delicacy. With a focus on hospitality and local ingredients, the evening features an array of vegetarian dishes prepared by village women.
Enjoy the full moon over the Kera plateau accompanied by music:
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Giannis E. Spithakis (lyra, vocals)
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Stathis Alexandrakis & Konstantinos Liandrakis (lute)
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Nikos Vererakis (winds, percussion)
Part of the “Arkadia 2025” festival, the event is organized by the Inatos Cultural Association in partnership with the Region of Crete.
Sunday, August 10, 2025
12th Shepherd and Cheese Festival – Zoniana, Mylopotamos (Psiloritis region)
Zoniana celebrates its pastoral roots with an annual festival that honors Crete’s livestock and culinary heritage.
Highlights include:
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A ceremonial cutting of the world’s largest kefalotyri cheese
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Tastings of local dishes prepared with ingredients from the mountainous region
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Traditional music and performances from local artists and cultural associations, including “To Aori,” “I Ntelikani,” and the group of Thanasis Mavrokostas
Hosted by George Vitoros, a well-known figure of Cretan folklore, the festival begins at 5:00 PM.
“Culture Circle” Events in Bitzarianó & Kastelli
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6:00 PM – Guided tour of the Byzantine Church of Saint Panteleimon (Bitzarianó) by archaeologist George Katsalis. Local treats offered by the parish of Karouzana.
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7:00 PM – Tour of the Byzantine Church of Christ the Savior (Kastelli) by Eleni Kanaki, Head of Byzantine & Post-Byzantine Antiquities at the Heraklion Ephorate.
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8:00 PM – Main Square, Kastelli: Tribute to author and journalist Nikos Psilakis (Part 1)
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Talk: “Cretan Diet and the School Environment” by Prof. George Fragkiadakis
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Byzantine cuisine workshop (Kastamonitsa Cultural Association)
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Poetry reading of Psilakis’ works by Marina Spanaki, with music by Dimitris Sgouros
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Parallel events:
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Local product exhibition (cheese, honey, herbs, olive oil, wine, charcuterie)
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Display of Psilakis’ published works at the Sakorrafeio Municipal Library
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Sophocles’ Electra at Technopolis Theater
Performances: August 10 & 11
Directed by Dimitris Tarlow | Sets & Costumes by Paris Mexis
Banana Festival – Sunday Events
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8:30 PM – Shadow puppet theater: “Karagiozis’ Misadventures” by the Svoura troupe
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11:00 PM – Tribute concert: “Once Upon a Time… Rosa”, featuring music by Nikos Xylouris and Dimitris Mitropanos. Performers: Pavlos Melis-Kallitsounakis, Valentina Anastasopoulou & orchestra
Michalis Fragkiadakis in Concert – Bethlehem Gate, Heraklion
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9:00 PM | Free Admission
A concert featuring compositions by Michalis and Antonis Fragkiadakis
Performers: -
Despina Aspra (vocals, guitar)
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Stratis Fragkiadakis (lute)
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Nikos Doxastakis (percussion)
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Katerina Panagiotaki (cajón)
Rita Antonopoulou Sings Mikis – “Kazantzakis” Garden Theater
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9:00 PM | Commemorating 100 Years Since Mikis Theodorakis’ Birth
Joined by Giannis Dionysiou, Violeta Ikari & Giorgos Nikiforos Zervakis, the concert presents a selection of Theodorakis’ most iconic works.
Musical direction: Giannis Papazachariakis. Works featured span Axion Esti, Mauthausen, Beautiful City, Epiphany, and others, set to poetry by Elytis, Seferis, Ritsos, Gatsos, and more.
Traditional Festival in Mochos – “Memories & Heritage”
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9:00 PM | Former Community Square of Mochos
The “1st Festival for the Promotion of Cultural Heritage” wraps up with a genuine Cretan celebration. Locals invite guests to join them with the phrase: “Grab your stool and come—let’s celebrate together!” Expect live traditional music, dancing, and village specialties. Free entry.
Tribute to Vassilis Tsitsanis – Hadjidakis Garden Theater
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9:00 PM | Entry: €5
The Heraklion Music School Alumni Association hosts a concert honoring legendary composer Vassilis Tsitsanis. Supported by the Municipality of Heraklion.
Monday, August 12, 2025
Vassilis Xylouris – Summer Concert
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9:00 PM | “Manos Hadjidakis” Garden Theater, Heraklion | Free Admission
Cretan musician Vassilis Xylouris and fellow performers promise a moving night of musical storytelling.
Guest artists: Nikos Vlatas, Maria Koti, Kostas Markakis, Dora Mela, Nikos Paraoulakis, Giannis Charkoutsis
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Live with Nikos Zoidakis – Istron, Lasithi
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9:00 PM | Kalos Chorios Stadium, near Agios Nikolaos
A lively night of Cretan music featuring beloved singer Nikos Zoidakis.
Entry: €8 – Proceeds support the local sports club “Pyrgos”
Contact: +30 6972 281370