Festivals and holidays on Crete (early-summer)

Travelers often try to visit some local festivals and holydays.

If you don’t have any interest in standard types of relaxation like pleasures of beach or sightseeing, then event-based tourism is for you.

By this publication, we open a column devoted to the nearest events – holidays and festivals on Crete.

The end of the tourist season does not mean the end of holidays and festivals on Crete. Greeks love holydays and are happy to get together to celebrate an event. Therefore, do not miss opportunities and follow this column in our periodical digest the New Crete or on our site thenewcrete.ru

 

31.05.2017-29.06.2017

“B.I.G. Party Ierapetra Experience”

The biggest beach party, the so-called “B.I.G. Party Ierapetra Experience” will take place in Ierapetra on Crete. It will be also held some sport events, such as: tournament 5×5 (beach football) in Pahia Ammos and Myrtos, beach volleyball on the beach of Kato Paralia in Ierapetra.

If you find yourself near   Iero Alsos of Kavousi  in June do not miss the following:

• A) Half Marathon 11 mi trail running;
• B) “Ancient Olive Road” run 55 mi;
• C) 437,45 yds road run for primary school children;
• D) A 28 mi cycle ride in the Thripti mountains
• E) Long distance hike 17 mi;
• F) Short distance hike.

16.06.2017 – 18.06.2017

Matala Beach Festival

This annual music festival gathers musicians on Crete from all over the world as well as music lovers and followers of the hippie idea. You can read more detailed information about the festival in the 12^th issue of the TheNewCrete.

 

01.06.2017 – 30.08.2017

“Kornaria” Festival in Sitia

 

This is a number of cultural events in the town of Sitia, which begin in early June and last until late August. It is a well-established custom with very wide resonance. It also includes music, theatre and dancing events as well as painting, photography and sports events, such as beach volleyball (athletes from all over Greece gather for these competitions).

 

 

 

03.06.2017- 20.06.2017

The second festival of sand sculptures on Crete

For the second consecutive year, this festival was launched on the beach in Ammoudara (Xiropotamos, Heraklion) on Crete. It’s organized by the municipal authorities of Malevezi, held under the auspices of the Greek National Tourist Organisation and carried out with the support of the region of Crete. The festival’s theme for this year is “Summer Vacation” as well as “Clean Water, Clean Beaches”.

Sculptures, reaching up to 10 feet in height, are aimed to impress the visitors, from adults to children.

Anyone can take part in the festival – children and adults who can create their sand figures on the beach. Entry and participation are free of charge.

As foreign participators in this event, unique for Greece and rare in Europe, are gests from Ukraine – sculptors Yuri and Lyudmila Misko.

 

Source: https://rua.gr/events/21537-vtoroj-festival-peschanykh-skulptur-na-krite.html

09.06.2017 – 30.09.2017

The first Mediterranean photo festival “Medphoto” in Rethymnon

The photo festival “Medfoto” started in early June. In collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete, this is an initiative of photographer Pavlos Fysakis aiming to show the new ideas in the field of photography. The theme of this year’s festival is “Borders/Crossroads”. The festival will also review the issue of Greek areas, affected by crisis, as well as highlight the symbolic, subjective and existential ideas of the borders.

This event will take place in the form of exhibitions, presentations, open discussions and seminars being finalized with publications, and international awards for photographers. Events of the festival can be viewed on the website medphoto.gr

 

22.06.2017-25.06.2017

Musical Festival Casa dei Mezzo

Taking place in the village of Makrigialos, in the area of Ierapetra, this summer music festival of classical music is a unique one on Crete with participation of honored international artists.

For more detailed information: http://www.casadeimezzo.com/

 

24.06.2017

Custom of “Klidonas” on the day of St.John in Panormo

On the initiative of the Municipalities of the island, every year, it is celebrated the custom of “Klidonas” on June 24, on the day of St.John.

According to an ancient tradition, all residents must jump through the large fire burning at the central square. The ceremony is related to fortune-telling for unmarried and luck for others. On this day, various venues, musical and dance performances are held to revive this old tradition.

 

25.06.2017 – 02.07.2017

International festival-competition of children’s and youth creativity “SILVER DOLPHIN” in Rethymnon

 The objectivities of the festival are the discovery of most gifted, talented young performers and their presentation to the international audience, the popularization of children’s and youth creativity, the familiarity of participants with the historical, cultural and natural attractions of Greece as well as the exchange of creative achievements.

To participate in the festival, please contact the tour agency LGM-Tour

http://www.lgm-tour.ru/programs/?prelid=176

 

26.06.2017-02.07.2017

Sea Week in Sitia

Every second year, this festival is held in Sitia by the Navy’s Chief Staff and the Coast Guard Service. During it, there are lectures, music and dance events as well as some marine competitions.

 

30.06.2017 – 01.07.2017

Rock festival in Chania

At the height of the summer season, this festival shakes the western coast of Crete with the sounds of selected performers of Hard Rock and heavy metal.

Popular relaxing resorts of Greece are usually famous for their measured organization of rest with a complete immersion in the idyllic expanses of the Mediterranean nature. In many ways, they broke with this established stereotype by holding this music festival in the second largest city of Crete. The Rock festival in Chania is the main forum for fans of heavy rock in Greece and has collected thousands of music lovers since 2002 in the mid of one of the main attractions of the Old town in Chania.

http://travelcalendar.ru/rok-festival-v-hane

 

30.06.2017- 09.07.2017

42 Festival of Wine in Daphne

Less luxurious then usual, the second of most famous festivals dedicated to wine will be held in Daphne, where they make the most famous wine of Crete called “Malevizios”.

This festival aims to introduce local Cretan producers to visitors.

The festival is open daily 18.00-21.30. Various entertainments will be held at the central square of the village, and an exhibition of paintings, photographs and mosaics will be opened in the administration building of the village. By the evening, there will be performances of music and dance groups.