🇬🇷 Top 10 unusual festivals in Crete
The island of Crete is famous not only for its myths and ancient history, but also for its festivals that annually attract thousands of tourists. We talk about the most interesting and vibrant holidays that you can see throughout the year.
Potato Festival (Tsermiado)
Just an hour's drive from Heraklion, you will find yourself in the small village of Tsermiado. Only 630 people live in it. Why did she become famous throughout Greece? A three-day potato festival takes place here at the end of August every year!
The village is located in the center of the agricultural part of eastern Crete. The local climate and close location to the mountains allow farmers to grow fruits and vegetables all year round and make money from it.
Festival guests can try local food and drinks, watch traditional dances and listen to folk music. Many tourists come here for the competition for the largest potato. By the way, just 10 kilometers from Tsermiado is the Diktean Cave, in which, according to legend, Zeus himself was born.
Even if you don’t have time to make it to the festival, we still recommend coming to this region. Be sure to visit the ruins of ancient windmills, ask the locals about the medicinal herbs that grow in the mountainous areas. Stop by a small cafe and order dishes made from local ingredients. If you do end up at the festival, keep your phone ready to capture every moment.
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Ceramics Festival (Frapsano)
In mid-July, the village of Frapsano becomes a ceramic mecca throughout Greece. This region has been famous for the art of pottery since the times of the Minoan civilization. From generation to generation, craftsmen pass on the secrets of making pots, vessels and vases, which require a special approach and jewelry precision.
By the way, if you are vacationing in Heraklion, the path to Frapsano takes only 30 kilometers. All tourists can choose and buy any products at the exhibition of local potters. Just imagine how many impressions a souvenir will give, the secrets of its creation have been kept for several centuries.
If you want to not only watch, but also feel like a real ceramist, the festival program includes master classes on making products. This leisure activity will appeal not only to adults, but also to children, so we recommend planning a family trip to Frapsano in mid-July.
Busy days and bright evenings with welcoming Cretan feasts will not disappoint you one bit. We advise you to combine business with pleasure and add a visit to the Knossos Palace and the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion to your trip program.
Beach Festival (Matala)
The ideas of the hippie movement successfully reached Crete. The Matala Beach Festival is a “Woodstock” on a national scale. Every year at the end of June, visitors to Crete and local residents come to this southern village to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of love and peace.
At this time, Matala became a real hippie capital. Everyone can have fun listening to the songs of Bob Marley and John Lennon, listen to the performances of groups that come to Crete to participate in the festival, and sing along with them. During the festival, the organizers do not ignore the unique culture of the region, its literature, music, painting and street art. The streets are filled with a festive atmosphere and the sounds of the main hits of hippie culture.
Do you know what you need to bring from such a trip? Of course, baubles! Choose one or more bracelets as a gift for yourself and your loved ones at the craft fair. Walk among the colorful rows and exchange contacts with like-minded people. By the way, 50-60 years ago all adherents of the hippie ideology gathered in the village of Matala to do everything that has now grown into an independent festival.
Music Festival (Hudetsi)
This traditional music festival takes place annually in August. The village of Khudetsi is located just 23 kilometers from Heraklion. The most famous musicians of Crete come to this small village to perform folklore compositions that have been passed down by their ancestors from generation to generation. The main musical instrument of the festival is the three-string lyre, which annually attracts about 15,000 people from all over the world.
Along with musical performances, the organizers also pay attention to exhibitions of products from local craftsmen and farmers. By the way, would you like to buy honey, wine or olive oil as a souvenir? Locally produced products meet all quality and taste requirements.
We saved the best news for last: all festival events in Hudetsi are absolutely free. Therefore, tourists with any budget can afford such a trip.
Rock Festival (Chania)
Rock fans, pay attention to this event. You can get here just during your July vacation in Crete. This is the largest festival of this format on the island.
The musical event itself takes place in the ruins of the Bastion of San Salvatore in the center of the old city. This is a great opportunity to rock out to the sounds of metal and explore the local sights. By the way, this festival perfectly breaks the stereotypes that a holiday in Crete is a leisurely and measured period in an atmosphere of complete calm. Ready to turn up the volume?
The first forum was held in 2002, and guests of the festival include both local bands and international stars. Over the years, Bonfire, Sabaton, WASP, and Paradise Lost performed here.
Renaissance Festival (Rethymnon)
This festival has been taking place in Rethymnon for 36 years. The local municipality is the organizer and main sponsor of the holiday. Rethymnon developed thanks to the literature and architecture of the Renaissance, so local authorities spare no effort and resources to glorify its history and culture.
The festival takes place annually in July and August. It attracts culture lovers from all over the world due to its vibrant program, luxurious decorations and colorful images. This large-scale event harmoniously combines literature and music, painting and cinema, architecture and cinema.
Thousands of creative people come to Rethymnon every year to perform in theatrical productions, present dance compositions and artistic works to the audience. The festival's stages regularly feature works by world-famous authors, including Shakespeare and Moliere.
By the way, almost all events take place in the Erofili Theater, which is located in the Venetian Fortezza fortress. Just imagine walking along a centuries-old fortress, exploring every corner of the old city and ending the day with a theatrical performance in an ancient theater. This is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the history of the region and join the culture of the Renaissance.
Carnival (Rethymno)
The carnival in Rethymnon is one of the brightest and most spectacular holidays on the entire island. We don’t even know what will surprise you more: the carnival in Rethymnon or Rio de Janeiro.
It is held annually in February or March, taking into account Easter Day. Even city dwellers lose track of time and forget about the numbers on the calendar, because they spend all their free time in their favorite cafes and on the streets of the city.
The festival program is equally suitable for both adults and children. Little guests with great enthusiasm join in the “Race for Ancient Treasures”. Adults dress in pre-prepared outfits, dance and participate in traditional mass celebrations. A mandatory part of the festival is to sing traditional cantada serenades with all your heart.
The festival ends with a big parade on the last Sunday and the burning of an effigy of the King on one of the beaches.
Tsikoudya/Raki Festival
Tsikoudya, or raki, is a local moonshine that is still prepared in home stills. Residents of Crete do not deviate from the traditional recipe of the drink even in 2023. Locals call this festival “Kazanemata” or “Rakokazana”. Let us remember that a cauldron is a cauldron in which the drink is prepared.
The festival takes place from October to December and for the inhabitants of the island it has not only cultural, but also religious significance. Crayfish are cooked from grape must, and large-scale celebrations are held around the cauldrons. In each city, around a huge vessel, the owner and his guests revive ancient customs and traditions. After this, everyone will enjoy a feast with local products, national dishes and, of course, the freshest and most delicious raki.
Wine Festival (Rethymno)
Despite the popularity of raki, local residents consider wine to be the national drink. Not a single celebration or feast is complete without this drink. Every summer, the cities of Crete host wine festivals of various sizes, the largest of which is the July festival in Rethymnon.
For several decades, all lovers of this drink have been coming to the city park to thoroughly enjoy its tastes and aromas. Anyone can taste the wine. During the holiday, local authorities set prices for entertainment areas and children's attractions. This is a great opportunity to listen to national music and take a break from daily routine. By the way, the organizers treat visitors to wine absolutely free of charge.
We recommend trying both spirits and standard red/white wines to take home a few bottles as souvenirs.
Chestnut Festival (Elos)
This festival takes place annually in the village of Elos in October. Elos is located near the picturesque town of Kissamos in the west of the island. Plantations of chestnut trees and a bountiful harvest gave local residents the idea of creating a unique festival.
Festival guests can see chestnut products and enjoy the taste of traditional dishes. Yes, yes, recipes with chestnuts are popular not only in France, but also in Crete. The organizers also do not forget about the entertainment part: theater artists and musicians perform for the audience.
In addition to baked and fried chestnuts, the chefs cook meat on coals, traditional snacks and serve red wine, which perfectly brings out the taste of the main dishes.
This is a great opportunity to spend a weekend, learn more about the culture and traditions of Crete, meet people who devote their lives to growing chestnuts, and try unusual dishes.