Events
CHANIA
Some of the most important events that take place every year
January 6: Celebration of Theophany and Blessing of Waters by casting the Holy Cross into the water of the Venetian port of Chania, the port of Souda, Kalamaki, Agia Marina and Marathi beach.
February-March: “Inokritika” | Exhibition for the promotion and elevation of Cretan wines with parallel events of wine knowledge and wine tasting.
Carnival: Celebrated forty days before Easter. Carnival events in Chania, Souda and Akrotiri.
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.
April 23: The Feast of Ayios Yiorgios, St George, the patron saint of shepherds. Much feasting in many rural communities.
March-May: “Get familiar with my city and respect it: Journey into history, on backstreets, into memories and colours of Chania” | A free sightseeing tour in monuments and archaeological sites, organized by the Municipality of Chania.
May 15-30: Anniversary events for the “Battle of Crete” (memorial events to the fallen soldiers and civilians of the Battle / cultural events).
May 21: The Feast of Saints Constantine and Helena, celebrated in many churches and monasteries named after them, most notably the Arkadi Monastery.
June: “VENIZELIA” | International track & field meeting at the National Stadium of Chania.
May – September: Sports events in Nea Kydonia Municipal Unit of the Municipality of Chania that include: Beach Volley, Beach Soccer, Beach Handball and racket games.
July 15 – 30: Dance Days Festival | International modern dance festival in Chania with famous dancers and chorographers from Greece and many other countries.
July – August – September: Cultural Summer Events of the Municipality of Chania | They include music and stage performances at the theatre of Eastern Trench, Public Garden, Park of Peace and Friendship and other events in several Municipal Units and neighbourhoods of Chania.
August 1-10: Agricultural August | The successful exhibition of qualitative Cretan products and folk art at the Western Trench, organized by the Municipality of Chania.
September 1-10: Sardine festival | Sardine festival is being organized at the beach of Nea Chora by the municipality of Chania as well as various social and cultural institutions of Nea Chora, offering free sardines, wine, dance and music.
September 27: World Tourism Day | Festive events at the old port of Chania.
October: Tsikoudia festival | Dance and music events as well as revival of the traditional way of tsikoudia distillation at the Venetian Port of Chania.
October 15-21: European Local Democracy Week | Thematic events for local democracy knowledge improvement, as well as the idea promotion of democratic participation at a local level.
November: Raki Festival. the month of raki production, there is a raki festival in Chania Town, Loutraki Kydonias and Limni Platanias.
December 15-30: Christmas events in Chania.
December 31 –January 1: Festive welcome of the new year in the Municipal Market, organized by the Municipality of Chania.
