Or maybe the question would be "which festival will steal your heart this year?". Will you dance to the rhythms of traditional folklore or get lost in the magic of classical music? Will you indulge in the flavours of Ionian cuisine or explore the more alternative art forms? Whatever you seek, one thing is certain: summer in the Ionian Islands is synonymous with celebration!
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Pali Ekei Music Festival - The music festival of Kefalonia
The Pali Ekei Music Festival was held last year (2024) for the second consecutive year in Lixouri, Kefalonia, offering two days full of music and unique experiences. The festival hosted different events in two distinct locations. Its name, inspired by the area of Paliki, reflects the local identity and the particular natural beauty of the island.
From a beach party... to a big festival
The history of the festival began in 2008, when a group of seven friends organized their first impromptu beach party, Amnesia The Party, on a beach in Lixouri. Over the years, the group eventually grew both in age and number of people, and their vision remained the same. The event evolved, changed locations and became the talk of the town, until in 2022 the Municipality of Lixouri entrusted them to organise a festival in the town's harbour - and it was a huge success.
Now, the same team has set the goal to establish it as the biggest festival of the Ionian Sea, a cultural reference point that will attract visitors from Greece and abroad.
Saristra Festival - The alternative festival where the past meets the present
The Saristra Festival was born in 2012 and since then it has been held every summer at the Old Vlahata of Sami, in Kefalonia. It was inspired by a group of locals who wanted to keep the history of the village alive, the festival breathes new life into a place that was completely destroyed by the 1953 earthquake.
Its name comes from the central square of the village, "Saristra", a place that used to be full of life, with residents who created their own stories there. Within minutes, the earthquake turned the village into ruins, leaving behind only memories. Today, the Saristra team is attempting to preserve this cultural heritage, turning the festival into a bridge between the old and the new.
A post-modern festival in the heart of summer
Saristra Festival is not just a musical event - it is a holistic experiential experience. In a setting where nature intertwines with ruins and art, the festival hosts:
- Concerts with contemporary artists
- Art installations & exhibitions
- Film screenings
- Workshops, yoga and discussions
- Tasting experiences with wine & cocktails
2nd Kefalonia Student Music Festival - "With Music... we sail!"
For the second year, the students of Kefalonia take to the stage and fill the space with music, rhythm and energy! The Student Music Festival returns on Thursday 13 March 2025, at 18:00, at the Municipal Theatre of Argostoli "The Kefalos", giving the opportunity to student choirs and musical ensembles to share their talent and love for music.
The organization belongs to the Kefalonia Secondary Education Directorate, with the support of the Municipality of Argostoli, and its purpose is to bring students closer to music, to enhance their creativity and to give them space to express themselves.
An afternoon full of notes, collaboration and musical discoveries, where the schools of Kefalonia meet through the power of music.
Kefalonia Gym Festival "Anna Pollatou" - 35 years of dance and gymnastics!
Get ready for the biggest dance and fitness celebration in Kefalonia! The Kefalonia Gym Festival "Anna Pollatou" is back with a vengeance, celebrating 35 years of movement, rhythm and smiles.
From 26 to 29 June 2025, the island will be filled with spectacular shows, impressive choreographies and endless fun for young and old alike. Every day is a unique experience, with activities that promise joy, excitement and unique moments!
Shapes festival - Electronic rhythms in Zakynthos
Shapes Festival returns to Zakynthos, bringing with it 9 days of music, dance and atmospheric parties in dreamy locations. From 17 to 25 August 2025, the festival will transform the island into a hotspot of the electronic scene, with daily beach parties, nightly events and an unforgettable boat party.
Lefkada International Folklore Festival - A celebration of cultures
The International Folklore Festival of Lefkada is an institution that has been uniting peoples and cultures for 62 years, through music and dance. Since its first edition in 1962, it has evolved into one of the most important traditional dance festivals in Greece, attracting groups from all over the world every year.
Purpose of the Festival
The festival is not just a dance event, but a bridge of friendship and peace between peoples. Through traditional dance, music and customs of different countries, the festival showcases cultural diversity and fosters mutual understanding and unity.
What it includes
Every year, bands from different countries present their traditional dances, filling the neighborhoods and squares of Lefkada with color, rhythm and energy. The event includes parades, concerts, music and dance performances and cultural exchanges that give visitors a unique experience of folk traditions from all over the world.
Ithaca Music Festival - Days full of music
The Ithaca Music Festival, known as "Days of Music", is a celebration of sounds and artistic expression, which aspires to become a benchmark for both visitors to the island and the residents of Ithaca.
The event gives a platform to artists from the whole spectrum of the Greek music scene, offering the audience a combination of traditional music and contemporary sounds. Whether it's established artists or up-and-coming names, the festival emphasizes artistic innovation and quality music.
Ithaca, with its idyllic landscape, is transformed into a place of musical exploration and creation. The festival offers a unique experience, where music and the natural beauty of the island become one.
3rd Ithaca Theatre Festival - The island turns into... a vast theatre stage
The Ithaca Theatre Festival is an annual institution that brings theatre to the forefront, filling the island of Odysseus with performances, competitions and educational activities.
During the festival, professional companies stage performances, while workshops, seminars and theatre lectures offer a deeper look into the world of the stage.
Each year the festival chooses a central theme. One of the previous editions, for example, focused on comedy as an antidote to decadence, highlighting the power of laughter as a means of expression and social commentary.
26th Corfu Folklore Festival - Tradition at its best!
The 26th Corfu Folklore Festival is coming on 21, 22 & 23 March 2025 at the Municipal Theatre of Corfu.
With traditional dances, music and spectacular performances, the festival continues to be one of the biggest cultural celebrations of the island. Dance groups, musicians and spectators will fill Corfu with rhythm and tradition in a three-day event dedicated to folk heritage!
14th Student Digital Creation Festival - Innovation in the hands of students
The 14th Student Digital Creation Festival returns to Corfu on 8 & 9 May 2025, hosting students from all over the Ionian Islands Region.
Through digital projects, original activities and educational presentations, the festival gives students, teachers and visitors the opportunity to get to know the world of Information Technology and Digital Technology.
The event will be held at the premises of the 4th General High School of Corfu, under the co-organization of the Regional Directorate of Education of the Ionian Islands and the P.E.KA.P. - Ionian Islands Branch.
ION Arts Festival - A meeting of contemporary creation in the Ionian Islands
The ION Arts Festival was born in order to highlight and support contemporary artistic creation in the Ionian Islands. It focuses on the work of Ionian creators, as well as artists and groups active in the region, offering a platform for expression and creative interaction.
The festival seeks to enhance cultural dialogue by inviting the community to actively participate in artistic activities. Through exhibitions, music and theatre performances, dance and other forms of contemporary art, it creates a space where artists can share their work, experiment and interact with the public.
The ION Arts Festival has already established itself as an institution that gives a platform to young and established artists. With the support of the Ministry of Culture, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Corfu and the Ionian University, it continues to develop, bringing to the fore the artistic identity of the Ionian Islands.
Corfu Food & Wine Festival - Flavours and history in the heart of Corfu
The Corfu Food & Wine Festival is a celebration of taste and culture, highlighting gastronomy as an integral part of the history and tradition of Corfu and the Ionian Islands.
It is organized at the beginning of the tourist season, aiming to establish Corfu as a gastronomic destination and contribute to the extension of the tourist season. The programme of the festival is rich and constantly enriched, including tasting events, collaborations with local producers and chefs, as well as cultural activities that link food with the tradition of the island.
A unique opportunity to experience the flavors of Corfu through an experience that combines history, hospitality and authentic cuisine!
18th Audiovisual Arts Festival - Art, Technology & Innovation in Corfu
The Audiovisual Arts Festival (AVfest) returns for its 18th year (8-18/5), bringing to Corfu a dynamic mix of contemporary sound and visual art. It is organized by the Department of Audio & Visual Arts in collaboration with the ERHMEE Laboratory of the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University.
The festival includes artistic events, workshops and academic conferences, offering a meeting place for creators, researchers and the public. With each edition, it expands its reach, acting as a platform for the exchange of ideas and experimentation in the world of audiovisual arts.
A unique festival that combines art, technology and innovation, turning Corfu into a reference point for contemporary creation!
PAXOS FESTIVAL
Paxos Music Festival - Papakaliatis vides ON
The Paxos Music Festival is one of the most important cultural institutions of the island, with a history dating back to 1986. Its founder was the English philosopher John Gough, who envisioned a festival dedicated to the promotion of young talent and the dissemination of quality music to the Paxos public.
Since its first edition, the festival has had a dual purpose: to provide talented Greek and foreign musicians with the opportunity to study and perform chamber music and, at the same time, to bring the local community in contact with a variety of musical sounds. John Gough not only organised and funded the festival until his death in 2006, but also set up the Paxos Festival Trust Ltd in England in 1987, ensuring the continuity of the festival.
After Gough, his close friend Nicholas Thompson took over, maintaining the quality and prestige of the festival. In its years of operation, the institution has hosted distinguished artists who are now prominent on the international music scene, such as Leonidas Kavakos (violin), Dionysis Vervitsiotis (violin), Christoforos Stamboglis (bass), Lefki Karpodini (piano), and many others.
Today, the Paxos Music Festival continues to be a reference point for the cultural and tourist life of the island, strengthening the local community and offering unique artistic experiences to both residents and visitors.
This festival was probably the inspiration for Christoforos Papakaliatis to create the riveting series "MAESTRO" which was filmed in Paxos.
Whether you are looking for cultural experiences that will take you back in time, or you want to experience the pulse of contemporary creation, the festivals of the Ionian Islands promise moments full of inspiration, colour and rhythm. All that's left is to choose which one will be your must-visit stop this year-or better yet, experience... all of them!
Note: All photos are taken from the official websites or social media accounts of the festivals.
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