Corfu Events and Festivals

(Corfu, Ionian Islands, Greece)

There are many significant festivals during Corfu's calendar of events, a large proportion of which are traditional and religious. Other island's festivals are targeted more at the summer tourists and popular things to do at this time of the year on Crete include open-air concerts, beach parties and a truly legendary nightlife, which appeals to the younger generation of visitors.

Seasonal festivals are always popular and many take full advantage of the island's beautiful coastal scenery, being held around the main beach resorts, such as Corfu Town itself (Kerkyra), Agios Georgios and Pelekas. In particular, the mountain village of Agios Mattheos has become known for its outstanding night-long celebrations on August 6th, which should simply not be missed under any circumstances, while the February carnival season is also outstanding.

Corfu Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

The Greek Orthodox celebrations at Easter time are always cause for much excitement and frivolity on Corfu, with marching bands and bright-red decorations at the time of the 'Early Resurrection'. Each of the island's village usually hold one or more 'Paniyiri' festivals during the year, where the whole community comes together to party. Paniyiris are held at the villages and towns of Gimari, Lafki, Pantokratoros and Strinilas, and these events tend to be very family orientated.

During the summer season, the philharmonic band at Corfu Town becomes a particular attraction for many visitors and Corfiotes, with regular weekend concerts being performed at the Spianada Green gazebo. Also popular and held during the month of July is island's very popular cricket season, a historical event where cricket matches having been held on the Esplanade in Corfu Town for almost 200 years.

If you are in Loustri (near to Agni Bay) on September 1st and feeling a little peckish, then the Pie Festival is sure to be one for you, with tavernas baking a huge number of local pies (pitas). Other noteworthy events of Corfu include:

• Cheese-Eating Sunday - mid-February, in central Corfu Town
• All Saints Day - June 3rd, around Agii Douli
• Saint Kyriaki Day - July 7th, in Peroulades
• Festival of Folklore Dance - mid-July, in Benitses
• Festival of Saint Paraskevi - July 26th, in Velonades
• Corfu Sardine Festival - mid-August, in Benitses
• Varkarola Music Festival - mid-August, at Paleokastritsa
• Return of the Virgin from Assumption - August 22nd and August 23rd, at Agraphi
• Revolution Processions - late October, throughout the Ionian islands
• Corfu St. Spyridon Celebrations - early November