Summer Festivals in Kefalonia
The height of summer is a very special time in Kefalonia as many villages organise festivals to celebrate religious ceremonies and for everyone to socialise and have fun. There are many around the island and they are a unique experience and not to be missed.
July – Agia Efimia annual festival
There are celebrations in the village, including music and dancing that take place on the harbour. There is also a procession (usually accompanied by a local band) and a market with small stalls. There is a lovely atmosphere for this event.
July – Agia Paraskevi evening festivals
You will find in the villages on Poros, Lourdata, Troianata, Farkalata and Lixouri, evening festivals with music and food dedicated to Saint Friday.
July – The Kefalonian festival in Fragata
This was organized for the first time in 1996 for the promotion of Kefalonia Gastronomy. Here you have the opportunity to taste the traditional meat pie and other Kefalonian recipes. Traditional dancing and live music into the night.
August - Musical evening in Sami
A local band will perform Kantades (Serenades) of traditional Kefalonian folklore music with mandolins and guitars, they will sing about the Ionian Islands and the seas on Sami beach.
August – “Saristra Festival” at Palia Vlahata
This is a modern Greek music and art festival which takes place each year at Old Vlachata near Karavomilos, Sami. Old Vlachata was destroyed in the 1953 earthquake and now only the ruins of the pre-earthquake buildings remain. This is the setting for contemporary cultural art and live bands and DJ’s performing Greek rock, indie and dance music.
August – Traditional Kefalonia music in Argostoli
A local band will perform Kantades (Serenades) of traditional Kefalonian folklore music with mandolins and guitars, they will sing about the Ionian Islands and the seas. They will start from Kambanas Square (where the bell tower is) and continue through the Litostroto.
August – Colour festival at Lourdas Beach
There will be live DJ sets and bars set up along Lourdas Beach for the biggest beach party of the year. Many young locals from all across the island will attend for a night of dancing on the beach with colourful paints. Modern, popular dance and R&B music will be played until early hours of the morning.
August – Robola Festival at Valsamata
In the village of Valsamata near to the Saint Gerasimos Monastery is an annual wine festival organised by the Robola Cooperative. Here you can sample free wine, enjoy traditional Greek appetizers and enjoy live music and dancing during the evening and into the night.
August – Mantzavinata Wine Festival (near Lixouri)
Live music, wine and dancing.
August – Assumption Day, the festival of the Virgin Mary
Each year, during the religious service in the village of Markopoulos which is on the road to Poros, small snakes with black crosses on their heads appear near the church with the bell tower. Legend says that when the village was invaded by the pirates of Barbarossa, the terrified nuns prayed to the Virgin Mary to help them to avoid capture. Their prayers were answered and they were turned into snakes to escape and scare off the pirates! There will be a small feast during the evening to celebrate this event.
August – Saint Gerasimos Evening Event
The religious ceremony celebrating the Name Day of the island’s Patron Saint takes place this evening and is also the biggest celebration of the year for Kefalonians. Pilgrims from all over Greece travel to St. Gerasimos Monastery to receive a blessing from the Saint, by kissing the feet of his mummified remains. There is also a lively street market and Greek food for sale.
August – Saint Gerasimos Day Parade
During the parade, the body of Saint Gerasimos is taken along the street connecting the Saint Gerasimos Nunnery and the Monastery. The Greek people believe that if they let his body pass over them they will be cured of all illnesses. The street market is also open throughout the day.
August – “Shut the Sails” at Argostoli bridge
A live band will play on a wooden boat the “Queen Bee” and you can listen to the traditional sea themed music.
August – St Gerasimos festival in Skala
A live music and traditional dancing in Skala centre
August – Annual festival at Dilinata
At the courtyard of Dilinata which is a village on the main road from Argostoli to Agia Efimia, there will be a festival with lots of Greek foods, wine, dancing and traditional Greek music.
August – The Robola Wine Festival
In the village of Fragata, close to the Monastery, an annual wine festival takes place, where visitors can take part in some wine tasting, sample mouth-watering appetizers and enjoy live music during the evening and into the night.
August – Agios Kosmas celebration
A swimming race will take place in Assos bay at 12:30pm Friday and an all day festival on Saturday continuing into the night with candles in the sea, live music, food and drinks.
August – Festival of Virgin Mary of Loutriotissa in Sami
This festival includes a religious procession at the town’s monastery, followed by a big party featuring traditional music and modern Greek rock, dancing, food and wine. Visitors are welcome to join in with all the festivities. Please be advised that these days are very busy with commuters and a lot of traffic is to be expected.
There are many more small events in lots of different villages throughout the summer, ask your representative for more details.