Two national cultural festivals are been held in Halkidiki, that of Kassandra and the so-called Sani Festival. There are also more than 60 other events and festivals which take place in Halkidiki every summer making each day special and unique.

In the traditional fish villages of Olympiada and Nea Moudania there is the clam festival at the beginning of July, as well as the sardine festival at the end of July with traditional evenings.

In September the festival of mushroom in the mountain village of Taxiarhis with mushroom pies, as well as the olive festival in Olynthos, the festival of Prophet Helias (20 July) and the great festival of Agios (Saint) Mamas every September, not to mention all the cultural events that take place in Afitos throughout summer.

 

TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

January

•1st of January - New Year’s festival in each settlement.

•6th of January - (“Theofania” - Epiphany) A splendid public celebration in every coastal settlement. People used to submerge the Holy Cross and jump to the sea in order to find it.

•6th -7th of January - The traditional custom of Camille and Bride takes place in Galatista.

•30th of January - The celebration of the Three Bishops is celebrated in every settlement.

•Carnival - Kathara Monday Traditional carnivals, masked balls, kites, etc. Also, events with reenactment of Dionysian customs. In Polygyros people celebrate the Katsamaka, a masked festival that lasts many days. On Sunday of Tyrofagos (Great Carnival) you can enjoy the carnival marching offered by the Municipality. There, you can enjoy local wines and food.

•The celebration of Agios (Saint) Theodoros (1st Saturday of Lent)

•A nice traditional feast is held in Agios Nikolaos, which is located in the bay of Panagia (Virgin Mary).

March

•1st of March - In many villages people celebrate the “Helidonismata” (the coming of swallows), which is supposed to be the starting point of Spring.

•25th of March - The Evangelism of Virgin Mary (Lady Day) is the national celebration of freedom and is celebrated in every settlement. Special feast in Ormylia.

•Saturday of Lazaros Many villages celebrate this day with the so-called “Lazarines”.

•Easter - Easter is a significant period celebrated in every settlement with special pomp and circumstance. Lots of folklore events take place during that period, such as the rotation of the Epitaph in the evening of Holy Friday, Christ’s resurrection at the midnight of Saturday, not to mention the fun people have on the Easter Sunday by cooking lambs on the spit, dancing traditional dances and attending to local concerts.

•Tuesday after Easter Sunday In Ierissos people dance the “Mavronios” dance, whereas in Arnaia people enjoy the game with eggs.

April

•23rd of April -  (Agios Georgios celebration) In Arnaia people entertain themselves in the central square of the village, whereas in Olynthos, Paliouri and Kalandra people enjoy the traditional festival.

May

•1st of May The 1st of May is celebrated everywhere as the first day of Spring. People make wreaths of flowers, they sing and dance.

•21st of May (Agios Konstantinos and Helen celebration) Traditional festival in Ouranoupoli, in Hanioti.

•Pentecost - Agio Pneyma (Holy Spirit) This day is celebrated with nice traditional festivals and events in Neos Marmaras, in Sykia and Kalandra.

June

•24th of June (Agios Ioannis celebration) Solstice in Klidonas. At night people light fires in Polygyros and have fun with traditional dances and songs.

•29th of June (Apostle Petros and Paylos celebration - Saint Paul and Peter celebration) Impressive folklore religious feasts in Ormylia and Nea Fokea.

•July - August ÔA lot of folklore events and traditional feasts are held during these two months in all tourist centres of Halkidiki. In particular, in Moudania people enjoy the sardine festival with folklore events and a lot of fun.

July

•20th of July (Prophet Helias celebration) Traditional festival in Ierissos with free food and wine. In Vavdos people celebrate “ta kazania tou Ai-Ilia” (the caldrons of Prophet Helias) with free food and wine. Traditional festival in Polygyros and Petralona too.

•26-27th of July (Agia Paraskevi- Panteleimonas celebration) Religious feast in Arnaia and folklore festival with several events, textile exhibition and other forms of folklore art. Traditional festivals in the church of Agia Paraskevi in Kassandra, in Agios Nikolaos, Galatista, Neos Marmaras (Partheniona), Nikiti, Nea Triglia, Kallithea and Kryopigi.

•Last Sunday of July Cross swimming in Toronaios (24km) from Kallithea to Nikiti. Free swimming athletic event with great attention of swimmers. Also, folklore dance in the beach of Nikiti at night.

August

•6th of August Traditional festival in Metamorfosi, in the church of Agios Pavlos.

•15th of August The great feast of Virgin Mary is celebrated with pomp and circumstance in every place of Halkidiki (bear in mind that in Mount Athos people celebrate that day according to the old calendar).

•Traditional festivals in Megali Panagia, Polygyros, Sarti, Portaria, Athytos, Kaladra, Nea Triglia, Lakoma, Krini, Kryopigi, Paliouri.

•23rd of August Traditional festivals in Potidea, Kalandra, Nea Roda, Nea Skioni.

•29th of August (Agios Prodromos celebration) Festival in Neos Marmaras, Agia Paraskevi.

September

•September Weekly traditional feast with a public market in Agios Mamantas. The celebration of “Tune fishing” in Neos Marmaras with folklore events.

•8th of September (Panagia celebration - Virgin’s Feast Day)

•Traditional feasts in Moudania (Panagia Koryfini), in Ierissos, in Pyrgadikia, in Kassandria, in Polychrono.

•15th of September Impressive traditional feast in Nikiti, which lasts three days.

October

•18th of October Anniversary of the liberation of Polygyros (1912).

•26th of October Agios Dimitrios celebration.

•28th of October National celebration, anniversary of liberation.

November

•14th of November Anniversary of Holocaust of Kassandra (Potidea).

December

•6th of December People celebrate the remembrance of Agios Nikolaos.

• 25th of December The Nativity is celebrated in every place with pomp and circumstance.

•26th of December In Ierissos people slaughter a pig and then follows dinner with folklore festival.

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