Santorini Events and Festivals

(Santorini, Cyclades, Greece)

There are lots of very different things to do all around Santorini, with the greatest selection of festivals taking place during the summer months. Renowned throughout Greece is the Santorini Jazz Festival in Kamari, some 10 km / 6 miles from Fira, which lasts for three days in July and includes performance by both Greek and international musicians - something not to be missed under any circumstances.

Other festivals tend to be of a more religious nature, such as the Greek Orthodox celebrations during Easter, and the various seasonal Feast Days throughout the island itself. Of these particular events, the most notable fall in September and are held in Oia (8th), Perissa (14th) and then in Fira (17th).

Santorini Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

Each of the many different churches spread around the island of Santorini have their very own celebrations relating to their patron saints, and if you are around on one of these day, expect to find market stalls, Greek dancing and music, and plenty of food and wine to go around. These festivals include the Profitis Ilias, which takes place annuals on July 20 in Fira, and in Akrotiri, both the Metamorfosi Sotiros celebrations and the Feast of the Virgin Mary in August.

Also staged during the month of August is the Santorini Ifaisteia Festival, where various cultural events come together, culminating in a dramatic fireworks display at the end of the day. August 15th sees the arrival of the Festival of Episkopi, which allows participants to enjoy a traditional Greek 'fava' dish in the small village of Mesa Gonia. During the middle of August, the Kamari Sea Feast is very another Santorini event to add to your itinerary and is based around Kamari Beach and the village of Episkopi.

Come September, the Santorini International Music Festival offers holiday makers a chance to enjoy some international groups, which come here to play at Fira's Petros M. Nomikos Conference Centre. This event lasts just over two weeks and sees some very high attendance figures during that time.