CULTURE
In a place with such an important historical background, it goes without saying that there will be a plethora of significant cultural activities, which bridge the gaps of communication between the tourists and its people. So far, two national cultural festivals have been held in Halkidiki, that of Kassandra and the so-called Sani Festival. Moreover, Halkidiki provides a well-established cultural background in jazz music. Finally, more than 60 events and festivals take place in Halkidiki every summer, thus making each day special and unique.
In the traditional fish villages of Olympiada and Nea Moudania you have the chance to celebrate together with fishmen the clam festival at the beginning of July, as well as the sardine festival at the end of July and enjoy traditional evenings.
And don’t forget in September the festival of mushroom in the mountainous Taxiarchi with the so-called 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 Afytos throughout summer.
ALTERNATIVE HALKIDIKI
With the support of hotel businesses and local society, Halkidiki has developed a number of alternative forms of tourism and entertainment offering several sport and entertainment facilities for those who love life and activity, body and mind. Some of these forms are the following:
Dive, sailing, wind surfing, game fishing, golf, mountain biking, tennis and bird watching, spa, walking excursions (20 routes in total with special mapping out and signaling), tourism in the mountains.
And don’t forget the cross swimming of Toronaios Gulf from Kassandra to Nikiti attracting international entries, as well as the famous rally of Halkidiki.
TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Some of the most important folklore festivals and events in Halkidiki are the following:
1st of January
New Year’s festival in each settlement.
6th of January (“Theofania” – Epiphany)
A splendid public celebration in every coastal settlement. People use 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 (Bank holiday)
Traditional carnivals, masked balls, kites, etc. Also, events with reenactment of Dionysian customs. In Polygyros people celebrate theKatsamaka, 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).
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.
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.
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.
24th of June (Agios Ioannis celebration)
Solstice in Klidonas. At night people light fires in Polygyros and have fun with traditional dances and songs.
In Potidaia people enjoy the feast.
29th of June (Apostle Petros and Paylos celebration – Saint Paul and Peter celebration)
Impressive folklore religious feasts in Ormylia and Nea Fokea.
July – August
ΤA lot of folklore events and traditional feasts are held during these two months in all tourist centers of Halkidiki. In particular, in Moudania people enjoy the sardine festival with folklore events and a lot of fun.
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.
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
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.
18th of October
Anniversary of the liberation of Polygyros (1912).
26th of October
Agios Dimitrios celebration.
28th of October
National celebration, anniversary of liberation.
14th of November
Anniversary of Holocaust of Kassandra (Potidea).
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.
