Crete

International cultural festival featuring folk music, dance performances, and traditional arts from multiple countries with workshops and cultural exchanges.

The 6th International Cultural Festival “FOLKWAY” returns to Crete from September 25 to 29, 2025, hosted by the Municipality of Hersonissos in the Heraklion region, with nightly performances, a traditional feast, and multi-country folk dance and music showcases that celebrate living heritage on Greece’s largest island. Confirmed dates, host city, and program outline are published by European and Greek festival platforms and the event’s organizing partners, with applications open to folk-dance ensembles, choirs, and orchestras from around the world under an officially supported cultural framework.

Dates, place, and format

• Dates: Thursday to Monday, September 25–29, 2025.
• Location: Hersonissos, Crete (Municipality of Hersonissos, Heraklion prefecture), with hotel base and stages in and around the resort town known for beaches and cultural venues.
• Format: Five days and four nights, including a welcome day, two festival performance evenings, a traditional feast with music, and free time for optional excursions around Crete’s historic and natural sites.

Who participates

The festival invites traditional folk-dance groups, choirs, and orchestras from all countries, with no age limit and limited total group slots to maintain program quality and diversity. Ensembles present up to 10 minutes of repertoire in traditional costume, accompanied live or by recorded orchestration, and march with national flags for a visible cultural exchange on stage and in town. Past editions have hosted 10 or more countries, a scale that ensures each night feels global while keeping performances focused and audience-friendly.

2025 program highlights

• Thursday, Sept 25: Arrivals and hotel check‑in after 14:00; evening at leisure and organizers’ briefing for participating groups.
• Friday, Sept 26: Free day for activities and excursions; 20:00 traditional feast with Greek and international folk music, food, and drinks; presentation of participation gifts and certificates.
• Saturday, Sept 27: Free morning and optional excursion; late-afternoon call; evening stage program with folk ensembles in national costumes; local organizations present gifts; post-show traditional tastings.
• Sunday, Sept 28: Free morning and optional excursion; late-afternoon call; second performance night; closing-stage exchanges and local tastings.
• Monday, Sept 29: Breakfast and group departures.

This outline matches official festival postings and partner portals, which list two primary performance evenings and a dedicated feast night interwoven with cultural hospitality and local treats after each show.

Organization and official backing

FOLKWAY is organized by Open Ways Events & Travel in official cooperation with the Municipality of Hersonissos and local cultural associations, providing permitting, venue support, and local partner engagement that elevate production quality and community participation. European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF) and allied festival directories list the 2025 edition with dates, location, and contact information, reinforcing the event’s visibility in international folklore circuits and confirming its 6th iteration on Crete.

Participation packages and costs

• Registration-only option: €35 per person for groups arranging their own accommodation.
• Full package options: From €205 per person in 3-star hotels with half board (breakfast and lunch) for 4 nights, or €325 per person in 4-star hotels with half board for 4 nights; every 25 participants receive one free place.
• Extras: Additional hotel nights available at €43 (3-star HB) or €72 (4-star HB) per person per night; optional excursions, medical insurance, and long-stay extensions are not included.
• Payment timeline: 10% guarantee fee on approval, 60% due by May 30, 2025, and remaining balance either 20 days prior or on arrival day per organizer instructions.

Packages include participation certificates, souvenirs, the communal feast with food and drink, hotel-to-venue transport for performance nights, and local hospitality gestures such as after-show tastings and gifts from host organizations.

What audiences will see

Expect an evening parade of cultures: precision circle dances, line formations, partner styles, and choral traditions delivered in richly embroidered costumes with live percussion and folk instruments where possible. Program curation prioritizes variety across regions so a single night might move from Balkan rhythms to Caucasus suites, from Mediterranean choral timbres to Anatolian or Central European folk patterns, with Cretan groups often anchoring the finale and inviting shared dances.

Why Hersonissos is a strong host

Hersonissos is 25 km from Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis), with quality hotels, easy beach access, nearby archaeological sites, and venues that fit both outdoor and indoor programming needs. It is a resort town that also sustains active cultural associations, making it well placed for a festival that blends performance nights with leisure, excursions, and community engagement. Festival listings from local tourism portals confirm the municipality’s role and the event window for 2025, ensuring travelers can plan accommodations and transfers confidently.

Travel tips for festival-goers

• Booking: For attendees not performing, book Hersonissos hotels early for Sept 25–29; the town’s walkability and bus connections to Heraklion make it a convenient cultural base.
• Getting there: Fly to Heraklion (HER), then transfer 25–30 minutes by taxi or pre‑arranged shuttle to Hersonissos; buses also run regularly to the resort corridor.
• What to pack: Lightweight evening wear for performances, comfortable shoes for promenade strolls, sun protection for daytime excursions, and a light layer for breezy nights by the sea.
• Sightseeing: Combine a performance night with a daytime visit to Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the nearby villages above Hersonissos for traditional cafés and craft stops.
• Dining: Explore seaside tavernas for Cretan specialties like dakos, boureki, fresh grilled fish, and local cheeses; pair with Crete’s white Vidiano or red Liatiko for a taste of the island’s emerging wine scene.

For participating ensembles

• Repertoire planning: Prepare two distinct 8–10 minute sets to fit back-to-back performance evenings; bring national flags and a brief group profile with photos and video links for festival promotion.
• Logistics: Align arrival schedules with Thursday afternoon check‑in; coordinate costume transport and instrument needs with the organizer in advance, and confirm any special staging or audio requests with the technical team at the on-site briefing.
• Cultural exchange: The Friday feast is designed for shared music and dance — bring a simple, inclusive dance or song to teach other groups and the audience for a memorable exchange.

What makes “FOLKWAY” distinct

Beyond the performance nights, the program’s traditional feast and post-show tastings embody Cretan filoxenia (hospitality), turning a standard festival schedule into a lived cultural exchange where visiting artists and local hosts break bread and swap songs. With official municipal partnership and a compact, beach-adjacent host city, FOLKWAY balances stage polish with human scale, inviting audiences and artists to meet, mingle, and make friends across borders.

Verified details at a glance

• Event: 6th International Cultural Festival “FOLKWAY”.
• Dates: Sept 25–29, 2025.
• Location: Hersonissos, Crete (Municipality of Hersonissos, Heraklion).
• Program: Two main performance nights, one traditional feast, free days for excursions, official hospitality and after‑show tastings.
• Participation: Open to folk dance groups, choirs, and orchestras; 10-minute sets in national costume; flags and group info requested.
• Packages: From €205 (3-star HB) or €325 (4-star HB) for 4 nights; €35 registration-only; “1 free per 25” offer; extra nights available.
• Backing: Organized by Open Ways Events & Travel with official municipal cooperation; listed by EAFF and regional portals with confirmed dates.

Whether traveling to Crete as a culture lover or joining with a folk ensemble, circle the dates and plan a long weekend around Hersonissos’ beaches, Heraklion’s museums, and two luminous evenings of music, costume, and dance. Reserve accommodation early, build a day trip to Knossos or a village taverna lunch between shows, and come ready to applaud artists from many countries as “FOLKWAY” turns Crete into a living stage of shared traditions.

Traditional autumn harvest celebration in mountain villages featuring roasted chestnuts, local wine, honey, raki, folk music, and dancing.

Chestnut Festival 2025 in Crete is a beloved autumn tradition centered around the chestnut groves of western Crete, with the biggest celebrations held in the Kissamos region’s mountain villages of Elos, Vlatos, and Limni. For 2025, trusted event roundups indicate a mid to late October window, with multiple sources pointing to the weekend of October 19–21 as the target timeframe, while emphasizing that exact dates are typically confirmed by the Municipality of Kissamos closer to the month based on harvest and weather conditions. Recent schedules from 2023 and 2024 show the Kissamos Chestnut Festival running as a three-day series that rotates venues across Limni, Vlatos, and Elos on a Friday–Sunday program in the last third of October, a pattern that informs planning for 2025.

What it is

The Chestnut Festival is a village-hosted celebration of the chestnut harvest. It blends live Cretan music, traditional dance, culinary demos, and tastings of roasted and boiled chestnuts, alongside an open-air market of local products and seasonal dishes. The heart of the festivities takes place in Elos’ square on Sunday, where the grand celebration features speeches, a rizitiko folk song performance, children’s theater, and an all-day glenti with bands and dance troupes, while Friday and Saturday events in Limni and Vlatos often focus on culinary workshops, documentary screenings, and intimate concerts. The free, community-led format welcomes both locals and visitors to share in the harvest and hospitality of the Inachori villages.

When it happens

• Seasonal window: Late October into early November, tied to the chestnut harvest; Crete event guides consistently note late October as the prime period, with dates announced close to the season.
• 2023–2024 pattern: The festival ran as a three-day program on Oct 27–29, 2023, and Oct 25–27, 2024, rotating through Vlatos, Limni, and Elos, which illustrates how organizers schedule a Friday–Sunday arc in the final third of October.
• 2025 outlook: Regional event listings flag Oct 19–21, 2025, as the expected weekend, with the standard caveat that the Municipality of Kissamos will finalize and publish the official program as harvest timing is confirmed.

Where to go

• Elos: Sunday’s grand celebration in Elos Square is the culmination, with roasted chestnuts, music, dance, and local food stretching through the afternoon; Elos sits inland from Kissamos on the scenic route toward Elafonisi.
• Vlatos: Often hosts Friday evening programming such as documentary screenings or intimate concerts at the parish center, setting a reflective tone before the weekend’s big feast.
• Limni: Typically the site of Saturday culinary demos such as “creative recipes with chestnuts,” tastings, and live music in the former primary school courtyard.
• Kissamos region: The festival is organized by the Municipality of Kissamos with village communities and cultural associations, and it is sometimes referred to as the “Inachori Chestnut Festival” after the broader area that encompasses these villages.

2025 program expectations

While the final 2025 schedule will publish in October, recent official programs provide a reliable blueprint:

• Friday evening: Opening event in Vlatos or Limni featuring a cultural documentary, followed by a small-scale concert.
• Saturday evening: Chef-led “creative chestnut recipes” demonstration with tasting, then a live music set and social dancing.
• Sunday from late morning: Grand celebration in Elos Square with welcome speeches, a short lecture on chestnut nutrition or heritage, rizitiko singing, children’s theater, and an all-day glenti with bands, dancing groups, local product market, and continuous roasted chestnut service.

Why it matters

The Chestnut Festival sustains a living rural tradition while supporting small producers. It shines a light on Cretan mountain culture and seasonal foods that are easy to miss on the coast. The weekend format invites slow travel: wander chestnut groves, linger over village meze, and join a circle dance as the band picks up. For Elos and the Inachori villages, the event brings families home and introduces visitors to the warmth, flavors, and music of western Crete’s highlands.

Travel planning

• Base in Kissamos or Chania: Kissamos offers a shorter drive to Elos, Vlatos, and Limni; Chania Old Town is a great coastal base with a 60–90 minute inland drive depending on the village.
• Driving: Roads to Elos are paved but winding; designate a sober driver if tasting wine or tsikoudia. Parking is in village lots or roadside areas near the squares; arrive early on Sunday.
• What to bring: Cash for stalls, a light jacket for mountain breezes, comfortable shoes for cobbled squares, and a reusable bag for local products.
• Pair with sights: Combine with a quiet morning at Elafonisi or Kedrodasos if weather allows, then head uphill for the afternoon celebration in Elos; autumn light in the chestnut groves is beautiful for photos.
• Lodging tip: Rural stays near Elos, Vlatos, or Milia Mountain Retreat make a memorable weekend and place travelers within a short drive of all three venues.

What to eat and drink

• Chestnuts: Roasted over braziers and passed out hot; look for boiled chestnuts, chestnut honey confections, and savory dishes like pork with chestnuts in village tavernas.
• Meze and sweets: Dakos, graviera, wild greens pies, and spoon sweets complement the tastings; local product tables stock olive oil, herbs, and cheeses.
• Drinks: House wine and tsikoudia flow, especially on Sunday; sip slowly and pair with food. Festival demos sometimes include creative pairings or modern chestnut recipes by visiting chefs.

Accessibility and atmosphere

Village streets become pedestrian-friendly social spaces during the festival. The atmosphere is family-first and intergenerational, with schoolchildren performing and elders leading dances. Visitors are welcomed as neighbors; a simple “efharistó” goes far at the tasting braziers. These are real community events rather than staged tourist shows, which is precisely their charm.

Verified details at a glance

• Event: Chestnut Festival, Kissamos region (Elos, Vlatos, Limni).
• 2025 target dates: Weekend window in mid to late October; listings indicate Oct 19–21 as expected, subject to official municipal confirmation.
• 2023–2024 precedent: Oct 27–29, 2023, and Oct 25–27, 2024, with Friday at Vlatos/Limni, Saturday at Limni/Vlatos, Sunday grand celebration at Elos.
• Highlights: Roasted chestnuts, culinary demos, live Cretan music, traditional dances, kids’ theater, and an open-air market of local products.
• Organizer: Municipality of Kissamos with the communities of Elos and Vlatos and cultural associations “Anagennisi” and “Neoi Orizontes,” plus Ennia Choria SA development company.

Mark the calendar for mid to late October and plan a weekend in western Crete’s chestnut country. Keep an eye on the Municipality of Kissamos announcements as the harvest nears, then head for Vlatos and Limni on Friday and Saturday nights before joining the grand feast in Elos on Sunday. Come hungry for roasted chestnuts, ready to dance to live lyra and laouto, and open to the neighborly warmth that makes this festival one of Crete’s sweetest fall traditions.

Athletic event starting from Arkalochori featuring half marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km races for adults, plus children's and disability races.

Crete Half Marathon 2025 takes place on Sunday, October 5, 2025, in Arkalochori, Heraklion, with a fast, village‑to‑village loop through olive groves and vineyards and a festival finish at the Arkalochori Exhibition Center that blends pure Greek racecraft with a Cretan cultural celebration after the awards ceremony. The 10th‑anniversary edition features the hallmark half marathon alongside 10 km, 5 km, and a 1 km kids’ run, plus prize money for the top three men and women and an afternoon “glenti” with music and local tastes that turns race day into a community party.

Date, place, and start times

• Date: Sunday, October 5, 2025.
• Host town: Arkalochori, 25 minutes from Heraklion (Crete), with start/finish at Arkalochori Exhibition Center (coordinates 35.1381, 25.2729).
• Gun times: 10 km at 8:50, Half Marathon at 9:10, 1 km at 9:15, 5 km at 12:10; awards at 13:10; traditional Cretan festivity at 13:40.

Distances and time limits

• Half Marathon: 21.097 km, limit 2:45.
• 10 km: limit 1:15.
• 5 km: limit 1:05.
• 1 km kids’ run: no time limit.

Course overview

• Half marathon: A circular route in central Crete that threads the villages of Minoa Pediada amidst vineyards and olive groves, with rolling terrain and classic countryside views before closing back at the Exhibition Center for a stadium‑style finish.
• 10 km: Out toward Houmeri with a u‑turn back to the finish.
• 5 km: A village loop entirely inside Arkalochori.

Registration, fees, and caps

• Registration window: Online through the official site; deadline September 15, 2025; edits and cancellations accepted until August 30.
• Early bird until Aug 29: Half Marathon €30, 10 km €29, 5 km €28; Late entry from Aug 30: Half €33, 10 km €32, 5 km €31.
• Entry caps: Half 1,100; 10 km 600; 5 km 2,800; 1 km 100 students; organizers note sellout about two weeks before race day in 2024, so early sign‑up is advised.

Packet pickup and timing

• Bib collection: Saturday, Oct 4, 11:00–18:00 at the event kiosk in Eleftherias Square, Heraklion; bring bib number and ID/passport.
• Timing: Official chip timing with checkpoints en route; downloadable finisher certificate after results validation.

What runners receive

• Half/10K/5K: Bib, timing chip, on‑course aid, finisher’s medal, a special handmade clay commemorative medal, official technical T‑shirt, official back‑bag, online certificate, and race photos.
• 1K kids: Bib, on‑course support, finisher medal, official T‑shirt.

Prize money and awards

• Overall Half Marathon: €1,100 for first man and first woman, €600 for second, €400 for third; category awards and bespoke winners’ cups also featured, reinforcing a competitive but celebratory atmosphere for the anniversary race.

Safety and medical

• Medical: Volunteer doctors, Hellenic Red Cross Samaritans, and two ambulances at the Exhibition Center; runners participate at their own responsibility and are advised to complete a pre‑race medical check; under‑18 participants require parental approval.

Why run Arkalochori

• Scenery and culture: The half marathon’s ring through villages gives a pure slice of Cretan rural life, and the finish‑line glenti delivers a signature island welcome with music, cheering locals, and post‑race celebration built into the schedule.
• Organization: A tight schedule, clear wave times, and a simple expo pickup in central Heraklion make logistics straightforward for travelers flying in for the weekend.
• Performance: Rolling but runnable; many runners target personal bests on the 10 km and 5 km, while the half’s countryside loop rewards steady pacing and smart fueling on the undulations between villages.

Training and pacing notes

• Terrain profile: Expect gentle rises and descents among olive groves; the toughest section is reported late in the half, so aim to negative split by opening a touch conservative through 10–15 km.
• Weather: Early October in Crete is warm and sunny; hydrate early and often, and take advantage of aid stations listed in the race guide.
• Music zones: Organizers and independent guides highlight musical spots along the half route to keep energy high through village sections, which helps runners lock into rhythm between water tables.

Travel logistics

• Getting there: Fly to Heraklion (HER). Arkalochori is about 25 minutes by car; many participants stay in Heraklion for packet pickup and drive in on race morning.
• Parking and access: Follow event signage to the Exhibition Center start/finish; arrive at least one hour before gun time per organizer guidance.
• Where to stay: Heraklion city for easy expo access and dining, or an Arkalochori/Peza countryside stay for a quieter pre‑race night; coastal bases like Hersonissos are also within driving range.

Weekend itinerary idea

• Saturday: Packet pickup in Heraklion, easy shake‑out along the Venetian Walls, early dinner with carb‑friendly Cretan dishes like rustic pasta, vegetables in olive oil, and grilled lean protein.
• Sunday: Race morning transfer, run, awards, and traditional festivity at the finish; afternoon recovery meal in a nearby village taverna.
• Monday: Wine country loop through Peza or Archanes, Knossos visit, and Heraklion Archaeological Museum before departure.

How to register and stay updated

• Official site: Event details, registration, and last‑minute updates are posted on cretehm.com, with the race info page consolidating start times, fees, caps, and packet pickup instructions.
• Race listings: Third‑party calendars confirm date and location for Oct 5, 2025, and summarize the course structure across all distances for travel planning and comparison.

Verified details at a glance

• When: Sunday, Oct 5, 2025.
• Where: Arkalochori, Heraklion, Crete; start/finish at Arkalochori Exhibition Center (35.1381, 25.2729).
• Starts: 10K 8:50, Half 9:10, 1K 9:15, 5K 12:10; awards 13:10; Cretan festivity 13:40.
• Fees: Early bird until Aug 29 — Half €30, 10K €29, 5K €28; late from Aug 30 — Half €33, 10K €32, 5K €31; deadline Sept 15.
• Caps: Half 1,100; 10K 600; 5K 2,800; 1K 100; prior sellout about two weeks before race day.
• Packet pickup: Sat, Oct 4, 11:00–18:00, Eleftherias Square, Heraklion.
• Prize purse: Half overall M/F — €1,100/€600/€400 for 1st/2nd/3rd.

Lace up for a run that captures Crete’s soul. Secure a bib before caps fill, book an easy hop into Heraklion, and get ready to race through vineyards and villages to a finish line where the medal is handmade and the celebration is pure Cretan hospitality. Head to cretehm.com to register, lock travel, and make October 5 a goal worth training for — with a finish you will never forget.

12th annual international film festival showcasing local and international cinema with screenings, workshops, and cultural events across the city.

Chania Film Festival 2025 returns to Crete as a two-week celebration of cinema, education, and community, confirmed to run in Chania in late October with official dates published by the festival and partner listings. The festival’s English homepage announces that the 13th edition will take place in Chania, Crete in October 2025, during the traditional late‑October window when CFF anchors the island’s cultural calendar with screenings, workshops, masterclasses, and school programs that draw tens of thousands each year. Independent event roundups align with that window and cite specific late‑October dates, reflecting CFF’s established slot at the end of the month, often stretching into early November with parallel activities and awards.

Dates and format

The festival confirms its 13th edition in October 2025 in Chania, maintaining the long‑standing pattern of an eleven‑day program spanning the last week of October and, in some editions, the first week of November, with competition sections for fiction, documentary, and animation alongside a robust education track. European festival directories characterize CFF as an annual autumn event that “takes place on the island of Crete, at the last week of October every year,” consolidating it as a dependable date for cinephiles planning fall travel to Greece. Local media listings also echo the late‑October window and promote CFF’s multi‑venue footprint and citywide footprint each year.

What to expect

• Screenings: An international selection of features, documentaries, and animation, programmed across multiple venues in Chania and accompanied by Q&As, panels, and curated sidebars that highlight new voices and regional stories.
• Competitions and awards: CFF hosts juried awards, including dedicated prizes such as the Film Clubs Association (OKLE) Award, “History and Culture of Crete” Award, “Right to Life” Award, and a Podcast Award, which focus attention on thematic excellence and innovation across forms.
• Learning and outreach: Beyond the main slate, CFF is recognized for year‑round educational initiatives; during the festival it presents workshops, masterclasses, and CFF Edu programs that serve schools and emerging filmmakers, contributing to audience development and industry literacy across Crete.

Submissions and selection

For 2025, the festival specifies a submissions window from February 1 to May 31, 2025, with eligibility for works produced in the last three years (2022–2025) and notifications by late July; entries are made exclusively online via the designated submissions portal. The programming team places films either as Official Selections or Nominations for the CFF Award, and retains flexibility to include works in on‑site or controlled‑access online screenings that expand audience reach while protecting rights. The festival’s regulations also note creator consent for promotional use of trailers and the possibility of future inclusion in CFF’s education initiatives, reflecting its mission to connect art and learning.

Scale and audience

CFF reports attendance of more than 22,000 viewers across its eleven‑day run, including a significant school audience that participates in dedicated programs and matinees, distinguishing CFF from purely industry‑facing festivals and strengthening its social impact in Crete. That public focus meshes with Chania’s city character: a walkable old town, easy distances between venues, and an engaged local audience that brings energy to premieres and conversations throughout the week.

Venues and city experience

Screenings and parallel events typically take place in central Chania venues, with festival activity clustered around the old town and harbor area, making it simple for visitors to combine films with strolls along the Venetian port and evenings at cafés and tavernas. The festival’s club and cine‑club activities underscore CFF’s year‑round presence, including curated series like “Attikon Screenings,” which frame the main event within a continuous conversation about cinema in the city. Accommodation guides for Chania highlight the convenience of staying within walking distance of Koum Kapi and Nea Chora beaches, placing festival‑goers close to both cinemas and the waterfront.

How 2025 fits in the Crete festival ecosystem

Chania’s late‑October film festival complements other Crete film and media events that bookend the season, including September’s Chaniartoon animation and comics festival in Chania and August’s Ierapetra documentary festivals in eastern Crete, making the island a multi‑stop destination for cinephiles and creators through late summer and fall. Public listings group CFF among Crete’s headline cultural fixtures for 2025, often referencing the same mid‑ to late‑October dates for planning purposes.

Planning a visit

• When to book: Airfare and hotels in Chania are more available than in peak summer, but the festival draws international and domestic visitors; locking in stays around the old town provides optimal access to venues and nightlife.
• Getting there: Fly into Chania International Airport (CHQ) or Heraklion (HER) and drive or bus to Chania; CHQ is a short transfer from the old town.
• Getting around: Chania is walkable; most festival venues and hospitality spots are within a compact radius around the harbor and old town streets.
• What to pack: Light layers for mild autumn evenings, a compact notebook for screenings, and comfortable walking shoes for cobbled lanes and venue hopping.

Tips for filmmakers

• Submit early: The window closes May 31, 2025; films completed between 2022 and 2025 qualify, with notifications by late July, giving teams time to plan travel and materials.
• Materials: Prepare screener links, press kits, stills, and a trailer; ensure audio meets stated technical specs and ship any required exhibition files by August 20, 2025.
• Engagement: CFF covers two nights of hospitality for participating filmmakers, encouraging on‑site presence for Q&As and workshops that deepen audience connection and industry networking.

Why Chania Film Festival stands out

The combination of international scope, community engagement, and education gives CFF a distinct identity. It is large enough to attract global work and juried recognition, and intimate enough to facilitate close encounters between filmmakers and audiences. The late‑October timing also allows visitors to experience Crete in a gentler season, where screenings can be paired with day trips to beaches or mountain villages and evenings in one of Greece’s most atmospheric old towns.

Verified details at a glance

• Event: 13th Chania Film Festival (CFF).
• When: Late October 2025 in Chania, Crete, aligning with the festival’s traditional “last week of October” slot.
• Submissions: Feb 1–May 31, 2025; eligible production years 2022–2025; notifications by end of July; online submission only.
• Program: Fiction, documentary, animation; competitions and special awards; workshops, masterclasses, and education track; potential on‑site and controlled online screenings.
• Audience: 22,000+ across eleven days, including schools; multiple central venues and citywide cultural footprint.

Block late October on the calendar, book a base near Chania’s old harbor, and plan days that mix coastal walks with screenings and post‑film conversations under the city’s Venetian lights. Filmmakers should finalize submissions by May 31 and prepare to meet an engaged audience that makes Crete’s largest film event as welcoming as it is ambitious. Follow the festival’s official site for the 2025 lineup, venue schedule, and ticket details as autumn approaches, and come ready to see why Chania Film Festival has become a cornerstone of Greece’s cultural fall season.

National holiday parade commemorating Greece's refusal to surrender to Axis powers in WWII, featuring military parades and patriotic celebrations.

Oxi Day Parade 2025 in Crete takes place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, with morning church services, wreath-laying ceremonies, and grand student and military parades in the major towns of Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos, along with closures of archaeological sites and most public services for the national holiday. The day honors Greece’s defiant “No” on October 28, 1940, when Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected Mussolini’s ultimatum, marking Greece’s entry into WWII and becoming a lasting symbol of courage and unity remembered islandwide with flags, bands, and processions through city centers and waterfronts.

Date, holiday status, and where to go

• Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, observed nationwide as a public holiday with parades across Crete’s regional capitals and many smaller towns and villages.
• Crete’s parade hubs: Chania (Venetian Harbor area and city center), Rethymno (old town avenues), Heraklion (including Kournarou/Kornarou Square and central boulevards), and Agios Nikolaos (lakeside/center routes), with exact routes and times set by each municipality closer to the day.
• Closures and access: Archaeological sites and most businesses close; streets on parade routes are blocked and traffic is heavy as school buses bring students to march.

What happens on Oxi Day in Crete

• Church services: The day begins with a doxology at each city’s cathedral, honoring those who fought and fell for Greece; in Chania this service is held at the Metropolitan Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary.
• Wreath-laying: Officials, armed forces, veterans, schools, and civic bodies lay wreaths at war memorials, with the national anthem and moments of silence at hero statues and monuments before parades step off.
• Parades: Primary and secondary schools, universities, scouts, guides, traditional dance groups in local attire, and armed forces contingents march with bands and flag details through city centers, drawing large crowds in a patriotic atmosphere.

Chania’s program example

Chania publishes a detailed ceremonial schedule each year. A recent program shows the rhythm that repeats annually:

• 10:45 a.m. doxology at the Metropolitan Church in the old town, with a keynote speech.
• 11:40 a.m. wreath-laying at the city’s Hero Statue near the Clock Tower by state and local leaders, armed forces, veterans, and civic organizations.
• 12:00 p.m. grand parade featuring schools, cultural associations in Cretan dress, and military units, followed by the lowering of the flag at Firkas Fortress late afternoon, and the lighthouse illuminated in blue and white throughout the weekend.
• This flow is a reliable template for 2025, with exact times confirmed by the municipality as the date approaches.

History in brief

Oxi Day commemorates Metaxas’ refusal of an Axis demand to allow Italian troops into Greece on October 28, 1940. The defiant “No” galvanized the nation, led to Greek resistance on the Albanian front, and remains a touchstone of national pride, marked every year with processions, flags, and civic rituals throughout Greece, including Crete. The holiday underscores values of bravery, solidarity, and freedom, often quoted with Churchill’s praise of Greek courage during the Greco‑Italian War.

How to experience the parades

• Arrive early: Streets close well before step-off; get to central squares at least 45–60 minutes ahead for good viewing near cathedrals, hero statues, or reviewing stands.
• Best vantage points: In Chania, the Metropolitan Church area, Hero Statue, and stretches near the Venetian Harbor give atmosphere and space; in Heraklion, Kornarou (Kournaros) Square is a prime spot mentioned by local guides.
• Respectful etiquette: Stand for the national anthem, remove hats during memorial moments, and avoid blocking marching lines or ceremonial areas; photography is welcome but keep sidewalks and crossings clear.
• After the parade: Cafés and tavernas fill quickly with families; book tables in advance. Expect a celebratory mood with patriotic songs and Cretan music through the afternoon.

Practical tips for visitors

• What’s open: Archaeological sites and state museums close; many shops close or keep limited hours; cafés and restaurants in old towns are usually open and busy after ceremonies.
• Transport: Use public transport sparingly around parade hours; parking is limited in centers. Plan on walking in from peripheral streets or using taxis before road closures begin.
• Weather and dress: Late October is mild; bring a light layer for sea breezes and comfortable shoes for standing. Wear modest attire if attending church services before the parade.
• With children: Parades are family-friendly and inspiring; keep a meeting point in case of crowd separation and bring water and a small snack for little ones.

Beyond the parades: cultural context

• Cathedrals and memorials: The doxology and wreath-laying give a solemn frame to the day. Visitors can better understand local history by visiting war memorials and reading plaques that narrate regional sacrifices.
• Flags and tradition: Homes and balconies display Greek flags; students march in school uniforms, while local groups sometimes appear in Cretan dress, connecting national remembrance with regional identity.
• Coastal gestures: In recent years Chania has illuminated its Venetian Lighthouse in blue and white over the holiday weekend, infusing the harbor with national colors and symbolism after dusk.

Planning a long Oxi Day weekend in Crete

• Friday–Monday stays: Stretch the visit to explore the Venetian Harbors of Chania or Rethymno, old-town museums, and nearby beaches, then join Tuesday’s ceremonies and parades before a relaxed evening by the sea.
• Food experiences: Pair parade day with Cretan comfort foods — kalitsounia, boureki, slow-cooked meats, and village salads — and toast with local wine or tsikoudia; reservations are wise on the holiday afternoon.
• Day trips: Before or after Oxi Day, consider Balos or Falasarna (Chania), Arkadi Monastery (Rethymno), Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, or the Lassithi Plateau from Agios Nikolaos for a fuller cultural arc.

Verified essentials at a glance

• Holiday: Oxi Day (Ohi Day), national public holiday.
• 2025 date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
• Crete observance: Morning church services, wreath-laying, and midday parades in Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos; road closures; sites and most services closed.
• Chania program pattern: 10:45 doxology, 11:40 wreaths at Hero Statue, 12:00 grand parade; lighthouse illuminated in national colors over the weekend; flag-lowering at Firkas Fortress late afternoon.

Mark Tuesday, October 28 on the calendar, pick a Cretan city center, and stand shoulder to shoulder with locals as bands, students, and veterans bring Oxi Day’s meaning to life. Arrive early, choose a vantage near the cathedral or hero’s monument, then linger after for a long lunch as flags ripple over the harbor. For route specifics and timings, check municipal announcements in mid‑October — and get ready to witness courage remembered with pride on Crete’s streets.