Island Breeze by Sarah O. #8 – Claire’s visit to the Saint Gerasimos celebrations
A wonderful experience of local culture! During her week’s visit to Kefalonia we took my mother-in-law Claire to the celebrations of Saint Gerasimos on 20th October. It was a beautifully sunny and hot day and as we approached the Omala Valley we could see how busy the area around the monastery was because the sun… Read more
Virgin Mary Drapaniotissa Celebrations
Theotokos Myrtidiotissa is honoured in Kefalonia at St. Dionysios church (or Church of Virgin Mary in Drapano) where the Sacred Icon is kept. Theotokos Drapaniotissa is the Patron of Argostoli and is also known as “Panagia of Drapano” or simply “Drapaniotissa” . Celebrated on the 24th September where ceremonies in her honour take place and… Read more
Festivals and Events
Discover and participate in one of the many festivals or events taking place throughout the year in Kefalonia. Events range from religious and cultural festivals celebrating Saints Days, National and local holidays, wine and cheese production to workshops, art displays, road running races, classic car rallies, gymnastic and martial arts conventions and so much more!… Read more
My Easter in Kefalonia!
Whether you are religious or not, Easter in Greece is an important period of custom and traditions so connected with our childhood and upbringing that following and protecting them is a matter of respect to our history and generations gone by. Nowadays a lot of the customs have fainted, but still, especially the older women… Read more
Christmas Celebrations and Traditions in Kefalonia, by Anna
Christmas in Kefalonia is a holiday full of activity, food and, of course, festive traditional celebrations. Many of the celebrations are religious in nature and whilst Easter is the most important holiday celebrated in Greece there are still many reasons to come and celebrate Christmas Kefalonian style! You will recognize many Christmas traditions but there… Read more
The end of the season – October in Kefalonia
After an extremely busy and hot summer Kefalonia moves towards the end of the tourist season and the atmosphere becomes more relaxed and laid back. Now the temperature is not so punishing and some tourist workers hours are decreasing you will find villagers having some time to swim, visit the coffee shops more often and… Read more
Cinema Paradiso & Kourkoumelata Symposium
Cinema Paradiso – Kourkoumelata is for those who love the beauty and experience of outdoor cinema, movies played under the moon and stars. Inspired by a kind and elderly gentleman that used to go to the village (Kourkoumelata) once a week during the 1960s and 1970s, this tradition was re-established in 2004 by John Kourkoumelis, (degree in… Read more
September Calendar of Events in Kefalonia
After the high season has peaked in August things begin to cool down and chill out…But there are still many festivities and events to celebrate in September! Enjoy: 31st Aug -2nd – 4th Ionian VolksFest Kefalonia – Organised by the Classic Car Club of Kefalonia 1st Sept – Lixouri, main square, Grupo Buenaventura Latin American… Read more
Road trip of temples, snakes and lilies – 15th August
One of the most important dates in the Eastern Orthodox calendar is 15th August – the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. It’s a national holiday which sees events taking place all over the country to celebrate Mary ascending into heaven. Of course Kefalonia celebrates too, so Anna and I decided to visit some of the… Read more
Assumption of Virgin Mary, Arginia
At the church in the tiny settlement of Arginia, high up on the mountainside above the south coast, there is an icon of the Virgin Mary depicting her with snakes. Each August, around the feast of the Assumption on the 15th, snakes appear at the church and rest on the icon. Parishioners and visitors are… Read more
Panagia Lagouvarda or Fidoussa, Markopoulo
The church of Panagia Lagouvarda or Fidoussa (of the snakes) is located in the mountainside village of Markopoulo around 30km from Argostoli. The church is renowned throughout the Orthodox world for the icon which depicts the Virgin Mary with small snakes. “Panagia Fidoussa” is the name given to the image – Virgin of the Snakes… Read more
Virgin Mary Gravaliotissa or of the Krina (lillies), Pastra
The church of Gravaliotissa is located in the small mountain village of Pastra and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. On August 15th the feast of the Assumption is celebrated on Kefalonia and this particular church plays an important role in the celebrations drawing many visitors and tourists from all over the world to witness… Read more
The Festival of Grape Harvest and Moustalevria
The Festival of Grape Harvest and Moustalevria is held annually at Agia Paraskevi, Troianata, in the heart of the Robola wine area. The festival is one of the most important events of the year in the wine region and illustrates the cultural heritage of the area, specifically the harvest of the famous grapes which make… Read more
Saristra – first time visitor perspectives from both sides of the stage!
by Sarah O. If you don’t know, Saristra Festival is a 3 day arts and music festival held in the abandoned village of Old Vlachata near to Sami. It’s been held annually (missing just one year) since 2012 and it attracts many artists, bands and visitors from all over Greece and the world! This year… Read more
August Calendar of Events in Kefalonia!
August holds many fantastic opportunities to get involved with events, festivals and dances! Here is a small selection to choose from, check out the links for more information, look out for posters around the island advertising other events. 1st/2nd at Platis Gyalos, Fikia Beach, Marina Argostoliou, Ktima Haritatou, Annoula Beach, Alsos Kalitheas, SeaNema Open Air Film Festival… Read more
SeaNema Open Air Film Festival 30 July-2 Aug 2018
If y want to experience something totally different while having your holidays on the island don’t miss the SeaNema open Air Film Festival! From the 30th of July to the 2nd of August 2018, SeaNema Open Air Film Festival transforms idyllic beaches and other seaside spots of Kefalonia into a charming outdoor movie theater which… Read more
Robola Wine Festivals
Since 1978 there has been a Robola wine festival held every year, on the first weekend after August 15th. It’s a celebration of the new production of the award winning Robola wine, produced on the island. The villages of Fragata and Valsamata in the Omala Valley have a two day panagyri where you have the… Read more
Archaic Temple of Apolo & St George’s church in Skala
The Archaic Temple can be found on the main road of Skala. This Doric temple dates from the 6th century BC – early 5th century BC (Archaic period) and was dedicated to the Greek god Apollo. Archeologist Spyridon Marinatos excavated the site in 1960, it is unique on the island as it is the only site… Read more
Calendar of Events 2020
Updated weekly as information is received. Throughout the year many events take place in Kefalonia -religious celebrations and feasts, arts festivals, wine and food festivals, gymnastic symposiums, road races and much more – this calendar of events also includes national holidays and observances. If you are organising an event, or know of something happening, and… Read more
Lixouri Carnival 2018!
The Carnival in Lixouri has a great tradition as being the best in Kefalonia – and some say in Greece! The Carnival season (or “Mascara” in Kefalonia) comes to an end with the carnival parade on the last Sunday before lent begins in the rest of Greece, but in Kefalonia we sometimes have dances on… Read more