Heraklion festivals and carnivals

The people in Heraklion love to celebrate and perform, so it's well worth tying your holiday in with one of the many festivals and carnivals that go on in the city. The Heraklion Summer Arts Festival is the biggest event in the city's calendar, taking place throughout the summer from June to September. The city will be alive with entertainment and you'll see live music performances from operas to folk singing. There are also traditional Greek performers, theatre shows including Greek tragedies and dancing such as ballet performances. You'll find these events taking place across the city, with most staged at open-air venues found within the famous Venetian city walls. Some of them even have free entry so pop along and enjoy the show. Carnival celebrations are big in Crete and Heraklion is no exception to that. These parties are an all day and night celebration that take place throughout the year. There's dancing and singing in the streets, parades and floats, colourful costumes and music as well as activities for the kids too. In the evenings there'll be plenty of food and drink followed by music and dancing and an exciting party atmosphere until late.