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Most of the villages have a festival in the summer, particularly July and August, though there are some in June and September. The local newspapers list the major ones, but there are many others that only the locals know about. Just ask around.
They are well worth a visit, providing you can find your way there and back - especially after all the eating and drinking! Everyone is out for an enjoyable time, meeting friends and neighbours, relatives and being \'seen\'. All are welcome. Normally you will hear a live band, upwards of five members, playing local tunes, mainly Kalamaniatos and Rouga dances. Do not worry, if you watch for ten minutes or so you will soon understand the basic rhythm. Just join in when you feel a kindred spirit going by. You will be welcomed and encouraged - just watch out for the line of locals flying along to their own intricate steps that they have perfected together over many years.
Easter in Corfu
Celebration of Easter in Corfu is part of a unique experience, and part of an extensive calendar of religious and cultural activities different from anywhere else in Greece and particularly more impressive for first-time visitors to the island, including traditions such as the Easter Saturday morning at 11.00am is the time the Pot Throwing starts, this is to mark the First Resurrection.
The Pot Throwing tradition dating back to the Venetians who used to throw all their old and useless objects and pots out of their windows on Jan1st, Just as we celebrate new years eve by opening the doors and windows to let the old year out and the new year in, and of course not forgetting the banging pans, fireworks, sounding of horns and sirens. This tradition is now carried on by local Corfiot people all over the Island, from Corfu town and surrounding villages.
The Corfiots really love festivals, but also take their Greek Orthodox Religion Very very seriously. With almost two thousand years of religious traditions in which various components all come together harmoniously, the Orthodox Christian faith, pagan traditions, the powerful presence of Saint Spiridon, the Roman Catholic community, the Venetian influence, genuine Corfiot humour, the music of the philharmonic bands and of course the spring atmosphere.
Holy Week throughout Greece is characterised by its church services, by fasting, and by the anticipation of the Resurrection. We recommend that during Holy Week you venture out of Corfu Town and into the countryside and villages to see all of the Celebrations. As you drive into the countryside and you will notice that the Island is moving towards springtime and the season of fertility and renewal, and enjoy its scents which is far better then any of the most expensive perfumes, after the dull weather of winter, with its rain and cold weather, the sunlight underscores the fresh colours of nature, with a rainbow of colours from all the wild flowers bursting into life, the blue of the sky and the sea.
Here are some Greek Easter dates from 2009 to 2019. Every few years, "Western" (Catholic and Protestant) Easter and Greek Orthodox Easter coincide; these years are indicated by (same) following the date.
2009 - Easter Sunday - April 19th
2010 - Easter Sunday - April 4th (same)
2011 - Easter Sunday - April 24th (same)
2012 - Easter Sunday - April 15th
2013 - Easter Sunday - 5th May
2014 - Easter Sunday - 20th April (Same)
2015 - Easter Sunday - 12th April
2016 - Easter Sunday - 1st May
2017 - Easter Sunday - 16th April (Same)
2018 - Easter Sunday - 8th April
2019 - Easter Sunday - 28th April
Tips: If you want to spend Easter in Corfu, you have to book well ahead both your accommodation and even your restaurant table. If you plan to watch any of the Holy Week activities, be sure to arrive early. Also remember that the timetable is strictly adhered to.
Carnival in Corfu
Carnival is also an exciting time in Corfu due to the island\'s unique celebration of the event. The Corfu Carnival pays tribute to Ancient Greek paganistic worship of the Olympian god Dionysus, as well as the Venetian carnival spirit, which makes it one of the most special carnivals in Greece.
Ionian Concerts
“Ionian Concerts” enters its fifth year in an optimistic mood – asserting that, in the face of economic crisis, “music is in our nature”: that the music in our Corfiot nature can turn our spirits around, even under the most difficult conditions.
This year, the “Ionian Concerts” have managed to create a cultural mosaic that both supports local traditions, and welcomes international artists and musicians, in the long tradition of hospitality here in the Ionian Islands.
The Ionian University, the Prefecture of Corfu, the Municipality of Corfu, the Chamber of Commerce, the Philharmonic Bands of the island and the Association of Choirs have joined forces for the first time with the full support of the Region of the Ionian Islands and the participation of the Ministry of Culture and the Greek National Tourism Organisation to organise the best Festival that Corfu has ever experienced.
International artists will meet this Summer in Corfu, including the legendary Eric Burdon with the Animals, the outstanding Japanese pianist Hideyo Harada, the new big talent of American jazz JD Walter, the trombonist Jeff Freedman, the amazing Indian dancer Ananda Shankar Jayant, the Thai ethnic jazz band Pomelo Town, the big band from Germany Backnang and many other acknowledged artists from different sides of the world.
From the Greek side we feature well known artists such as Lambis Vassiliadis, Dimos Dimitriadis, the Melos Brass, Vasilis Rakopoulos, George Kontrafouris, the Valkani Brothers Florina Band - the best Balkan traditional band – the Corfiot classic composer George Katsaros, with the Symphonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and the great folk composer Christos Nikolopoulos.
The whole series of “Ionian Concerts” consists of thirty five musical events, of remarkable quality that will impress the demanding listener, refresh the visitor and spread the perfume of sound around the city and the villages of Corfu.
From the beginning to the end of July, Ionian Concerts invite you to high quality musical performances in historic venues of equally high artistic value.
Paxos Internatinal Music Festival
The Paxos Festival Trust organizes two festivals each year; the Spring Festival, with the emphasis on contemporary music, and the International Festival, held in the late summer. Both involve the participation of exceptionally talented young musicians at the outset of their career.
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