Tomorrow, Tuesday 24 June, the Street Art Festival in Heraklion and the traditional Strata Festival in Chania will continue.

Street Art Festival in Heraklion

Programme for Tuesday 24 June

The festival “Art On The Way” rolls on through Tuesday 24 June, bringing a real mix of events to 30 spots in the city centre and 25 more in the wider area.

This thing really turns Heraklion into a playground for creativity and art.

You’ll find workshops, exhibitions, live acts, and interactive shows for all ages scattered throughout the day.

One standout is the inclusive ceramics workshop at the Historical Museum of Crete.

There are also guided tours at the Museum of Cretan Folklore, plus a wander through the Kokotos family’s ancestral estate in Dafnes if you’re feeling curious.

Something a bit different: Eleftherias Square hosts a street art presentation by “The National Intangible Heritage Center” from Korea.

And for the kids, there’s an interactive storytelling twist on A Midsummer Night’s Dream happening at Pentamodi.

If music’s your thing, you’re in luck.

There’s a Cretan music concert with Nikos Tzoulidakis’s group, featuring traditional lute players Antonis Papadakis and Zacharis Mathioudakis, and dancers from the George Maris school.

Another concert unfolds at Prophet Elias Square, with Giorgis Kontogiannis-Kris, Vangelis Siligardos, and Dimitris Karvelis playing artistic folk tunes.

Throughout the day, you can poke around exhibitions and cultural markets.

There’s a handicraft show in Georgiadis Park, a book fair at the Vikelas Municipal Library Bookstore, and a handful of photography exhibitions.

The photo displays run from “Farewells” by the Photographic Group of Agios Ioannis inside the library mezzanine, to outdoor installations like “Displacement” and “Night: Silence, Mystery, Magic,” set up by the Hellenic Photographic Society of Heraklion in city squares and along main avenues.

Other hands-on workshops focus on traditional folk art, so you can actually get involved and learn something new.

Overview of the day’s programme

Source: Creta24

The ‘Traditional Strata’ Celebration in Chania

The Traditional Strata is a weekly event in Chania that puts local heritage front and centre with music and dance.

Every Tuesday evening in summer, usually at the Venetian Port, the place fills up with both residents and visitors.

More than 1,500 dancers and musicians show up, representing over 20 different folklore groups.

They come from Crete, other Greek regions, and even abroad, all decked out in authentic regional costumes that really show off the area’s deep roots.

The performances cover a range of traditional dances, always with live music.

Musicians bring out old-school Cretan instruments, and singers add those timeless vocal pieces you’d expect from the island’s oral tradition.

Before hitting the Venetian Port, groups parade through the old town’s narrow streets, which is honestly half the fun.

It’s a great way for visitors to soak up the local vibe and customs up close.

The event gets people of all ages involved, keeping the tradition alive across generations.

The Traditional Strata is all about preserving and sharing Chania’s cultural identity.

It’s a big moment for local dance associations to show what they can do, and for the crowd to pick up on some traditional Cretan music and dance forms.

This whole thing usually kicks off in June and runs for months, right when the city’s buzzing with tourists.

Since it happens every week, chances are good you’ll catch it if you’re in town and want something real.

What really sets this event apart is how it mixes music, dance, and costume into something immersive and genuinely alive.

It’s not some staged show—everyone there takes real pride in bringing their heritage to life.

Visitors often mention the warmth and friendly buzz, saying it feels more like a local festival than just another tourist attraction.

There’s something about sharing music and dance that connects people, no matter where they’re from.

Revival of the Traditional Route – The Path of Kisamos and Mousouroi

The Cultural and Educational Association “O Gigenis” is teaming up with the Traditional Association of Chania “Viglatores” for an event all about the old Path of Kisamos and Mousouroi.

This trail isn’t just a patch of ground—there’s a lot of history tangled up in it.

The idea is to help folks, whether they live nearby or are just passing through, get back in touch with the landscape and the traditions that have shaped it.

Preserving heritage isn’t just about saving old stones or dusty signs; it’s about keeping customs alive, too.

The route itself has roots that go way back, and honestly, it’s more than just a walking trail.

It’s kind of a thread tying together communities, stories, and the wild corners of the region.

They want this revival to make the path feel open and inviting, nudging people to wander, explore, and maybe stumble onto something unexpected about the area’s past.

Key aspects of the event include:

• Presentation of the route’s history and cultural significance
• Guided walks along the revived trail
• Participation opportunities for community members and tourists
• Celebration of local customs, music, and stories related to the path

The organisers are pretty insistent about respecting the environment and not steamrolling over the old ways, even as they adapt the route for today’s visitors.

There’s a real hope here to spark a sense of belonging and maybe make folks pause and think about what makes this region so distinct.

The evening event is set up to feel communal and festive—definitely not your average hike.

Source: Chania Culture

Please leave this field empty

Don’t miss the daily tips and news about Crete!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Please leave this field empty

Don’t miss the daily tips and news about Crete!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.