Cultural & Sports events in Crete this Spring
Spring is a wonderful time to visit Chania, and with even more reason this year! Take a look at just some of the cultural events and sports activities that will take place on the island this Spring. It is a wonderful time to be in Crete and explore the local culture through the fares and organised events!
https://www.oinokritika.org/
Feast of St. George (April or the day after Easter)
This religious festival includes liturgies and communal meals in villages around Chania. Especially on April 23rd or the day after Easter in various villages, notably in Asi Gonia, a mountainous village of Chania where shepherds bring their flocks to the church for blessing, and attendees are offered milk and meat with rice. On this day, the locals celebrate the feast of Agios Georgios Galatas, which means 'protector of milk'. All sheep flocks of the local farmers are gathered around the village church and, after the Holy Mass, the priest blesses them. Then, the sheep are milked in the square, and the milk is boiled and offered to the people.
https://www.chaniatourism.gr/traditions/
For the Greek Orthodox Church, the most important Christian festival is Easter. Some of the most beautiful hymns of Eastern religious music are sung during the Holy Week. Judas is a scarecrow made of straw and old clothes, which during the morning of Holy Saturday travels around the village on a donkey, while the people laugh at it and give out "kaltsounia" (cheese-pie) and sweets. The same scarecrow is burned in a big fire at midnight on Holy Saturday, symbolizing the cruel fate of the traitor. At the end of the service the Cultural Society of Vamos serves free food and wine to fellow villagers. This is also the end of the 40 days fast before Easter. Easter Sunday is the most important moment of the Greek Orthodox Church calendar, a day of joy and fiesta, with lots of wine, dances and songs. The traditional food of the day is lamb on the spit through the whole of Greece, although in Crete very often the lamb is roasted in an oven over the branches of vines.
Crete Marathon (April)
Held annually in Chania, the Crete Marathon welcomes runners from around the world to explore through its course offers runners the opportunity to traverse key landmarks of the city.
https://crete-marathon.gr/en/home/
Samaria Run (May)
The White Mountains National Park with the world-famous Samaria Gorge, host this event. The route is approximately 18 km. Participants run on this route on a road and on the corresponding paths of the NationalForest.
https://www.eoshanion.gr/en/samaria-run-en
Venizeleia Track and Field Meeting & Venizeleia Run (May)
Venizeleia Track and Field Meeting is an esteemed international athletics event attracting athletes from around the world, held at the 'Elena Venizelou' National Stadium of Chania. The Venizeleia Run Sports Event takes place in Chania and is dedicated to the memory of Eleftherios Venizelos. The runners start from the National Stadium of Chania and after a 10 kilometer route, they finish there again. At the same time, there is also a 2.3 kilometer race where children and parents compete.
https://venizeleia-chania.gr/en/about-venizeleia/
Basketball and Volleyball Tournaments
Hosted at the Chania Kladissos Indoor Hall, these tournaments feature local and national teams competing in basketball and volleyball.
https://eakchania.gr/en/events/#tournaments
Tennis Tournaments
National-level tennis competitions are organized at the Tennis Club of Chania, drawing players from across Greece.
https://eakchania.gr/en/events/#tournaments
Water Polo and Swimming Competitions
The Nautathletic Centre of Chania hosts water polo matches, including those in the 1st national division, and swimming competitions across all divisions.
Shooting Tournaments
The Shooting Centre of Chania is the venue for European and national shooting tournaments, particularly in pistol events at 25 and 50 meters.
https://eakchania.gr/en/ethniko-skopeytirio-chanion/
Hyperkopeli
Organized by the 'Orizondas' Sports Club, this event supports children and adults facing health challenges through various sports activities.
https://www.orizondas.gr/en/yperkopeli-chania/
Chania Trail Event
Οne of the most exciting sporting events in Chania! It takes place in the beautiful area of Nerokourou and offers an unrepeatable mountain running experience! DΙSCOVER the Malaxa Ups&Downs (11.3km, +550m), HAVE FUN with Rafioli Run&Fun (6.3Km, +330m), EXPLORE trails by participating in hiking. Give your kids the chance to live their own sporting adventure in the children's race!
https://www.arkalos.gr/en/category/chaniaeng/
Carnival
Many carnival festivities and parades take place in various places of Chania, such as Chania Town, Souda, Paleochora, Vatollakos and Kalyves.
https://www.chaniatourism.gr/traditions/
260 Kmemories Festival (May)
The aim of the 260kmemories Festival is to highlight the dynamics of the activities carried out by organizations and individuals in Crete throughout the year and which provide the visitors as well as the locals,with a wealth of experiences and alternative activities. The participant exhibitors are Professionals, Organizations and Associations active in Alternative Tourism - Tourism of Experiences who present their services during the Alternative Tourism Exhibition that is held in Katehaki Square. Each year there is a special theme dedicated to a part of Alternative Tourism.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsMN19_MdC0/?img_index=4
Walking in Nature - Chania Trails (April)
https://www.facebook.com/reel/8165584770138432
