| Arguably one of the most beautiful Greek Islands, | | | | culturally significant settings. Then, August brings a |
| the 'Emerald Island' of Corfu is especially popular | | | | variety of traditional cultural events to the streets of |
| when its many festivals are in full swing. Although | | | | Corfu's towns and villages. On 10 August, The |
| summer is the peak time for festivals in Corfu, there | | | | Varkarola comes to the Garitsa Bay in Corfu Town, |
| are numerous local celebrations, name days, and | | | | when choirs perform traditional Corfiot cantades in |
| religious events that bring colour and charm to a | | | | moored boats. The next day is The Feast of Agios |
| Corfu holiday. If you are planning a holiday in Corfu | | | | Spyridon, when colourful processions commemorate |
| look out for the following events; | | | | Saint Spyridon, patron saint of the island. |
| Religious themes for Easter | | | | In the villages of Kato Garouna and Ano Gerakiana, |
| On Palm Sunday, a street procession follows the line | | | | on the first weekend after 15 August, The Festival |
| of the old Corfu town walls, from where Saint | | | | of Garouna and Ano Gerakiana takes place. The |
| Spiridon drove off the plague in 1630. But this is just | | | | festival is organised by associations of people who |
| a precursor to Easter week which is one huge | | | | have left these villages for Athens and other |
| religious festival. The week is a coming together of | | | | destinations. The obvious emotions of those who |
| religious faiths, both Orthodox and Catholic, secular | | | | return to the land of their birth makes for high |
| traditions, choral church music, and street processions | | | | revelry and thoughtful reflection, both worth |
| in delightful spring weather. On Good Friday, churches | | | | experiencing, even by an outsider. |
| bring out their funeral biers and parade them around | | | | The Cricket Festival - A Reminder of Corfu's English |
| the districts accompanied by orchestras. A biblical | | | | Past |
| earthquake is celebrated the next day, including the | | | | Believe it or not, the inhabitants of Corfu have been |
| dramatic custom where the local people throw pots | | | | playing cricket since 1835 and there are currently four |
| out of their windows. More music follows and the | | | | cricket teams on the island. During September, Corfu |
| fervent air of devotion combines with celebration, | | | | Town's Esplianada Square hosts a cricket festival |
| culminating in an impressive fireworks display. After | | | | where the Corfiot cricketers compete with teams |
| Easter Sunday services, church icons are paraded | | | | from Malta and Great Britain. |
| around the towns' streets followed by traditional | | | | These and other festivals are seasonal, but be aware |
| Easter feasting. | | | | that their dates change due to many factors, so if |
| Concerts and a Mid Summer Cultural Festival | | | | you are planning a trip to coincide with a particular |
| At the Ionian Concerts, in late June and July, | | | | festival, confirm the dates at the time you make |
| musicians from Greece and the United States come | | | | your travel and accommodation bookings. |
| together for high-quality musical performances held in | | | | |