With aromas, music, laughter — and of course, plenty of bananas, Arvi is once again getting ready to host the 7th Banana Festival, from August 8 to 10, 2025!

Now a well-loved tradition in southern Crete, the festival celebrates this special local fruit and the people who grow it. This year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Nikos Papadakis, a beloved figure who served the culture of Arvi with love and commitment.

Among the festival’s loyal supporters: the Municipality of Viannos, the banana producers of Arvi, the Region of Crete, the Heraklion Port Fund, and the Heraklion Port Authority S.A.

From August 8 to 10, visitors will have the chance to sample homemade banoffee pies lovingly prepared by the women of the village.

At the entrance, guests will be greeted with the famous banana liqueur, made with locally grown bananas. Enthusiasts can even ask for the recipe — the organizers will gladly share it!

This award-winning liqueur, holder of a Gold Distinction at the 5th Eastern Crete Gastronomy Festival, will be the perfect companion for anyone exploring the photo exhibition curated by Nikos Kikakis (Foto.kik), offering a nostalgic glimpse into Arvi’s past.

The goal, say the organizers, is for everyone to dance, laugh, reminisce, and most importantly, have fun together — like every year.

A few things about Arvi

Katerina Nodarakis spoke to DiscoverCrete about the village and the festival.

Arvi has around 600 permanent residents. Its banana is famous across the island — though recent droughts have taken a toll on production.

Where bananas once grew on 800 stremmata of land, now only half remains cultivated. Professional producers have decreased, but many young people are returning to the village and turning to organic farming.

The Arvi banana stands out for its small size and exceptional flavour. No pesticides are used for preservation, so it must be consumed within 3–4 days of harvesting.

Legend has it the banana came to the area from a monk of the Monastery of Agios Antonios, who brought the fruit from the Holy Lands. The monastery’s history is just as fascinating — a place of growth and destruction, now home to a single abbot. It sits at the entrance of the namesake gorge, one of Crete’s most demanding artificial gorges, crowned by a spectacular waterfall.

So Arvi isn’t just about gastronomy — it’s a destination for adventurers, history buffs, and beach lovers alike. The sea is shallow and family-friendly, and there are some fantastic seafront tavernas.

Nearby villages are well worth exploring: the historic Amiras Viannou with its Holocaust Museum, and coastal gems like Kastri, Keratokampos, and Psari Forada.

Full Programme – 7th Arvi Banana Festival

Friday, August 8

• Opening Ceremony – 7:30 PM

• Blessing

• Welcome speeches

• Interactive talk: “Traffic Accidents: Safety and Prevention”
  Speakers:
  • Nikitas Melessanakis, Police Captain, Viannos Police Department
  • Giannis Lionakis, President of ESYPROTA (Volunteer Road Safety Association)
  Moderator: Marina Mathioudaki

📍 Church of Saints Peter and Paul
🕖 Start: 8:00 PM – Free Entry

• Bubble Bubble

• Games with prizes for kids

• Balloon crafts and more

• Live music night with Manos Kokolakis
  🕚 Start: 11:30 PM

Saturday, August 9

📍 Church of Saints Peter and Paul
🕗 Start: 8:30 PM – Free Entry

• Theatre performance: “Emine” by Giorgis Karatzis
  Directed by: Manos Manias

Karatzis is widely known for his efforts to keep Cretan poetic language alive.
“Emine” tells the story of a Cretan youth and the daughter of a Turkish Agha, whom he abducts.

• Cretan feast with Antonis Martsakis
  🕚 Start: 11:30 PM

Sunday, August 10

• Children’s theatre by “Svoura” Art Theatre
  “Karagiozis’ Mishaps”
  🕗 Start: 8:30 PM

• Concert tribute: “Once Upon a Time, Rosa…”
  Dedicated to Nikos Xylouris and Dimitris Mitropanos
  🕚 Start: 11:00 PM
  Music curated by: Pavlos Melis Kalitsounakis

Free Entry to all events.

🕖 Exhibition space opens daily at 7:00 PM
👶 Children under 10 enter for free.