Cretan Diet Festival in Rethymno

Author Discover Crete

Gastronomy

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

19:15 – 23:00 Local Product Exhibition

19:15 – 20:30 Children's Zone
Art Workshop – "From Individual to Collective"
Children create individual artworks using natural materials inspired by Cretan nature and diet, which will be displayed in an outdoor exhibition at the garden.
For primary school children.

Musical Tales
“Fall, pie, so I can eat you” (by Alkis Paschalidis)
True stories and myths, sounds, songs and music about good food and healthy eating.
Creative workshop follows.
For children aged 4–7.

19:15 – 20:00 Concert by the Rethymno Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra
20:00 – 20:30 Blessing Ceremony by Metropolitan of Rethymno & Avlopotamos, Mr. Prodromos. Official greetings from dignitaries and organizations.
20:45 – 21:15 Historical Group “Vrakoforon Crete” with the band of Zacharias Spyridakis
21:30 – 23:00 Concert with “Kyklos Ensemble”

The "Kyklos Ensemble" offers a musical journey through Greece's diverse musical traditions, featuring a wide range of songs and melodies from across the country. The ensemble consists of exceptionally talented musicians who bring the magic of Greek music to life through rich and captivating arrangements.

Performers:

Zacharias Spyridakis – Lyra / Vocals
Avgerini Gatsi – Vocals / Accordion / Ney
Kostas Poulianakis – Percussion
Giorgos Minacheilis – Kanun
Nikos Paraoulakis – Ney / Askomandoura / Flutes
Kostas Avyssinos – Vocals / Lute / Mandolin / Boulgari
Giannis Melampianakis – Bouzouki, Vocals, Oud

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

19:15 – 23:00 Local Product Exhibition

19:15 – 20:30 Children's Zone
"Tympania" - Musical Fairytale by Alkis Paschalidis
Performed live by Babarokades band:
Three children embark on a journey to a land where everyone plays drums in the streets. But will they finally join in? Narrated by musicians with drums, cello, guitar, flute, small drums and songs.
For children aged 5+.

19:15 – 20:30 Main Stage
"Let's discover the flavors and aromas of Cretan olive oil varieties with Eleftheria Germanaki."
Guided olive oil tasting for adults and children by the Sensory Evaluation Laboratory of Crete (ASR), coordinated by Eleftheria Germanaki, an international olive oil judge.

20:45 – 21:15 Folklore Group “HOROKRITES” with Vasilis Makedakis' band
21:30 – 23:00 Concert with Spyros Polykandriotis

The Spyros Polykandriotis Ensemble, with its 7-member orchestra, focuses on traditional rebetiko and Smyrnaic songs. Their meticulous research reveals the enduring magic of Byzantine music, tracing its influence through the centuries and the Greek diaspora.

MUSICAL SECTIONS:

Rebetiko Smyrnaic Songs
Folk Songs by Rebetiko Composers
Island Songs by Rebetiko Composers

Thursday, July 3, 2025

19:15 – 23:00 Local Product Exhibition

19:15 – 20:30 Children's Zone
Educational Team MARABOU - "Kneading the World!"
Sensory play with natural dough and ingredients from Cretan cuisine and nature for children and parents.
Art workshop for infants and toddlers.

"Fairytales on the Plate"
Storytelling with live music. Scented tales from around the world, followed by an art workshop.
For primary school children.

19:15 – 20:30 Main Stage
"Kneading Tradition, Flavors, Memories & Values from Crete"
Organized by the Agri-Food Partnership of Crete, featuring a hands-on workshop led by Ntina Seisaki of the certified taverna “Ancient Lappa” (member of the "Crete – Cretan Cuisine" network). Discover the secrets of Cretan paximadi (rusk) and taste authentic flavors.

20:45 – 21:15 Folklore Group "TZANIDAKIS" with Ilias Gialitakis' band
21:30 – 23:00 Cretan-Folk Orchestra with Pavlos Melis Kallitsounakis and Valentina Anastasopoulou – “Once Upon a Rosa…”

A tribute concert to Nikos Xilouris and Dimitris Mitropanos, featuring iconic songs like “Once Upon a Time,” “Rosa,” “S' Anazito sti Saloniki,” “Archangel Love,” “A Thousand Waves” and more from legendary composers such as Xarchakos, Markopoulos, Leonis, Kokotos, Tokas, Mikroutsikos etc.

Performers:

Pavlos Melis Kallitsounakis – Vocals, Lute, Guitar
Valentina Anastasopoulou – Vocals, Guitar
Charalampos Voulgarakis – Lyra
Stelios Iliakis – Lute, Bouzouki
Nikiforos Volanakis – Askomandoura, Winds
Antonis Botonakis – Keys, Bass
Giannis Zolotas – Drums, Percussion

Friday, July 4, 2025

19:15 – 23:00 Local Product Exhibition

19:15 – 20:30 Children's Zone
"The Man Who Planted Trees"
An interactive theatre workshop based on Jean Giono’s story, connecting children with nature using natural materials, sounds, and creativity.
For ages 8–14.

"Fruits of the Earth"
Mythological storytelling about the Earth’s creative force, followed by an art workshop.
For ages 4–8.

19:15 – 20:30 Main Stage
Outdoor photo exhibition opening for the 100-year anniversary of the Municipal Garden.
20:00 – "Greening our Garden or Balcony"
An initiative by Rethymno's Department of Greenery and Urban Environment, encouraging citizens to beautify their gardens, balconies, and courtyards. The winners of the photo competition will be awarded this evening.

20:45 – 21:15 Traditional Association "AKRITES" with Nikos Lagoudakis' band
21:30 – 23:00 "In the Rhythm of the Balkans" with Mariela Vitorou, Spyros Xenitopoulos & their 6-member band

The GreCanto Ensemble takes the audience on a vibrant Balkan musical journey, blending traditional melodies with modern interpretations.

Performers:

Mariela Vitorou – Vocals
Spyros Xenitopoulos – Vocals, Accordion
Michalis Avlonitis – Bass
Vasilis Balogiannis – Clarinet
Andreas Stamoulis – Guitar
Aris Syskakis – Violin
Panagiotis Sfakianakis – Percussion

Saturday, July 5, 2025

19:15 – 23:00 Local Product Exhibition

19:15 – 20:30 Children's Zone
Art Workshop – "From Individual to Collective"
Land Art creation using natural materials from the garden.
For primary school children.

19:15 – 20:30 Main Stage
"Discovering Rethymno's Wineries: A Journey into Local Wines" with oenologist Iliana Malichin.*
Iliana Malichin is known for reviving Cretan winemaking, focusing on the rare Vidiano grape and working with pre-phylloxera vineyards across Rethymno. Despite setbacks like wildfires, she continues to inspire local farmers and youth, transforming Rethymno into a rising wine destination.

20:45 – 21:15 Folklore Association "KRITES" with Giorgos Angelogiannakis' band
21:30 – 23:00 Electric sounds with Sakis Sakellaridis and his band

Sakis Sakellaridis presents a dynamic mix of his own songs alongside reimagined Greek classics, combining satire and introspection with an electric sound.

Performers:

Sakis Sakellaridis – Strings, Vocals
Konstantinos Kaleris – Electric Guitar, Vocals
Giorgos Mylonakis – Drums
Dimitris Nikoglou – Bass
Michalis Volakas – Guitar

Sunday, July 6, 2025

19:15 – 23:00 Local Product Exhibition

19:15 – 20:30 Children's Zone
"The Vegetable Puppets!"
Creating puppets from Cretan vegetables, printing nature-inspired artworks.
For children aged 3–10.

19:15 – 20:30 Main Stage
"Crete Meets Latin America"
A creative collaboration by Poquito - Barra Latina, Poquito Mas, and Oinothiki barmen, blending Cretan flavors (olive oil, herbs, raki, traditional recipes) with Latin American spices, fruits and techniques. A true cultural fusion of tastes, music, and traditions.

20:45 – 21:15 Dance School "KAMARITIS" with Dimitris and Stelios Kermianakis' band
21:30 – 23:00 Concert with Eva Politaki and her band

Eva Politaki returns to Rethymno with a live performance tailored to the moment, offering a fresh sound and direct connection with the audience.

Performers:

Manos Nazlis – Drums
Panos Kalkanis – Guitar
Vasilis Goritsas – Keyboards
Christos Drouzas – Bass

Monday, July 7, 2025

19:15 – 23:00 Local Product Exhibition

19:15 – 20:30 Children's Zone
"The Kitchen Plays!"
Music instruments workshop using Cretan kitchen ingredients (rice, lentils, chickpeas, fava).
"Smell and Remember!"
Herb sensory exploration with thyme, sage, basil, and dittany.
"The Storytelling Ladle"
Interactive theatre workshop combining flavors, smells and Cretan food traditions.
For children aged 4–12.

19:15 – 20:30 Main Stage
"From Our Land... to Your Table"
The Municipality of Agios Vasileios showcases authentic products, traditional dishes, raki, and wine from Southern Rethymno.

Cooking participants: