Beautiful beaches, gorgeous vineyards, and traditional fishing villages lined with family-run tavernas and posh Corfu villas for rent make this vibrant island in the Ionian Sea a must-visit destination. Corfu also boasts a rich calendar of different events and festivals, ranging from religious celebrations and music festivals to a hip craft beer event and an olive festival that celebrates the island’s olive-growing traditions.
One of the things I like most about people is Corfu is they don’t need much to celebrate. All it takes is some traditional Greek music, a few white plastic tables and chairs, fresh olives, and wine. In this Corfu festival and event guide, you will find everything from a list of the best festivals on the island to local cultural events and Corfu music festivals.
Top Festivals in Corfu
1. Easter
The most anticipated religious event on the island of Corfu is Easter. There are many activities in the Old Town during this time of year, from church services and fireworks to dancing and philharmonic orchestras performing in the streets. A famous custom in Corfu during Easter is called Botides, which includes jars full of water being thrown from the balconies down to the ground. If you meet someone on the street in Corfu on Easter, your greeting should be Christos Anesti (Christ is Risen). The person typically replies with Alithos Anesti (Truly He is Risen).
2. The Festival of Saint Spyridon
Another important religious event on the island of Corfu is the annual Festival of Saint Spyridon. It takes place in the streets of Kerkyra on December 12th every year. For those who don’t know, Saint Spyridon was the Bishop of Cyprus who was known for performing miracles. The festival includes a religious service at the Church of Saint Spyridon and attracts many locals who visit to pay their respects to the patron saint of the island.
3. May 21st – Unification of the Ionian Islands
Wish to see a parade with brass bands and shooting from the cannons on Corfu Island? Visit on May 21st, which is also known as the Unification of the Ionian Islands holiday. In 1863, Great Britain decided to give up its role as a protector of the Ionian Islands. One year later, the unification of Greece and the Ionian Islands took place. During this event, you will have an opportunity to see a lively parade with traditional costumes and live music on the streets of Kerkyra.
4. The Corfu Beer Festival
Beer lovers can book their trip to Corfu in September when the annual Corfu Beer Festival takes place. With an extraordinary selection of both international brews and local beers, the festival celebrates the island’s impressive craft beer scene. The festival is held in the Corfu Old Fortress, and visitors can try different types of craft beers while enjoying live music and traditional Greek cuisine. You can also purchase products from local producers and attend several craft beer seminars during the event.
5. The Olive Festival
If you like olives, I suggest visiting Corfu in October. Book one of the many luxurious event villas in Corfu and learn everything there is to know about Corfu’s olive-growing traditions. The festival is held in the picturesque village of Doukades and offers plenty of activities. Guests can look forward to events like tasting olive-based products, workshops, and demonstrations. The village of Doukades is located on the west coast of Corfu and just a short drive from the world-famous Paleokastritsa beach. In the evenings, you can eat in one of the local tavernas or mingle with the locals in the cute town square.
6. Echoes Film Festival
One of the newest editions to the festival scene in Corfu, the Echoes Film Festival is a must-visit event when staying in Corfu. After exploring the island’s main tourist attractions, check out this cool festival, which showcases both local and international films of all genres. The festival is held at the New Venetian Fortress in the north-western part of the Old Town.
Monthly Events Calendar: What’s Happening in 2025
January: New Year’s Day celebrations, Saint Athanasios day, Epithany (Celebration of the baptism of Jesus)
February/March: Corfu Carnival, Crysanthos Day, Independence Day
April: Orthodox Easter, Saint Thomas
May: Labour Day and the Feast of the Flowers, Makrades Panegyri/Festival, Kanoni Festival of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Celebration of the Unification of the Ionian Island, Kassios Dias Trail Race Kassiopi
June: Festival of the Holy Spirit, Beach Volleyball tournament Roda, St. Onofrio’s Day celebration in Pelekas
July: Celebration of Saint Prokopios, Festival of Elia Prophet in Magoulade, Festival in Saint Rocco square in honor of S. Spyridonas, Vraganiotika village festival celebrating the Saints day
August: Varkarola Festival, Benitses Sardine Festival, Spyridon’s Day, Festival of the Virgin Odighitria
September: Corfu Beer Festival, Kavadades Wine Festival
October: Messonghi Panegyri/Festival, Ochi Day
November: Saint Spyridon Procession and religious events.
December: Christmas markets, New Year’s Eve
Corfu Music Scene
With many live music performances throughout the year, the Corfu music scene is definitely one of the best in the Ionian Islands. There are a few music festivals in the summer season, as well as performances by local philharmonic performers such as the Old Philharmonic, Philharmonic of Mantzaros, and Philharmonic of Kapodistrias.
Corfu Music Celebration
The Corfu Music Celebration is one of the most anticipated live music festivals in 2025 in Corfu. The annual festival is scheduled from July 6-11, 2025. Visitors can look forward to seeing both local and international artists and dancing along to the tunes of J.Pool, Kareem Raihani, Tayphoon, Mushina, Netanel Goldberg, Clara Sophia, and many other performers. In addition to music, this summer festival hosts yoga and meditation sessions.
Beach Festivals & Summer Parties
The island of Corfu comes alive in summer when hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to this gorgeous island in the Ionian Sea. Whether you are looking for a cozy beachfront bar where you can enjoy cocktails and spectacular sunset views or wish to dance the night away at one of the popular beach clubs on the island, there is no shortage of beach festivals and summer parties in Corfu. For a more traditional music experience, stop by the picturesque villages in Corfu and listen to traditional Greek music while feasting on local delicacies in cute tavernas.
If you are a party-goer and want to attend all-night DJ sets, go to the famous Glyfada Beach which throws some of the best summer parties on the island. You will also find live music performances and jam sessions at places such as the Pazuzu and Akrotiri Lounge. A popular time to visit the island is during the Full Moon Parties that are hosted on various beaches across the island and include everything from music and dance performances under the sky to extraordinary fire shows. Travelers who wish to see traditional dancing and music can visit the village of Paleokastritsa.
Local Cultural Events
There is no shortage of local cultural events in Corfu that celebrate the island’s rich heritage. For instance, the island’s Echoes Film Festival, with its movie screenings and literary discussions, plays an important role in preserving the local culture and history. No visit to this island in the Ionian Sea is complete without checking out the cultural events known as Panigria. These celebrations of local culture take place in the villages across the island in a rural setting. Visitors will have a chance to sample local cuisine, dance with the locals to live folk music performances, and sample wines produced in the nearby vineyards.
Planning Around the Festivals
For a memorable and stress-free vacation on the island, planning your trip around the festivals and events in Corfu is very important. Whether you are into partying all night long or you wish to visit religious celebrations, there is plenty to look forward to when visiting Corfu. I’ve decided to share a few tips on how to plan your visit to Corfu and experience some of its best festivals and events.
- Book Accommodations Well in Advance: While there are many cool places to stay in Corfu, it is important to secure your stay well in advance. The thing is that during popular events/festivals such as the Beer Festival and Easter, accommodation in Corfu sells out quickly. Therefore, I suggest booking a villa, guesthouse, and hotel accommodation at least 2 months before the event.
- Check Local Schedules: It is quite common to see festival dates changing slightly each year. So, make sure to verify dates before purchasing your airline ticket and booking accommodation.
- Explore Beyond Corfu Old Town: The truth is that the majority of events on the island are held in the Old Town. However, that doesn’t mean that other coastal villages like Kassiopi, Kavos, Gouvia, and Benitses don’t have much to offer in terms of events and festivals.