Cultural development in Kefalonia and Ithaca was mainly influenced by the Italian conquerors, as evidenced in the case of the Ionian chant, 'cantada', which differs from the pattern of traditional songs in the other parts of Greece. Weddings, festivals and feasts, as well as the collection of olive oil and grapes constituted occasions of pleasant gatherings, with dances, recitation of rhymes and singing of traditional songs.
The entire ancient and modern history of the islands of Kefalonia and Ithaca, resulted in the formation of a very interesting and diverse cultural background with a strong influence of different elements of each historical period. One of the most characteristic examples of that, is the great musical tradition of the islands (which includes philharmonic orchestras, chants and traditional songs), which is manifested through cultural activities that include both traditional festivals and events of a more alternative nature.
Folklore festival of Saints Fanentes
All Saints’ Day
Sami, Agioi Fanentes
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of the Holy Mother at Themata
Easter Tuesday
Pilaros, Themata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival at Agrilia
May 1st
Sami, Holy Monastery of Agrilia
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint John Lampadaris
June 24th
Fokata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances, local custom
Folklore festival of the Apostles Peter and Paul
June 29th
Valeriano
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of the Apostles
June 30th
Frikes, Ithaca
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Afales Beach, Marmakas Beach
Folklore festival of the Holy Mother Diotissa
July 1st- 2nd
Lourdata, Dias Islet
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Agios Thomas Beach
Folklore festival of Saint Prokopios
July 8th
Kampitsata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Ephimia
July 11th
Agia Ephimia
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Marina
July 17th
Exogi, Ithaca
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Afales Beach, Marmakas Beach
Folklore festival of Saint Marina
July 17th
Michalitsata, Lixouri Paliki
Traditional food, music, dances
Michalitsata
Folklore festival of the prophet Elias
July 19th - 20th
Razata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Grouspa Cave
Folklore festival of the prophet Elias
July 20th
Kioni, Ithaca
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of the prophet Elias
July 20th
Agrapidies, Fragkata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Polje of Valsamata
Folklore festival of Saint Ephpraxia
July 25th
Aphragia, Tzanata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Anna
July 25th
Lakithra
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Ai- Chelis Beach
Folklore festival of Saint Paraskevi
July 25th
Faraklata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Paraskevi
July 25th
Lepeda
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Paraskevi
July 25th
Xerizomeno, Troianata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Paraskevi
July 25th
Tsiphata, Lourdata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Paraskevi
July 26th
Asprogerakas
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Paraskevi
July 26th
Atheras
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Panteleimon
July 27th
Thenia, Kontogourata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Panteleimon
July 27th
Poulata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Aggalaki Cave
Wine Festival, Perachori
Last Saturday of July
Perachori, Ithaca
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Cave of the Nymphs, Rizes Cave
Folklore festival, Divarata
Last days of July
Divarata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Damage zone of Charakas, Myrtos
Watermelon Festival
Last days of July
Agios Demetrios, Paliki
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Saint Eleftherios
Last days of July
Mount Aenos, chapel of Agios (Saint) Eleftherios
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Carstic erosion of Aenos, Rudists
Sardene festival
July / August
Fokata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Festival of serenades and traditional riganada
First days of August
Vlachata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances, local custom
Agios Thomas Beach
Saristra Festival
First days of August
Old Vlachata
Artistic events, exhibitions, music
Folklore festival of the Savior, Stavros
August 5th- 6th
Stavros, Ithaca
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of the Savior, Sami
August 6th
Grizata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of the Savior, Poros
August 6th
Poros
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Poros Gorge
Folklore festival of the Savior
August 6th
Davgata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of the Savior
August 6th
Travliata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival at Farsa
August 7th
Farsa
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Festival of Harvest and Moustalevria
August 12th
Troianata
Local products, traditional food, music, traditional dances, local customs
Wine Festival, Mantzavinata
Saturday before August 15th
Mantzavinata
Local products, traditional food, music, traditional dances
Xi Beach
Folklore festival of the Holy Mother’ s Day Eve
August 14th
Simotata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Agios Thomas Beach
Folklore festival for the Holy Mother’s Day Eve
August 14th
Anogi, Ithaca
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Menhir of Anogi
Folklore festival for the Holy Mother’s Day
August 15th
Platrithias, Ithaca
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Afales Beach, Marmakas Beach
Folklore festival of the Holy Mother
August 15th
Chionata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of Panagia Lagouvarda or Panagia Fidousa of the snakes
August 15th
Markopoulo
Local products, traditional food, music, traditional dance, local customs
Folklore festival of the Virgin of the lilies or Panagia Gravaliotissa
August 15th
Pastra
Traditional food, music, traditional dances, local customs
Folklore festival of Saint Gerasimos, the patron Saint of Kefalonia
August 16th and October 20th
Omala, Holy Monastery of St. Gerasimos
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Polje of Valsamata
Robola wine Festival
the 1st Saturday after August 15th
Fragata, Valsamata
Local products, traditional food, music, traditional dances
Polje of Valsamata
Folklore festival of Saint Dionisios
August 24th
Livadi, Paliki
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Livadi Wetland
Folklore festival of Saint John
August 28th
Karavomylos
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Karavomylos Lake
Shepherds Festival
Last days of August
Pilaros, Themata
Local products, music, traditional dance
Festival of the Kefalonian meat-pie
Last days of August
Tzanata
Traditional food, music, traditional dance
Argostoli barcarole
August
Argostoli
Traditional music, local custom
Koutavos Lagoon
Assos barcarole
August
Assos
Traditional music, local custom
Lower Cretaceous, Assos
Festival of the Hunters’ Association
Last days of August, first days of September
Mount Aenos, Molou hunting lodge
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Carstic erosion of Aenos, Rudists
Folklore festival of the Holy Virgin in Lamia
September 7th
Dilinata
Traditional food, music, traditional dances
Folklore festival of the Virgin Mary Mirtidiotissa (meaning of the myrtle trees), Drapano
September 24th
Drapano
Traditional food, music, traditional dances, local custom
Gorge of Agia Varvara and Agia Varvara cave - church
Folklore festival of Saints Taxiarches
November 8th
Pastra
Traditional food, music, traditional dances