Rethymnon combines modern and traditional entertainment harmoniously, and the events you can attend are varied and can satisfy the most disparate tastes. If you happen to be in the city in winter, during Apokries (Carnival), you will have the opportunity to enjoy the Rethymnian Carnival and at the same time treasure hunt, traditions that are carefully preserved by the locals.
If, on the other hand, you're spending your summer holidays in the area, you will be enchanted by the feasts organised by the locals, with the sound of the lyra and mandolin, local dances performed by young men and women, or bands in traditional costume, in perfect harmony and grace with the music.
You will often encounter such feasts, as the Rethymnians are famous for their "kef" (joie de vivre) and appetite for fun, and never miss a chance to enjoy this sort of activity, at weddings and baptisms, religious festivals, saints' days, or even for no apparent reason, within the excuse of'cultural events'.
On these occasions, you will become party to the kefi, as it grows among the groups of locals, with wine - nectar to say the truth - flowing plentiful, with raki following it, delectable food and tasty sweets.
Don't be afraid of the gun-shots, the so-called "balothies", which bring a climax to the celebrations and contribute (?) to the festive atmosphere.
Of particular folkloric value are the "rizitika" songs (traditional verses), emotively sung by singers or the older guests.
Sometimes the participants will organise an improvised "mantinada" (rhyming verses) competition over the microphone, a very amusing event and enjoyable in the resourcefulness of the participants. Acclimatise yourselves as fast as possible, and the situation will reward you in the best possible way, as you will witness events that you will remember and recount for years to come. In July, seek out the wine festivals.
The cultural events organised by the municipality are held in August and include concerts by famous Greek artists, theatrical performances, children's shows
(puppet theatre, shadow theatre, ballet, etc.) and Renaissance musical performances that take place at dawn, in idyllic surroundings... The sweet melodies of the mandolin, the narration of moving stories in verse will enchant you, taking you to distant lands and you will overflow with romantic, tender sentiments. A voyage of dreams... Loudovikos ton Anogion, Chainides, Psarantonis, and other important troubadours of popular traditional music will magically lead you into a fairy-tale world, under the pale starlight, until first light, until dawn. The city of Rethymnon, with respect to tradition and the customs of its ancestors, makes sure it revives as many of the ways of the past as possible.
You will be lucky to attend the celebrations of Agios loannis of Klidonas in June, where an ancient custom is revived. It has to do with young unmarried people seeking the "writings of destiny" regarding their future companion... A nautical week is also organised in the city, during which there are different events every night, boat-trips, fishing evenings, and the fishermen's feast, with the indispensable Cretan "glenti" celebration.