Matala Beach Festival celebrates music, freedom, and the spirit of community. Set against the iconic caves of Matala, it brings together people of all ages for three days of live performances, beach energy, and shared moments. Matala Beach Festival 2027 is taking place from Thursday June 18th to Sunday June 20st 2027 on Matala’s main beach.
But the Matala Beach Festival is not just about the music; it’s a celebration of unity, freedom, and the indomitable spirit of human connection. It’s a place where strangers become friends, where barriers are broken, and where love and acceptance reign supreme.
The Matala Beach Festival is one of Europe’s biggest free music festivals.
In June 2011 the Festos Municipality threw a festival on the beach to celebrate the launch of the ‘Myth of Matala’ book featuring photos of the hippie cave residents during the 60s & 70s. It was a hippie reunion. 35,000 people heard about it and flocked to Matala beach.
In June 2012 over 58,000 people visited the festival weekend and the word is quickly spreading. It was a huge success as free events which brought together music and arts fans from all generations together on the beach beneath the caves to celebrate peace, love and happiness.
Matala Beach Festival 2013 introduced to 70.000 people the meaning of LIFE! In June 2013, they have invited Harry Keyworth to be the first solo artist to drive the Road To Matala Tour along the original ‘hippie trail’ of the 1960s and 1970s.
Overland from London to Crete in the VW Beetle. The tour culminated in Harry performing on stage at Matala Beach alongside artists including Hugh Cornwell, former frontman of The Stranglers, The Doors Tribute, Janis Joplin Tribute, Locomondo, Pink Floyd Tribute, Tonis Sfinos and many more!
During the Matala Beach Festival, there are several accommodation options available in and around Matala. You can camp for free at Matala campsite. It offers basic services on a large 40,000 m2 area next to Matala beach. It’s a low-cost option with showers, toilets, and hot water, allowing visitors to experience the “Myth of Matalas” like in hippie times in the 60s and 70s. It’s important to note that the campsite offers basic services and may have limited capacity, so it’s advisable to arrive early to secure a spot.
You can also check the following hotels in the area:
Learn more about Matala village.
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Set in Matala, a few steps from Matala beach and 1.1 km from Red Sand Beach, Διαμέρισμα Villa Iro offers air conditioning. It has a garden, mountain views and free WiFithroughout the property.
The apartment with a balcony and sea views features 1 bedroom, a living room, a TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a hot tub. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
A car rental service is available at the apartment.
Phaistos is 12 km from Διαμέρισμα Villa Iro, while Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 15 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 64 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Located in Matala, just a few steps from Matala beach, Teacher’s Apartment provides beachfront accommodation with free WiFi. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.1 km from Red Sand Beach.
The apartment with a balcony and sea views features 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
A car rental service is available at the apartment.
Phaistos is 12 km from Teacher’s Apartment, while Museum of Cretan Ethnology is 15 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 64 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Situated in Matala and only 100 metres from Matala beach, ROOF GARDEN SUITE features accommodation with sea views, free WiFi and free private parking. This apartment provides air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace.
The apartment has 1 bedroom, a flat-screen TV with streaming services and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, an oven, a washing machine, a microwave and a toaster.
Red Sand Beach is 1 km from the apartment, while Phaistos is 12 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 64 km from ROOF GARDEN SUITE.
from
€143
/night
Ageliki Studio is an accommodation located in Matala, a few steps from Matala beach and 700 metres from Red Sand Beach. This property offers access to a balcony and free WiFi.
The air-conditioned apartment consists of 1 bedroom, a kitchenette with dining area, and 1 bathroom with shower. Towels and bed linen are offered.
Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at the apartment, while hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
Kommos Beach is 1.8 km from Ageliki Studio. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 71 km from the accommodation.
from
€85
/night
The Traditional Strata is a music and dance event held by the Municipality of Chania on Tuesday evenings through the summer. The Traditional Strata gathers more than 1,500 dancers and musicians from over 20 traditional associations, from across Crete and other countries, who move through the narrow streets of Chania’s old town in traditional costume.
In 2026, the event runs on Tuesdays from June for several months, and August 11, 2026 is one of the listed dates. Each evening follows the same route through Chania Old Port and begins at 8:00 PM.
The Traditional Strata is a procession of music, dance, and song organized by the Municipality of Chania. The Traditional Strata represents the customs of Chania through costumes, instruments, and vocal performances from member associations, including groups from Crete and international regions.
The Strata takes place on Tuesday evenings from June for several months in 2026, and August 11, 2026 is one of the scheduled dates. The programme begins at 8:00 PM, so early evening is the time to arrive.
The procession follows one route through Chania Old Port each evening, in three stages. The main stages of the evening are listed below.
The harbour and squares of the old town fill with spectators on Strata evenings, and the surrounding tavernas make the event easy to combine with dinner. For more on the area and where to stay, see the guide to Chania.
The Traditional Strata is a traditional music and dance event organized by the Municipality of Chania. More than 1,500 performers from over 20 associations parade through the old town in costume.
The Strata runs on Tuesday evenings from June for several months in 2026, and August 11, 2026 is one of the listed dates. The evening programme starts at 8:00 PM.
The Strata takes place in Chania Old Port and the streets of the old town. It begins at the Neorio Moro Chania Sailing Club and ends at Cathedral Square by the Trimartiri Cathedral.
The Municipality of Chania organizes the Traditional Strata. Member associations from Crete and other countries take part.
More than 20 traditional associations take part, with over 1,500 dancers and musicians in total. The groups include performers from Crete and international regions.
Rethymno Rocks! #5 returns to Fortezza Castle from 27 to 30 August 2025 with four nights of live rock and metal. Fans created the festival for fans, bringing leading acts and diverse sounds to one of Greece’s main summer stages.
Tickets for Thursday, Friday and Saturday start at €20 (£17, $22) and are available online.
Chaniartoon – International Comic & Animation Festival was started in 2017.
Since then the festival has been embraced by locals and by people from around the world with short animation entries from all corners of the globe. The animation films are viewed at the open air cinema of the Municipal Garden.
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