OXI Day, meaning “The Day of No” (Oxi or Όχι, which means ‘No’ in Greek), is a significant national holiday celebrated on October 28 in Greece, Cyprus, and by Greek communities around the world. It commemorates the courageous refusal of Greece’s Prime Minister, Ioannis Metaxas, when he denied Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini’s demand to allow Italian troops to enter Greece on October 28, 1940. This bold rejection marked Greece’s entry into World War II and is admired globally as a symbol of bravery and resistance.
On Crete, Ohi Day is celebrated with parades held in most towns, including Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos. Schoolchildren and military personnel march proudly, accompanied by live music and local festivities. If you’re in Heraklion, Kournaros Square is a prime location to view the parade.
Expect road closures and traffic delays, as streets will be blocked for parades, and buses filled with schoolchildren will be transporting participants. In addition to the parades, special Orthodox services are held in the main cathedrals across the island. Note that all archaeological sites, along with most businesses and services, will be closed for the holiday.
Ohi Day is not only a time to celebrate Greece’s historical bravery, but also an opportunity to experience the local culture and pride that defines Crete.
Located in the centre of Heraklio Town, just 2.4 km from Amoudara Beach and 300 metres from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Despina’s Lux apt Downtown provides accommodation with city views and free WiFi. This apartment features accommodation with a balcony.
The air-conditioned apartment consists of 1 bedroom, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a coffee machine, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and slippers. Towels and bed linen are provided in the apartment.
The apartment can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area.
Popular points of interest near Despina’s Lux apt Downtown include Venetian Walls, Municipal Art Gallery and Morosini Fountain. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 3 km from the accommodation.
from
€85
/night
Situated in Heraklio Town, 2.3 km from Amoudara Beach and 100 metres from the centre, Loggia Suites by Good Life features air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and free bikes.
The apartment provides guests with a terrace, garden views, a seating area, cable flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with a toaster and a fridge, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and bathrobes. A stovetop and kitchenware are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Loggia Suites by Good Life offers a continental or Italian breakfast.
A car rental service is available at the accommodation, while cycling and hiking can be enjoyed nearby.
Popular points of interest near Loggia Suites by Good Life include Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Venetian Walls and Loggia. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 3 km from the apartment, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€113
/night
Right in the centre of Heraklio Town, set within a short distance of Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Venetian Walls, Jacuzzi suite Piazza dei Leoni offers free WiFi, air conditioning and household amenities such as a microwave and kettle. Including a terrace, this apartment also has a restaurant.
The apartment has 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with city views.
The apartment can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area.
Jacuzzi suite Piazza dei Leoni offers a hot tub.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Loggia, Municipal Art Gallery and Morosini Fountain. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 3 km from Jacuzzi suite Piazza dei Leoni.
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€143
/night
Set in the centre of Heraklio Town, 2.5 km from Amoudara Beach and 300 metres from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Opsis city suite M offers free WiFi, a terrace and air conditioning. This apartment is 6.8 km from The Palace of Knossos and 17 km from Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos.
The 1-bedroom apartment is fitted with a living room with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fully equipped kitchen with oven and microwave, and 1 bathroom with a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment.
Popular points of interest near the apartment include Venetian Walls, Municipal Art Gallery and Morosini Fountain. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 3 km from Opsis city suite M.
from
€99
/night
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15th is one of the most significant holidays in the Greek Orthodox calendar, celebrating the “falling asleep” and Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Neapoli hosts the largest festival in the prefecture, attracting thousands of visitors and Cretan musicians.
Celebrations begin on August 14th with a cycle race and a long-distance run ending in Neapoli’s central square. After the evening church service, young men race up and down the steep mountainside to the Timios Stavros summit. The square transforms into a lively party with traditional singing, dancing, live music, and a market offering toys, icons, and clothing, continuing into the early hours.
On August 15th, a lengthy church service is followed by a grand procession of the Virgin Mary’s icon through the town, accompanied by priests, dignitaries, and the Neapoli Town Band. The festivities, combining religious, sporting, and cultural events, make this a unique and vibrant two-day celebration.
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.
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