Agios Nikolaos harbor to host “Cretan Cooking Festival 2026” on September 24

The Municipality of Agios Nikolaos will hold “Cretan Cooking Festival 2026” (Cretan Cooking Festival) at the town’s harbor on Thursday, September 24, 2026, starting at 18:30, to mark World Tourism Day, organizers announced.

The event brings together tourism and hospitality professionals, cultural associations, local producers and traditional performers, according to the municipality. Organizers said the aim is to promote Cretan gastronomic culture and highlight the region’s culinary identity, turning the harbor into what they described as a working gastronomic and cultural space for the evening.

Deputy Mayor for Tourism Antonis Mavris outlined the festival’s goals at a press conference held on September 16 at the Agios Nikolaos town hall. “World Tourism Day is the ideal opportunity for the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos to showcase our greatest ambassador — authentic Cretan hospitality and gastronomy,” Mavris said. He added that the festival aims to put local production “in the foreground” and give visitors what he called a genuine, hands-on experience with Cretan flavors, products and traditions rather than a passive one.

According to Mavris, the participation of Cretan businesses in the event has been voluntary and enthusiastic, which he said reflects the local market’s willingness to actively support the island’s international outreach.

Workshops and invited guests

Organizers said visitors will be able to take part in hands-on experiences designed to introduce them directly to Cretan food products, native varieties and flavors, rather than simply observing.

Mavris said the president of the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT), Angela Varela, has been invited and is expected to attend the event.

Musical program

The festival will include performances by traditional musicians, according to the municipality. Scheduled acts include the ensemble of Manolis Rasidakis, the traditional music group of the Lasithi Music School, and the Lyceum Club of Greek Women of Agios Nikolaos.

The festival is one of a number of events planned across Crete around World Tourism Day, according to local organizers.