If you want to feel the true spirit of Ikaria, you must experience a Panigiri – one of the traditional village festivals bursting with joy and community. These festivals hold deep cultural and spiritual significance, blending religious customs with lively celebration. They are usually held in honor of a saint – especially in the summer, when almost every village hosts its own celebration.
A Panigiri often begins with a church service, after which the village transforms into a vibrant gathering place. Long tables are set up outdoors with local specialties: goat, boiled or stewed, salads, cheese, potatoes, bread – and of course, plenty of the island’s delicious red wine. Everyone eats together, and strangers are welcomed like friends.
At the heart of every Panigiri is the dance. Traditional music with violin and lute accompanies the night, and the famous Ikariotikos dance gets everyone on their feet – young and old, hand in hand, arm in arm, forming ever-growing circles. Dancing, laughing, and singing continue until the early morning hours.
A Panigiri in Ikaria is much more than just a festival. It expresses Ikariotian joy of life, strong community ties, and a culture that celebrates togetherness and the moment. For many Ikarians, Panigiria are a central part of their identity – and for visitors, an unforgettable encounter with the soul of the island.
If you’d like to join in the dance, we offer a dance workshop specially designed to prepare you for a Panigiri:
Here is an overview of the Panigiria in 2026
(in parentheses, the saints in whose honor the festival is celebrated).
We recommend always checking shortly beforehand to ensure the festival will indeed take place.
January:
06.01. Katafygi
07.01. Proespera (Άγιος Ιωάννης/Hl. Johannes der Täufer/St. John)
25.01. Glaredo (Άγιος Γρηγόριος/St. Gregory)
30.01. Xylosyrtis
February:
10.02. Kalamos
23.02. Agios Polikarpos
March:
25.3. Mavrianou (Ευαγγελισμός της Θεοτόκου/Mariä Verkündigung/Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary)
April:
10.4. Agios Polykarpos, Christos (Μεγάλη Παρασκευή/Karfreitag/Good Friday)
13.4. Amalou, Tsouredo, Negia (Δευτέρα του Πάσχα/Ostermontag/Easter Monday)
May:
01.05. Mavrianou (Πρωτομαγιά/Maifeiertag/Labour/May Day)
05.05. Kampos (Αγία Ειρήνη/ St. Irene)
14.05. Armenistis, Pezi (Agios Isidoros/St.Isidor)
21.05. Avlaki, Mavrato (Άγιοι Κωνσταντίνος και Ελένη/St. Konstantin & Helena)
21.05. Fytema (Ανάληψη του Κυρίου/Christi Himmelfart/Ascension of Jesus)
June
08.06. Armenistis
?1.06. Kastanies (Άγιο Πνεύμα/Heiliger Geist/Holy Spirit) κινητή/beweglich/variable
?7.06. Droutsoulas, Trapalou (Αγίων Πάντων/Aller Heiligen/All Saints) κινητή/beweglich/variable
23.06. Negia/Kionio, (Πεντηκοστή/heilige Dreifaltigkeit/Holy Trinity)
24.06. Christos Rahes (Άγιος Ιωάννης ο Πρόδρομος/Hl. Johannes/St. John)
29.06. Pezi (Άγιος Πέτρος και Παύλος/St. Peter & Paul)
30.06. Trapalou (Δώδεκα Απόστολοι/12 Apostel)
July
01.07. Karavostamos, Therma (Άγιοι Ανάργυροι /Agioi Anargyroi)
07.07. Fles in Evdilos (Αγία Κυριακή /St. Kyriaki)
08.07. Proespera
12.07. Agios Dimitrios
14.07. Pezi (Άγιος Απόστολοι/Hl. Apostel/Holy Apostles)
15.07. Ekso Plagia (Άγιοι Κήρυκος και Ιουλίττα/St. Cyriakus & Julitta)
16.07. Katafygi (Αγία Μαρίνα/St. Marina)
17.07. Agios Kirykos, Arethousa (Aghia Marina/Anniversary of Ikarian Revolution of 1912)
20.07. Milopo, Kossikia, Pigi, Glaredo, Profitis Ilias, Karidies, Vrakades (Προφήτης Ηλίας/Prophet Elia/Prophete Elijah)
26.07. Agios Paraskevi/Faros, Xsilosirti, Petropouli, Karavostamo, Karkinagri (Αγία Παρασκευή/St. Paraskevi)
27.07. Avlaki, Agios Polykarpos, Agios Pandeleimonas/Agios Kirykos, Feidos/Evdilos, Myrsonas/Rahes (Άγιος Παντελεήμων/St. Pandeleimon)
August
03.08. Agios Dimitrios
04.08. Dafni
06.08. Christos/Rahes, Kalamos, Frandato, Dafni, Stavlos, Oxe (Μεταμόρφωση του Σωτήρος Χριστού/Verklärung Jesu/Transfiguration)
08.08. Mandria, Kossoikia
??-08. Proespera (Άγιος Ιωάννης/Hl. Johannes/St. John)
09.08. Negia (Prophitis Zacharias)
10.08. Steli/Platani, Amalou, Faros
11.08. Avlaki fish Panigyri (Άγιος Φανούριος/St. Fanourios)
13.08. Magganitis ( Aghia Paraskevi/Aghios Fanarios)
13.08. Fles/Evdilos (Wine Festival)
15.08. Monokampi, Gialiskari, Kouniadoi, Langada, Akamatra, Karavostamo, Kamba/Xylosyrtis, Panagia/Agios Kirykos, Perdiki, Kossoikia, Chrysostomos (Κοίμησις της Θεοτόκου/Maria Himmelfart/Dormition of the Virgin)
18.08. Evdilos
20.08. Vrakades
23.08. Kastanies
27.08. Agios Pandeleimonas/Ag. Polykarpos, Maratho (Άγιος Φανούριος/ Saint Fanourios)
29.08. Mavrato, Prospera ( Αγίος Ιωάνης/Enthauptung hl. Johannes/Beheading of St. John)
September
08.09. Kerame, Plagia (Γέννηση της Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου/Geburt der Gottesmutter Maria/Navity of Virgin Mary)
17.09. Kampos, Monokampi (Αγία Σοφία/St. Sophia)
20.09. Arethousa (Άγιος Ευστάθιος/Saint Eustace)
Oktober
20.10. Perdiki, Oxe (Οσία Ματρώνα/St Matrona)
26.10. Agios Dimitrios/Rahes, Katafygi (Άγιος Δημήτριος/St. Dimitrios)
November
08.11. Ploumari (Taxiarchon)
