SANTORINI LOCAL EVENTS

One of the bigger events of island is the Representation of the volcanic eruption. Each year in late August, the Municipality of Thira organises the representation the volcanic eruption. The sky fills with thousands of fireworks and flashlights, accompanied from deafening noises so that can give the sense of a real volcanic eruption. Thousands of visitors watch this unique spectacle. Evenings is followed by a concert featuring prominent Greek artists.
In the island athletic events takes place in the memory of Emmanouil Chalari, an important athlete from Santorini. The events are named “Chalaria”.

During the summertime, in Akrotiri, a traditional Santorini wedding is organized.
On Good Friday, in the village of Pyrgos, locals ignite hundreds of tins stuffed with petrol-soaked rags as the Epitaphios is carried in procession through the village. The extraordinary sight is visible around the island. The spectacle is visible from the whole island because of the location of the village which is built on a hill. On Easter Sunday, many villages organize mock popular courts that sentence to death, and then burn in effigy, the Ovrios (a rag doll in human form).
The residents need for faith has created, through the years, hundreds of churches and chapels, which are active until today and honoured each year with festivals and celebrations. Santorini is renowned for its celebrations, folk festivals combining the observance of religious feast days with a communal feast featuring food, wine, and music. Islanders are faithful in their observance of these customs, which is in keeping with their devotion to the church and its traditions.  

One of the bigger festivals is the Feast of Sotiros in Pyrgos. According to custom, young villagers steal potted basil plants from the gardens of households with young women and use the plants to decorate the church yard.
Each year in Firostefani, the festival of Ayios Yioryis Sfouggatas takes place. According to a local tradition, villagers prepare and share the kamponosfouggato, an omelette made with kampounes and other wild greens.
Between Imerobigli and Oia located on the caldera’s rim is the beautiful chapel of Agios Eftapedes. Each year residents and visitors of the island visit the chapel in order to celebrate and enjoy the amazing view. The chapel is accessible only by boat.