Event· Ios· Greece — Cyclades
Ios Panigyria (Country Fairs)
36° 43.3′ N · 25° 16.9′ E · approximate
Ios's traditional church festivals: all-night feasts of boiled goat, bean soup, violins and dancing in remote chapel courtyards, with everyone welcome.
Practical
Position approx: Chora (the fairs are held across the island). Dates from Visit Ios: Agios Ioannis Prodromos at Pyrgos (the highest mountain), 23-24 June. Agios Ioannis Prodromos at Psathi and Kalamos in late August (the site prints '28 and 20 of August', so verify). Birth of the Virgin at Agia Theodoti and Paleokastro, 7-8 September. Panagia Mersinia, 21 August. Agios Vlasis at Epano Kampos, 11 February. In Chora, the icon of Panagia Gremiotissa is carried in procession through the streets on 15 August. Anchor at Psathi or Agia Theodoti (calm weather) or take a taxi from Gialos.
Best for
Local culture at an authentic island feast
Season
Jun-Sep (main fairs); 15 Aug in Chora