If you travel to Crete during the summer months, attending a local panigiri (village feast day celebration) offers a fantastic way to experience authentic Cretan culture firsthand. Held to honor patron saints, these open-air village festivals feature live music led by the Cretan lyra (a three-stringed bowed instrument) and louto (lute).

Locals of all generations join hands in rhythmic line dances like the energetic Pentozali and Maleviziotikos. Long communal tables are filled with roasted meats, wine, and raki, welcoming visitors to join in the festivities well into the night.