Heraklion Entertainment

...the city features discos and bars; Cretan tavernas with live Cretan music, songs and dances; and a variety of eating and drinking establishments featuring food, music, and folk dances from all over Greece...

During the summer, from June through September, special cultural and artistic events are organized by the Municipality of Heraklion.  They take place throughout the city, especially in the open-air garden theaters under the fortification walls at the southern city gate.  Dancing, music and song, theatrical performances, and traditional folklore are included in these events.  Artists of international caliber have honored these events with their participation, including the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballets, the Opera of Vienna, Joan Baez, Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Chatzidakis, Yiannis Markopoulos, Dave Brubeck, Georges Moustaki, Demis Roussos, Mike Holloway, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, just to name a few.  More events take place during the rest of the year, such as Fine Arts exhibitions, theatrical performances, music and choral concerts, puppet theater shows, and art contests.

For modern recreation and leisure, the city features discos and bars; Cretan tavernas with live Cretan music, songs and dances; and a variety of eating and drinking establishments featuring food, music, and folk dances from all over Greece.  Beautiful beaches can be found, even within walking distance of the center, and a good public transportation system can take you further along the coast to some outstanding beaches offering water sports and plenty of fish tavernas with fresh seafood and the catch of the day.