The old traditions and customs are easy to observe in the local celebrations of the saints of each village; the Panegiria, happening on the name day of the saint whose name was given to one of the churches of the village. The celebration varies according to each village, but typically, it involves long church liturgies attended by local people and those returning to their family village for the ocasion.  

There are many local feast days, especially during the summer months, and it is easy to find one nearby to attend.   Very often the centre of the village will be entirely taken up by the celebration. There is usually an accompanying feast, alongside music and dancing. In Greece, this is known as a Glendi, and can go on all day and well into the night. Traditional Cretan food will be offered, depending on the celebration. Sometimes the glendi takes place the night before, and sometimes after, religious observance.

7 January, Feast of Agios Ioannis (Saint John)

In Kallergi monastery, after mass, there follows an outdoors Panegiri, featuring bands of friends that reside in the region.

2 February, Feast of Hypapante

Celebration of the rural chapel of Hypapante in Amariano followed by rural outdoors Panegiri.

Kathari Deftera (Clean Monday), a movable feast

 Kathari Deftera (known as "Ash Wednesday" in other Mediterranean, primarily Catholic, countries) marks the start of Lent and it is widely celebrated in Greece. Kathari Deftera is a day of picnics, Lenten foods (including unleavened flat bread called "layana") and kite-flying, an activity particularly loved by children. In past times, people made their own kites with considerable skill, now they can be bought everywhere. Many cultural associations of the region organise traditional celebrations of that kind, called koulouma, while the  cultural association of Diavaide organises "apaletia", a traditional local game.

Saturday of Lazarus

The last day of the Lent is the Saturday of Lazarus celebrating his resurrection. This day, in all the villages of the region, children go from house to house, saying "Lazarus", a simple reminder of the history of his death and his Resurrection. 

Good Friday

The residents in Smari tell the "Passions of Christ" in the lanes of this picturesque traditional village.  In the morning the young girls and women of the village decorate the Epitaph (bier) and in the evening the epitaph is carried in procession through the streets of the village, like in any other village or town in Greece. The people are carrying candles and the priest leads the procession singing the lamentations.

Easter Tuesday

In Kastamonitsa village, they celebrate Saint George on this day, in Mesada, a spot of outstanding natural beauty. Many faithful people from the surrounding areas come to honour the Saint, but also to commemorate the slaughter of residents of the region by the Turks. Mass is followed by an outdoor Panegiri where local people celebrate until late in the afternoon.

23 April, Feast of Saint George

Celebrated in the Byzantine rural chapels of Agios Georgios in Lyttos and Agios Georgios o Sfakianiotis in Diavaide and in Agio Giorgi  Kefakioti in Amariano, followed by mass outdoor Panegiria.

June, Chapel of All Saints

Sometime at the beginning of the summer (movable feast) the celebrations of the chapel take place and are followed by a traditional Cretan glenti.

Feast of the Holy Spirit

Panegiri in the traditional settlement of Lagou, in the municipal departments of Kastamonitsa, Amariano and Mathia, celebrations are carried out in the small rural chapel situated at the top of Afentis mountain (1578m) The panoramic view over the whole County of Heraklion and Lasithi Plateau is spectacular for visitors. 

24 June, Feast of Saint John

In Romanito, a region of particular natural beauty, in the evening, the cultural associations, of the wider area they organise the feast of Klidona.  (ancient devination custom , where the girls through specific  rituals find out who they are going to marry).

30 June, Feast of Saint Apostles

The cultural association of Apostles organises Cretan traditional glenti.

7 July, Feast of Saint Sunday

Panegiri in Kastamonitsa, followed by traditional Cretan glenti, with offering of free traditional eftazymo bread.

20 July, Feast of Prophet Elijah

In Smari, in the foot of the Minoan  Akropolis of  Smari, the cultural association organizes big popular Panegiri, followed by a Cretan traditional glenti. Big popular Panegiri is also organized, the same day, in the municipal department of Aski. 

25 July, Feast of Saint Anna

In Geraki, in a very beautiful natural landscape,  in  region of Saint Anna, there is mass, followed by  traditional Cretan glenti  in the square of the village, organized under the direction of the cultural association, offering free of charge, traditional Geraki cheese.

27 July, Feast of Saint Panteleimon

The Byzantine church of Saint Panteleimon is celebrated in Bizariano. The church is located in a glen surrounded by a charming and unique natural beauty. The cultural association of Kastelli organizes, evening of traditional cuisine, prepared by the women of the region.

6 August, Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus

The little church of Afentis Christos  (Lord Jesus) is celebrated in Lyttos where the new grape products are blessed, and offered along with dried sardines while a glenti is happening in the village Evangelismos.

15 August, Feast of the Dormition of Theotokos

The church of Poluthea is celebrated, while the previous night there is a glenti.

In Amariano, also, there is a glenti the previous evening, at the graphic square of the village. 

20 September, Feast of Saint Eustathious

The church of the Saint is celebrated in Amariano followed by free food to the pilgrims. 

4 December, Feast of Saint Barbara

Popular Panegiri, in the rural chapel of Saint Barbara, in Aski.