Lesvos is an enchanting land. Its rich musical tradition, its dances, the island’s festivals and flavours will rouse your senses and transport you to a different time.

The festivals of the island, its popular festivals, are famous for their style and content. Two of their hallmarks are their distinctive features: the bull sacrifice and the equestrian procession of images and sacrificial bulls.

At the ‘Tavros (bull) Festival’ which is organised in many villages, you will have the opportunity to enjoy all of the above. The starting point of the custom is the picturesque chapel of Agios Charalambos on Tavros (bull) mountain, where a bull is sacrificed and the traditional ‘kiskek’ dish is prepared and shared out. The Tavros Festival is one of the most interesting records of surviving pagan worship rituals, excellently interweaved with popular Christian traditions, combining a variety of events intertwined with the bull sacrifice ritual. 

The most famous and famous folk festivals of the island are:

-The festival of Taxiarchis in Mantamados, on the Sunday of the Myrrh Bearers.

-The festival of the Virgin Mary in Agiassos, on the 15th of August.

The festival of Taurus in Agia Paraskevi, the last weekend of June.

There are many events related to the local products of the island, such as:

The sardine festival in Skala Kalloni, every August.

The Pallesvia ouzo festival in Mytilene, Molyvos, Plomari and Perama.

The famous and popular chestnut festival of Agiasos, every November.

The octopus festival in Nea Kydonia.

The cheese festival in Mantamados, in August.

Source: North Aegean Region - https://www.pvaigaiou.gov.gr