People of Antiparos could not be different than the other Cycladic locals, who all love traditions and festivals, dancing and singing. Although the island is small, every year several grandiose events and festivals are organized to celebrate the Saints, aiming to introduce young people and the visitors to the local traditions and customs that vigorously resist the course of time and the influence of the contemporary challenges.

Some of the most well known festivals organized on the island are on May 7th at Ai Giannis Spiliotis.  At the entrance of the cave is organized a large feast, with traditional dances, while attendants are offered treats.

On June 23 & 24, the custom of Kleidonas revives in commemoration of Agios Ioannis Kleidonos.  The dance group of Antiparos revives the custom that tends to vanish, dancing and singing at the port.   This custom was very common around Greece with several alternatives and it has been very popular among small societies.
On the eve of celebration the “Maides” from all the houses were collected and large fires were put on at the village squares and everybody would gather around singing and jumping over the fire.
At the same time the girls of the village would gather in the house and fill the “paliatsa” (a pot with lugs and a very wide neck) with water, in which they put several objects, such as an apple with the initials of a girl or something else that could be recognize whose it was, and covered the pot with a red cloth.  The purpose was to find out who they would marry.
The next day they covered the eyes of a little girl and asked her to take the objects out of the pot one by one and give it to the girls sitting our the pot singing. “Open Klidonas on Ai Giannis and whoever is lucky shall take his apple” or other lyrics that most of the times were improvised.
Then they would fill their mouth with the “still water” from paliatsa and get out in the streets.  The first male name they would hear, would be the name of the young man that they would marry.

On July 17th the name day of Aghia Marina is celebrated with a three–day festival at the port of Antiparos with dancing, singing, sport events and competitions, while treats are offered to all attendants.
These events include among others, on the first day the onset of the sailing competitions, the tradition with the 150m swimming, cycling of 4km and the running of 1km.
Moreover, international coaches give lectures and award prized to the winners, while the music and dancing group of Antiparos escorts the events.
On the 2nd day is the 2nd day of the sailing race and the Grand festival.  Other events also take place, such as the concert of the philharmonic orchestra, the award of honorary prizes and a theatrical play about Greek traditions.   Follows a musical concert with rich island and popular content.     
On the third day, the actual name day of Aghia Marina the Holly Icon of the Saint is processed, the running race of 2200 meters and 10000 meters start, while the awarding of the medals follows.

On July 27th is organized the festival of Aghios Panteleimon at Kampos with dancing, singing and treats for everyone.
On September 7, a festival takes place at the chapel of Panagia Faneromeni, at the other side of the island, where access is possible only by small boats.

It is certain that during your stay or visit to the island, you will have the chance to meet the hospitality and traditions of Antiparos.