Custom of the Bey
On the first ten days of March, the custom of the Bey (or Aga), the Turkish official, is revived in the village of Madres. The custom is Halloween, with a playful character and is related to the worship of Dionysus. The Beis, dressed in period clothes, returns to the houses of the village with his entourage on a cart to collect the income tax for the past year. The householder pays the tax (money, wheat and eggs) by offering sweets, snacks and wine. Beys wishes them "a good harvest and a good advance" and continues the collections in other houses. During the Turkish rule, Greeks were only allowed to satirize the tyrant Turks on this day. After the liberation, the custom continued thus celebrating the liberation from the Turks.

Cherry Festival
In Filyria (Goumenissa), on the last Saturday of May, the Cherry Festival takes place, which includes a feast, an orchestra with the brass bands of Goumenissa and traditional dances by local dance clubs. The aim of the celebration is to advertise the product, increase production and further develop the tourism of the place.

Eleftheria
The cultural events of Eleftheria are held every year in June, culminating on the day of the liberation of the city of Kilkis (June 21). The program includes music concerts, exhibitions, speeches, workshops, theater performances... Ms.

Polykastrina
The three days of the Holy Spirit are celebrated by the city of Polykastro with ten days of cultural events that include music concerts, speeches, exhibitions, sports demonstrations, municipal dances, choirs as well as important archery and handball competitions.

Doirani Lake Solidarity - Self-Organization Festival
At the beginning of July, a three-day event is organized with concerts, speeches, screenings, discussions, workshops, bicycle and road races, boating... at Doirani Lake and at the Lake Museum. Organizers are "Eco-Social Action Kilkis" and "Front of Struggle Against Mining in Krusia-Paiko". Camping is available for guests.

Agioneritika-Gavoustima
On July 26-27, three-day festivities are held in Neo Agioneri that are combined with "Gavoustima", that is, the meeting of Cappadocians from all over the world. N.Aioneri was founded, after the exchange of populations, by refugees from Misti of Cappadocia. The events include a watermelon festival, which is produced locally.

"In the Light of the Moon"
From July 1st until the beginning of September, the Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Kilkis organizes the summer festival "Light in the Moon". The events include theatrical, musical performances, exhibitions, speeches...etc.

Gynaikokastria
In Paleo Gynaikokastro, 15 km southwest of Kilkis, the "Gynaikokastria" is organized at the beginning of August. The events are held under the ancient Castle of the village and include traditional dances, food, children's programs (clowns, stilt walkers, jugglers). The traditional Pontic wedding is also being revived.

"Axioupolitika"
These are ten days of festive events that take place in the middle of August in Axioupolis of the Municipality of Paionia. The events include sports competitions (handball, shooting), litany of images, theatrical performances, competitions & theater play for children, dances, concerts...etc.

Sintianka
The Association of Eastern Romulians of Polykastro organizes, every year in the middle of September, a celebration in the center of the city with the lighting of a big fire, a feast, traditional dances and bands. Women in Eastern Rumilia used to gather, hang out on the streets or in houses to chat and weave wool. The term "Sidyanka" means meeting and has been preserved as a custom to this day. In winter, men and women gather at home, make the "night" and sing songs of love and mourning (harmolypi).

International Puppet Theater and Pantomime Festival
It takes place annually in the first ten days of October with the participation of troupes from Greece and abroad. During the Festival there are educational seminars for animators, teachers, workshops for social theater, special seminars for puppeteers, exhibitions of photography and objects, exhibitions on the history of puppet theater...ms.

Barbara's custom
On December 4th, the "Barvara" custom is revived in Xilokeratia of the Municipality of Picrolimni, in the southern part of the Prefecture of Kilkis. This is a Thracian custom, from the Vizia 40 Churches of Eastern Thrace, which has its roots in antiquity and refers to panspermia. Housewives from evening boil wheat with cinnamon, walnuts, figs and other ingredients until it becomes a thick porridge. On the day of the celebration, they put "Varvara" (the kolyvozomos) in a deep dish and must divide it among at least 3 houses. In this way they wish for a good harvest.

Wine Routes in Griva
Since October 1997, the village of Griva participates in the events of the Association of Wine Producers of the Macedonian Vineyard "Wine Routes of Macedonia". Griva is built at an altitude of 470 m at the foot of the eastern slope of Mount Paiko. As part of the events, tourist routes are offered to the visitor in the vineyards of Macedonia, there are guided tours and tastings at wineries in the area.

Editor: Fotini Anastasopoulou