Last updated: 31 August 2026. This calendar is refreshed periodically — dates not yet confirmed are marked “tentative” below.
From music festivals at the Ανοιχτό Θέατρο to centuries-old village festivals in the hills of Messinia: here’s what’s happening in and around Kalamata over the coming weeks, all within about an hour’s drive.
Flying to Kalamata
Kalamata has its own international airport (Kalamata International Airport, IATA code KLX), about a 10-minute drive from the centre. From the Netherlands and Germany, seasonal direct flights run on select days:
- From Amsterdam with Transavia — seasonal direct flights, typically spring through autumn, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- From Düsseldorf with Eurowings — also a seasonal direct connection.
Outside the season (roughly autumn to spring), direct flights are often suspended; connecting via Athens (with a domestic connection to Kalamata) or driving from Athens (about 2.5 to 3 hours) becomes the alternative.
Note: September is generally a more expensive month to fly, because the Greek domestic summer holiday season is still in full swing.
Price example: September 2026, 2 people with luggage
Measured on 9 August 2026, for 2 people, one 20kg suitcase each, no carry-on trolley. Conditions: return flight from Kalamata (not via Athens) and home by 20 September at the latest; the outbound flight may go via Athens.
Transavia flies Kalamata → Amsterdam only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Within the 20 September deadline, that leaves three return dates: 14, 16 and 19 September. All amounts per person include 20kg checked luggage.
| Outbound | Return from Kalamata | Nights | Per person | 2 people |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 5 Sep · Düsseldorf → Kalamata (Eurowings direct, 13:55–17:55) | Sat 19 Sep · direct to Düsseldorf — best option | 14 | ± €407–431 | ± €815–860 |
| Mon 7 Sep · Amsterdam → Athens (Transavia, €182) | Sat 19 Sep · Kalamata → AMS (Transavia, €300) | 12 | €482 | €964 |
| Tue 8 Sep · Amsterdam → Athens (SKY express, €185, 23kg) | Sat 19 Sep · Kalamata → AMS (Transavia, €300) | 11 | €485 | €970 |
| Sun 6 Sep · Amsterdam → Athens (Transavia, €217) | Sat 19 Sep · Kalamata → AMS (€300) | 13 | €517 | €1,034 |
| Sat 5 Sep · Amsterdam → Kalamata (Transavia direct, €253) | Wed 16 Sep · Kalamata → AMS (€276) | 11 | €529 | €1,058 |
| Sat 5 Sep · Amsterdam → Kalamata (Transavia direct, €253) | Sat 19 Sep · Kalamata → AMS (€300) | 14 | €553 | €1,106 |
| Sat 5 Sep · Amsterdam → Athens (Transavia, €264) | Sat 19 Sep · Kalamata → AMS (€300) | 14 | €564 | €1,128 |
It’s a trade-off between price and nights. If you want the full two weeks, flying via Athens gains you nothing: on Saturday 5 September, the flight to Athens actually costs more (€264) than the one straight to Kalamata (€253). Athens only pays off if you leave later and therefore stay fewer nights — on Monday 7 September it saves €71 per person, but leaves you with 12 nights.
Renting a car for the fly-into-Athens route: pick up in Athens, drop off in Kalamata. Expect a €50–100 one-way surcharge plus a 2h45 drive on arrival day, which eats up a good chunk of that €71 saving.
One-way outbound flights, per person (no luggage)
Transavia flies to Kalamata only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; to Athens daily.
| Day | To Kalamata (Transavia direct) | To Athens (Transavia direct) | To Athens (SKY express direct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 4 Sep | no flight | €224 | — |
| Sat 5 Sep | €189 | €207 | €233 |
| Sun 6 Sep | no flight | €160 | €211 |
| Mon 7 Sep | €173 | €125 | €160 |
| Tue 8 Sep | no flight | €136 | €127 |
| Wed 9 Sep | €156 | €146 | €127 |
| Add luggage | +€64 (20kg) | +€57 (20kg) | +€58 (23kg) |
One-way return flights from Kalamata, per person
| Day | Transavia · Kalamata → Amsterdam | Without luggage | With 20kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 12 Sep | 3h30, direct | €224 | €288 |
| Mon 14 Sep | 3h30, direct | €155 | €219 |
| Wed 16 Sep | 3h30, direct | €212 | €276 |
| Sat 19 Sep | 11:40–14:10, direct | €236 | €300 |
| Mon 21 Sep onward | falls outside the deadline in this example | ||
Monday 14 September stands out as notably cheap: €155 versus €236 on Saturday 19. If nine or ten nights is enough, that’s the cheapest return flight available — for example, outbound Saturday 5 September direct to Kalamata and back Monday 14 September: €472 per person, €944 for two.
Baggage fees
No base fare includes checked luggage. Amounts are per person, per leg.
- Transavia — Basic: only a small bag (40×30×20 cm) under the seat. Smart (+€36): adds a cabin trolley. Plus: 20kg checked bag — €64 to Kalamata, €57 to Athens.
- SKY express — all fares include an 8kg trolley plus a small bag. SKY joy: no checked luggage. SKY joy+ (+€39): 15kg. SKY enjoy (+€58): 23kg. No 20kg option available.
- Eurowings — BASIC: only a small bag (40×30×25 cm). Cabin trolley from €21 per leg. 23kg checked bag from €18 per leg (starting prices, not separately verified at booking).
Note: seats at the lowest price are often limited — Transavia showed “2 to 5 tickets available at this price” on several flights, SKY express even “1 seat left.” For two travellers together, the final price can end up higher than shown. With combined bookings (separate outbound and return tickets, sometimes different airlines), you also have no rebooking protection if the outbound flight is cancelled.
Prices are per person for a one-way economy fare, measured on 9 August 2026. Transavia and SKY express figures come from their own booking screens; Eurowings figures are published starting prices. Airfares change daily — check the current price before booking at transavia.com, flights.skyexpress.gr and eurowings.com.
This week
5–6 September — Kalamata Unfold Festival
Historic centre and Central Market of Kalamata. A two-day international arts festival built around the theme of collective memory, with artists from Serbia, Portugal and Kalamata itself.
- Sat 5 Sep, 10:30: interactive performance with Katarina Rankovic at the Central Market
- Sat 5 Sep, 20:30: open-air film screening at doc cafe (Koutsomitopoulou 6)
- Sun 6 Sep, 20:30: concert at the church of Agii Apostoli — Greek/Eastern songs and Portuguese fado
5–6 September — International Kalamata Music Days (closing weekend)
Kalamata Dance Megaron. The tenth edition of this festival has been running since 24 August and closes this weekend.
5–16 September — Ανοιχτό Θέατρο Καλαμάτας (Open Theatre), concert series
Kalamata’s fixed summer concert venue:
- 5 Sep: Akylas — Press Start Tour
- 6 Sep: Ta Laika tis Kardias Mas — Christos Nikolopoulos, Pitsa Papadopoulou, Stelios Dionysiou
- 7 Sep, 21:00: Katerina Lioliou (tickets €17–25)
- 8 Sep: “Ploutos” by Aristophanes (tentative: likely the summer tour with Markos Seferlis)
- 13 Sep: Kaiti Garbi, with Dimitris Schoinás
- 14 Sep: Giannis Kotsiras, with Myrto Vasileiou & Dimitra Boulouzo
- 16 Sep: Melina Aslanidou
8 September (final day) — Εμποροπανήγυρη Meligalas
Meligalas, about 30 minutes from Kalamata. A traditional market with stalls, food and a funfair, running 4–10 September.
10 September, 21:30 — Filmhouse open-air cinema: “Μεντιανέρας” (Medianeras, 2011)
Vista Marina, Salaminos 8, Kalamata Marina. €5 (€3 reduced, free under 18). Final screening of the summer programme.
Next week
12–18 September — Εμποροπανήγυρη Kyparissia
Kyparissia, about 45 minutes from Kalamata. The region’s largest traditional market: clothing stalls, a funfair on the “144” sports ground, and grill stands spread across several streets.
13 September — 2nd Bike Vertical Challenge
Kampos, West Mani, about 45 minutes from Kalamata. A climbing race for road cyclists through West Mani — also fun to watch as a spectator.
13–14 September — Panigiri Timios Stavros, Petalidi (tentative)
Petalidi, about 25–30 minutes from Kalamata. An annual village festival around the feast of the Elevation of the Cross — for 2026, not yet confirmed by an official source; it’s usually announced locally shortly beforehand.
14 September — “À Paris tous les deux” (tentative)
Kalamata Dance Megaron. Announced as a free cultural programme; date and programme not yet double-confirmed.
Around 19–20 September — Panagia Voulkaniotissa, Messini
The region’s largest religious folk festival. The main day is Sunday 20 September: the icon of the Panagia Voulkaniotissa is received in a grand procession, followed by eight days of veneration and an extensive market in central Messini. In previous years, the solemn transfer of the icon (the káthodos) has always taken place the evening before the main day — for 2026 that would fall on Saturday 19 September. (Tentative for 2026, but a strong indication based on the consistent pattern of recent years.)
Ongoing
- Kalamata weekly market — every Wednesday and Saturday morning, central Kalamata.
- “Georgios Makris” Open Tennis Tournament — Kalamata Tennis Garden, running through September (exact dates not separately confirmed; check tennisgarden.gr).
- Exhibition “Zouzou Nikoloudi: The Methodology as an Act” — Kalamata Dance Megaron, running through September.
Nightlife: bars and beach clubs
For most nightlife venues in Kalamata, party dates are only announced shortly beforehand via Instagram/Facebook. Addresses worth keeping an eye on:
- EGO All Day Exclusive Bar — Kalamata beach
- Nishi (nightclub) — Avramiou, near Messini
- Brooklyn Live Stage — concert venue, Kalamata
- Secada Beach & Resto Bar — Navarinou 232, Kalamata
- Central Lobby — Kalamata
- Kastraki Verga — Verga, near Kalamata
Sources
events.kalamata.gr · kalamatamusicdays.com · artandlife.gr/kalamata/events · messinia.mobi · kalamatatimes.gr · tharrosnews.gr · eleftheriaonline.gr · gargalianoionline.gr · messini.gr · filmhouse.gr · messinialive.gr
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