Aegina in summer is not just beaches and ancient ruins — the island runs a modest but enjoyable calendar of cultural events through July and August, most of them either free or very cheaply priced.
The largest annual event is the Fistiki Fest, held in September to coincide with the pistachio harvest. The festival takes over the port area with tastings, producers selling direct, cooking demonstrations, and music in the evenings. It typically draws visitors from Athens specifically for the weekend, so accommodation books up fast if you plan to attend — worth knowing if September is when you are visiting.
Through the summer months, the open-air cinema in the town operates on weekend evenings, showing a mix of Greek and international films. Seating is informal and the experience of watching a film under the sky with a beer is one of the reliable pleasures of Greek summer anywhere in the country. The screen is near the central square; look for posters in the days before.
Religious festivals (panigiri) are held on the name days of the various village churches and chapels, usually combining an evening liturgy with outdoor eating, live music, and dancing that goes well into the night. The festival at the chapel of Agios Nektarios, near the monastery on the west side of the island, is one of the larger ones, drawing people from across the island.
Photo: Zde / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)