Patras Carnival

Known as the carnival of carnivals, it is the largest of its kind in Greece. The people of Patra are so proud of this 180-year-old tradition that no sooner does one carnival end that they begin preparing for next year’s floats. There are parades all over town and the city is filled with the magic of masquerading. Adults and children’s events take place simultaneously and there are parties every night.

For the full program CLICK HERE

Carnival of Xanthi

The Thracian Folk Festival is 50 years old and has a wide number of cultural and artistic events and happenings with the peak being the great Carnival parade due to take place on the final Sunday of the season. For more info, call 25410 73640

CLICK HERE to visit the carnival’s website.

Carnival of Rethymno

The Cretan carnival is breathtaking with parties all over the twon, including the legendary “Treasure Hunt”.

CLICK HERE for the full program.

Carnival of Athens

TUESDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2015
18:00 – 21:00 Sepolia Cultural Center. Carnival fest with traditional dances.
19:00 Kypseli (6th Municipal Community) Carnival Parade with musical instruments, dance and carnival songs by the artistic association “Forms of Expression” (Route: Fokionos Negri for Kanari Square – Drosopoulou)

WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2015
20:00 Melina Cultural Center, “Travelogue of old Athens” exhibition. Music night with songs from the old Athens Soprano Despoina Tsolaki will perform. Saxophonist Kostas Politis, Pianist Chistina Manou, Accordion George Mpelonis. Artistic director and program presentation Alexandros Petrides.

FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2015
19:00 Patisia (5th Municipal Community) Carnival parade with musical instruments, dance and carnival songs at the historical city center by the artistic association Forms of Expression (Route: St. Barbara train station – Koliatsou Square – St. Eleftherios via Patision str.)

SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2015
Melina Cultural Center
12:00 “Travelogue of old Athens” exhibition. Workshop on the carnival mask construction as well as a traditional game on “sugar smudging”.
13:00 “Karagiozis mummer” show from the collection of the shadow theater of the S. Charidimos family. Museum of Folklore Art and Tradition “Aggeliki Hatzimichali”
12:00 “Skyros carnival” – Videoprojection. Revival of Skyro’s carnival customs through the vew of snapshots, from the private file of Mrs. Alice Lambrou, a folklorist and associate of the “Aggeliki Hatzimichali” Museum.
13:00 Pedestrian Street of the Museum of Folklore Art and Tradition. “The momogeroi (the laughing gods) at Hatzimichalis mansion” in collaboration with the Dora Stratou Dance Theatre, the Athens International Dance Council, whereas the Pontian Union from Melissia will scatter traditional carnival notes.
13:30 Monastiraki Square. Carnival concert by the Athens Greek music workshop.
20:00 Art Center – Eleftherias Park. Carnival concert by the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus with Greek serenades and songs from the Greek operetta.

SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2015
Dodecanesean house “Vassilis & Irenes Moscovi”11:00 – 13:30 Tour at the “Dodecanesean House” and educational program on “construction of Halloween mask”.
Registration information at 2105151541  Museum of Folklore Art and Tradition “Aggeliki Hatzimichali” 12:00 Educational program for the whole family on “Carnival Maypole” by the museum’s educators. 13:00 Traditional carnival event in collaboration with the Dora Stratou Dance Theatre and the Athens International Dance Council CID UNESCO.12:00 Plyta Square. Greek traditional concert featuring songs from Smyrna and the Islands by Spiros Polykandriotis and his 4 member orchestra. 13:00 Dionysiou Areopagitou Pedestrian street. Carnival concert by the Athens Big Band. 21:00 Plaka’s Carnival. Carnival parade with musical instruments, dance and carnival songs at the historical city center by the artistic agency Forms of Expression. (route: Acropolis metro station – St. Catherine Square – Filomousou Square – Kydathinaion – Adrianou – Tripodon – Flessa – Lyssiou – Marcus Aurelius – Adrianou – Monastiraki Square)

“CLEAN MONDAY” 23 FEBRUARY 2015
Filopappou Hill – Traditional Lenten Food “Koulouma” (halvas, lagana, olives) along with dance, music and song.
11:00 The Athens Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes the Athenians at the Philopappou Hill entrance.
11:30 The Athens Greek music workshop in collaboration with Nadia Karagianni (Tsertos) and Nikos Karagiannis will perform in concert featuring traditional music.
KAPAPS Park
11:00 “Koulouma” with traditional music in collaboration with the Ano Ampelokipon Cultural Center