Athens will be filled with music, rhythm, dancing, and festive spirit during this year’s Carnival celebrations. Once again, the City of Athens invites residents and visitors of all ages to experience the joy of Carnival through 65 events hosted at 50 different locations throughout the city.

A City-Wide Carnival Celebration

“Athens celebrates Carnival with a rich program designed for the whole family, especially our youngest carnival-goers. From Kypseli to Petralona, and from Zappeion to Kotzia Square, 65 events across 50 locations invite us to come together, have fun, and take a break from everyday life. Neighborhood parties, educational activities for children, concerts, music, dance, and events deeply rooted in tradition. We invite everyone to fill Athens’ squares with music, optimism, and festive energy,” said Athens Mayor Haris Doukas.

The President of OPANDA, Roxani Bei, added:
“This year, we created a series of activities where tradition meets the modern city, bringing Carnival customs from every corner of Greece into the squares and parks of our municipal communities. What makes me especially happy is that every neighborhood will have its own children’s celebration. Carnival comes to them—right to their square and their park.”

Tsiknopempti at Varvakios Market: Music and Tradition

Wednesday, February 12

Carnival festivities begin on Tsiknopempti with a traditional ceremonial procession by the ‘Bacchae’ Cultural Society of Dance Art. Starting at Syntagma Square at 11:00, the procession will end at Kotzia Square, where the Kordelatoi custom of Naxos will be reenacted.

The Varvakios Market will once again be at the heart of the celebrations. At 11:00, the Athens Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra sets the rhythm, followed by traditional dances performed by adult groups from the city’s Creative Learning Centers. The musical baton is then passed to the Greek Music Workshop, which will present a unique folk concert.

Children Set the Carnival Rhythm

Children are the true stars of Athens Carnival. Cultural venues and neighborhood spaces host educational and creative programs combining tradition, learning, creativity, and fun. Activities include costume parties, workshops, theater performances, and art programs.

The Creative Learning Centers, Athens Municipal Gallery, Arts Center, Athens Children’s Museum, and Municipal Libraries organize special Carnival events such as art workshops, family-friendly theater, and creative labs.

At the same time, Carnival children’s festivals will take place in squares and parks across all municipal districts, featuring music, dancing, face painting, balloon art, and traditional maypole games.

A highlight for young revelers is “The Carnival of the World”, held at the Zappeion on Sunday, February 15, at 11:00. The event includes music, dance, stilt walkers, games, face painting, balloon constructions, a Chinese dragon, and many surprises.

Music in Every Neighborhood

Music dominates Athens throughout the Carnival season. The Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra, Big Band, and Greek Music Workshop perform across the city. Percussion ensembles fill the streets with carnival rhythms, while traditional groups with drums, clarinets, violins, and accordions accompany ceremonial routes.

The program also includes special concerts with satirical Carnival songs and Zakynthian kantades, offering a nostalgic journey into Greece’s musical past.

Greek Carnival Traditions Revived

Cultural associations from across Greece revive traditional customs such as the Kordelatoi of Naxos, the Flamboura Wedding of the Sarakatsani, and various traditional dances.

At the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hatzimichali”, the painting exhibition “Like in the Old Days…” runs until April 19, nostalgically depicting life in the taverns and neighborhoods of Old Athens.

Carnival Sunday in the City Center

Sunday, February 22

The peak of Athens Carnival arrives on Carnival Sunday, with a grand carnival parade culminating in a massive party co-organized by the City of Athens and the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The parade begins at 17:00 in Syntagma Square, moving through Ermou and Aiolou Streets toward Kotzia Square. At 19:00, a large Carnival party unfolds with live music, hosted by Dimitris Makalias.

The parade opens with the Athens Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra, while groups such as Bloco Swingueira, Global Daoulia, the cultural association “O Molyvos”, and the Greek Cheerleading Team keep the energy high. Radio stations Lampsi 92.3 and Athens DeeJay 95.2 will broadcast live Carnival rhythms.

Clean Monday at Filopappou Hill

Monday, February 23

On Clean Monday, Filopappou Hill remains the city’s traditional meeting point for Koulouma celebrations and kite flying. Under the colorful Attic sky, the Athens Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes the public from 11:00, followed at 11:30 by a traditional island-style celebration with Nikos Oikonomidis’ band.