Carnival in Athens 2025

Athens bursts into colour, music, and celebration as Apokries—Greece’s lively carnival season—takes over the city. From February 6 to March 3, the streets, squares, and cultural hubs of Athens will be filled with parades, live music, dance performances, interactive workshops, and traditional festivities. Expect everything from carnival processions and folk celebrations to children’s events, street parties, and theatrical performances, all leading up to the grand finale on Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera), when locals gather at Philopappou Hill for kite-flying, music, and a traditional feast.

Whether you're joining a costumed parade, dancing to live folk and jazz performances, or exploring age-old customs from across Greece, there’s an event for everyone to embrace the Athenian carnival spirit. Here's the full programme of events:

Tuesday 06/02 – Sunday 16/03

11 am - 4 pm: "The Bride’s Dress," Museum of Folk Art and Tradition "Aggeliki Chatzimichali"
Step into the world of Greek folk embroidery with hand-stitched wedding scenes by sixteen Larissa artisans. Discover the rituals, symbols, and superstitions of a traditional Greek wedding in this unique textile exhibition.

Saturday 15/02

12 pm: Philharmonic Orchestra Musical Walk, Agios Dimitrios Square, Panormou
Follow the Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra as they bring festive carnival tunes to the streets. A vibrant musical stroll to get you in the Apokries spirit!

Sunday 16/02

11 am: Petralona Carnival Parade, Alsos Petralona & Troon Pedestrian Street
Join the locals of Petralona for a lively carnival parade with traditional music, dance, and Apokries customs. Expect vibrant costumes, folk performances, and a percussion-fueled street party by Bloco Swingueira.
11 am: Children’s Carnival Party, Sepolia Metro Station (Antigoni Square)
A fun-filled carnival party for kids with games, face painting, balloon creations, and a piñata.
11 am: Traditional Apokries Dances, Nathaniel Park
Experience the spirit of Greek Apokries with a showcase of traditional dances and customs by the Parent Dance Group of the 39th Primary School of Athens. The event wraps up with an open folk celebration for all.
12 pm: Concert with the Athens Municipality Greek Music Workshop, Plyta Square
Enjoy a live performance of Greek folk and laïko music by the Athens Municipality’s Greek Music Workshop, featuring singers Dora Loizou and Vasilis Skoulas.
12 pm: Traditional Apokries Parade – Lesvos Patinada, Prophet Elias Square, Varnava Square & Eratosthenous
Witness the revival of the traditional Patinada of Lesvos, a lively procession filled with music and dance, presented by the Union of Agriotes of Lesvos and the Cultural Association "O Molyvos."
5 pm: "Masks & Magic" Carnival Celebration, Kypseli Creative Learning Centre
A festive carnival party for kids! Put on your masks and costumes and join the fun with games, music, and plenty of Apokries magic.

Wednesday 19/02

6.30 pm: "These Days Call for Celebration," Kypseli Municipal Market
Experience a vibrant journey through Greece’s dance traditions, from Macedonia to the Aegean and Thrace to the Ionian, with performances by the adult dance groups of the Grava Creative Learning Centre.

Thursday 20/02 (Tsiknopempti – Smoky Thursday)

11 am: Traditional Apokries Parade & Reenactment of the Kordelatoi, Syntagma Square – Ermou – Aiolou – Kotzia Square – Varvakios Market – Monastiraki Square
Watch the streets of Athens come alive with a festive parade and a live reenactment of the Kordelatoi tradition from Naxos at Kotzia Square.
11.30 am: Philharmonic Orchestra Musical Walk, Varvakios Market
Follow the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra as they fill the city’s bustling food market with vibrant Apokries melodies.
12 pm: Concert with the Athens Municipality Greek Music Workshop, Varvakios Market
Catch a midday concert of Greek folk and laïko favourites at Athens’ historic food market, performed by Dora Loizou and Vasilis Skoulas.
7 pm: Live Concert with KogiaMan, Kotzia Square
Head to Kotzia Square for a mesmerizing live set of Greek and Mediterranean sounds, featuring oud, percussion, and kanun.
8.30 pm: Live Concert with Gidiki, Kotzia Square
End your night with an electrifying folk fusion concert, blending traditional Greek and Balkan rhythms with laouto, clarinet, and violin.

Saturday 22/02

11 am: Parade of Carnival Groups & Folk Tradition Reenactments, Kotzia Square – Monastiraki Square
Follow a colourful carnival parade through central Athens as costumed groups (bouloukia) bring Apokries traditions to life with music, dance, and theatrical performances. The celebration culminates in Monastiraki Square with folk dances and reenactments from across Greece.
11 am: Neighbourhood Carnival Walk, Stratigou Kallari – Athanasios Diakos Square (Thymarakia)
Join a lively neighbourhood carnival walk filled with music, costumes, and festive energy, featuring local schools and community groups from the 4th Municipal District.
11.30 am: Children's Carnival Party, Dourgouti Park
Bring the kids for a fun-filled carnival celebration with games, face painting, balloon creations, and a piñata at Dourgouti Park.
12 pm: Neighbourhood Carnival Walk, Kolokynthou – Lenorman – Petroula Square
Join a festive carnival walk through these Athens neighbourhoods, featuring colourful costumes, music, and performances by local schools and community groups.
12 pm: Drumming Carnival Parade with Quilombo, Kypseli Square – Fokionos Negri – Agias Zonis – Platanos Square
Feel the rhythm as the percussion ensemble Quilombo leads a high-energy carnival parade through Kypseli, blending Apokries vibes with Brazilian beats.
12.30 pm: Traditional Dance Performances & Folk Party with Banda Calda, Mesolongiou Square
Enjoy traditional Greek dance performances, followed by a lively folk party with Banda Calda playing Macedonian tunes.
1 pm: Athens Municipality Big Band Jazz Concert, Dionysiou Areopagitou Pedestrian Street
Swing into the carnival mood with a jazz-infused performance by the Athens Municipality Big Band, set against the stunning backdrop of the Acropolis.

Sunday 23/02

10 am: 14th Treasure Hunt, Mets
Join an exciting treasure hunt through the historic neighbourhood of Mets and the First Cemetery of Athens. Organised in celebration of International Tour Guide Day, this adventure unveils hidden stories and artistic treasures in one of the city's most fascinating districts.
11 am: Votanikos Carnival, Petrino – Spyrou Patsi – Votanikos Square
Watch the streets of Votanikos come alive with a colourful parade of local schools, cultural groups, and musicians. The festivities continue at Petrino with live music, jugglers, and traditional Apokries fun.
11.30 am - 2 pm: Children's Carnival Celebration, Zappeion
Bring the kids for a carnival extravaganza at Zappeion, featuring music, dance, stilt walkers, circus artists, a bubble show, group games, face painting, and balloon creations—all set to the festive tunes of the Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra.
12 pm: "Open the Triodio – Dance and Celebrate Everywhere," Plaka & Thissio
Wander through the historic streets of Plaka and Thiseio as the city bursts into celebration with gaitanaki ribbon dances, traditional Apokries performances, and live folk music by the Hellenic Dance Circle – Chorostasi group.
12 pm: "From Skyros to Plaka", Museum of Folk Art and Tradition "Aggeliki Chatzimichali"
Step into the world of Skyrian carnival traditions with an interactive event for families. Meet O Geros, I Korela, and O Fragos, don their bells and masks, and uncover the connection between Skyros and folklorist Angeliki Hatzimichali. (Pre-registration required: 210 3243987, Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm.)
12 pm: Drumming Parade with bb5 Percussion System, Papadiamanti Square – Chalepa Square – Agios Andreas Lamprinis Square
Feel the energy as the bb5 percussion system of the National Technical University of Athens fills the streets with world music rhythms in a vibrant Apokries parade.
12 pm: "Carnival Sounds of Tradition," Melina Mercouri Cultural Centre
Celebrate the sounds of Greek carnival with traditional songs and dances performed by the Exo Kardia choir.
5 pm: "Carnival in the World of Fantasy," Evelpidon Creative Learning Centre
A magical carnival party for kids! Put on your masks and costumes and step into a world of fantasy and fun.
5.30 pm: "Apokries Fun: Imagination, Laughter & Dance!" Agios Pavlos Creative Learning Centre
A joyful Apokries celebration featuring traditional dance performances and theatrical play by the children’s theatre group of the Agios Pavlos Creative Learning Centre.
6 pm: Zakynthian Carnival Walk: Serenades & Folk Dances, From Acropolis Metro to Monastiraki Square
Stroll through the charming streets of Plaka and Monastiraki as the Union of Zakynthians of Athens brings the Ionian carnival spirit to life with kantades (traditional serenades), Zakynthian folk dances, and a lively gaitanaki ribbon dance.

Tuesday 25/02

10 am - 1 pm: Children's Carnival Celebration, Kypseli Municipal Market
A lively carnival celebration for children featuring music, dance, and festive activities, with the participation of local primary schools from the 6th Municipal Community of Athens.
7 pm: "Satirical Songs, Traditions & Carnival Dances," OTE Cultural Centre
Experience the playful side of Apokries with a musical and dance performance by the Traditional Music Orchestra and Dance Group of the OTE Employees’ Cultural Centre of Attica.

Thursday 27/02

10.30 am: Carnival Parade, Attiki Square – Agios Panteleimonas Square
Join the carnival spirit as local schools and cultural groups parade through the streets with music, drumming, and lively performances, bringing Apokries energy to the neighbourhoods of Attiki and Agios Panteleimonas.

Saturday 01/03

11 am: Children's Carnival Celebration, Mayor Dimitris Bei Park
A fun-filled carnival event for kids featuring animators, giant mascots, face painting, and a traditional gaitanaki ribbon dance.
11 am: Children's Carnival Celebration, Agia Aikaterini Square
Enjoy a lively children’s carnival celebration with games, face painting, balloon creations, and a piñata.
11 am: Children's Carnival Celebration, Agios Andreas Lamprinis Square
A festive Apokries gathering with animators, giant mascots, face painting, and a traditional gaitanaki ribbon dance.
11 am: Children's Carnival Celebration, Gkyzi Square
Join a carnival party for kids with games, mascots, clowns, face painting, and balloon creations.
12 pm - 2 pm: "Two Grooms – One Bride" Outdoor Performance, Klafthmonos Square
Watch a unique outdoor performance by the Laïko Zakynthino Theatro of the Union of Zakynthians of Athens, inspired by 17th-century carnival traditions.

Sunday 02/03

11 am: Children's Carnival Celebration, Athanasios Diakos Square (Thymarakia)
A festive carnival event for kids featuring games, mascots, clowns, face painting, and balloon creations.
11 am: Children's Carnival Celebration, Pinelopi Delta Square
Enjoy a lively children’s carnival celebration with games, face painting, balloon creations, and a piñata.
5 pm: Grand Carnival Parade, Syntagma Square – Ermou – Aiolou – Kotzia Square
Experience the grand Athens carnival parade with costumed revellers, stilt walkers, dance performances, and a spectacular Chinese dragon. The Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra sets the rhythm, while live radio broadcasts keep the party going from Syntagma and Kotzia Squares.
7 pm: Live Concert with Decibel Band, Kotzia Square
End the night on a high note with a dynamic live concert by Decibel Band, blending Apokries energy with vibrant tunes.

Monday 03/03 (Clean Monday – Kathara Deftera)

11 am: Koulouma, Philopappou Hill
Celebrate Kathara Deftera in true Athenian style with traditional kite flying, music, and a festive outdoor gathering.
11.30 am: Philharmonic Orchestra Musical Walk, Philopappou Hill
Enjoy a musical stroll through Filopappou Hill as the Athens Municipality Philharmonic Orchestra fills the air with festive tunes.
11.30 am: Traditional Folk Celebration with Lenten Delicacies, Philopappou Hill
Dance, sing, and feast on Lenten delicacies as singer Giota Griva leads a joyful celebration to mark the end of the carnival season.