Athens Carnival Underway with Events for All

The Greek capital bursts to life with plenty of song and dance as carnival season takes off in its streets, squares and boroughs.

Organized by the municipality’s Culture, Sports and Youth Organization, this year’s activities include everything from concerts and parties to kiddies’ workshops and traditional shadow puppet Karagiozis shows.

Events kick off on Ash Thursday, February 12, in the traditional neighborhood of Plaka at the foot of the Acropolis with revelry galore, while carnival parties take the city by storm.

The Athens philharmonic, big band and choir as well as the Lefteris Grigoriou & Global Daoulia band set the rhythm in the districts of Monastiraki, Kypseli, Thisseion and Agios Pavlos with plenty of music to get carnivalgoers on their feet.

Kiddies get their own party on February 15 at the Zappeion Park, which will include everything from mask making and face painting to games and crafts.

Carnival festivities come to a close on February 23 at Filopappos Hill, central Athens, where young and old celebrate the traditional Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera) feast with lagana flatbread, halva, song and dance.

Press here for the full program of events (in Greek).

Photo source: City of Athens