Athens Carnival Celebrations to Peak Over the Weekend

Photo source: Athens Municipality.

Everyone is invited to celebrate the end of Carnival this weekend and Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday) with traditional kite-flying on Filopappou Hill in Athens to the accompaniment of traditional Greek music.

The weekend events through to Clean Monday are free of charge and include a day-long party at the Athens Technopolis which kicks off at 11am, a concert featuring Greek band Locomondo at 1pm followed by performer Toni Sfino. Children will have the chance on Saturday to participate in face painting, mask- and hat-making workshops, a parade and a treasure hunt from 11am to 5pm.

Carnival mask making at the Technopolis. Photo source: Athens Municipality.

In the meantime, carnival happenings, parades and kiddies activities will be taking place around Athens neighborhoods and at parks.

Other events taking place in town on Saturday include a concert by the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra at the Pedion tou Areos Park at 11.30am while song and dance troupes take the streets in Plaka, Thissio and along the Areopagitou walkway at the foot of the Acropolis.

The Athens Big Band will be entertaining Carnival-goers at 1pm at  Monastiraki Square.

Philopappou Hill Clean Monday celebrations. Photo source: Athens Municipality.

This year’s Athens Carnival events come to a close on Filopappou Hill, where true to tradition Greeks will be flying kites and eating the customary “lagana” flat bread.

The Athens Philharmonic Orchestra will set the party mood at 11am to be followed by traditional Greek music performer Gogo Tsamba who will get you dancing in no time,

More info on Athens Carnival events can be found here