The lively and rhythmic Athenian Carnival is coming again this year to sweep the city’s neighborhoods into the pulse of the carnival, with its traditional street parties spreading across squares, streets, and cultural venues in the seven municipal communities.

The program of events, organized by the Organization for Culture, Sports, and Youth of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA), will run until February 23.

The Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, said: “Athens celebrates Carnival with a rich program aimed at the whole family and especially young carnival-goers. From Kypseli to Petralona and from Zappeion to Kotzia Square, 65 events in 50 different locations await us, inviting us to have fun, get together again, and take a break from everyday life. Parties in all neighbourhoods of the city, educational activities for children, concerts, music, dancing and activities with a strong traditional flavour. We invite you to fill the squares of Athens with music, optimism and a festive mood.”

Tsiknopempti with music and the aroma of tradition at Varvakeio

The celebration of Tsiknopempti, on February 12, begins in a traditional atmosphere with the carnival parade organized by the Cultural Association of Orchestral Art “Bacchae.” Starting at Syntagma Square at 11:00 a.m., it will end at Kotzia Square, where the custom of the Kordelata of Naxos will be reenacted. The focus of the day’s events is once again Varvakeios, with the Athens Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra setting the tone at 11:00. This will be followed by traditional dances performed by adult groups from the Creative Learning Centers of the Municipality of Athens. The Greek Music Workshop will then take over the musical baton for a unique folk concert.

Children set the pace for Carnival

The incredible little masqueraders are the stars of the carnival. The city welcomes them to cultural venues and neighborhoods to participate in educational programs that combine tradition, knowledge, creativity, and fun, but also to revel in wild carnival parties. The Creative Learning Centers, the Art Gallery, the Arts Center, the Children’s Museum of Athens, and the Libraries of the Municipality of Athens organize special children’s carnival activities: art programs, creative workshops, theater for the whole family, and more.

And, of course, children have their usual rendezvous at Zappeion on Sunday, February 15, at 11:00 a.m., where they will revel in the most colorful carnival celebration, “The Carnival of the World,” with lots of music, dancing, stilt walkers, games, face painting, balloon creations, a Chinese dragon, and many surprises.

Music in every neighborhood

Music dominates the city throughout the entire Carnival season.

The Philharmonic Orchestra, the Big Band, and the Greek Music Workshop of the Municipality of Athens will be performing at various locations throughout Athens. Percussion ensembles will fill the streets with carnival rhythms, while traditional groups with drums, clarinets, violins, and accordions will accompany the customary routes. The program also includes special concerts with carnival and satirical songs, as well as Zakynthian serenades that will transport us to other eras.

Greek carnival tradition

Cultural associations and unions of Greeks everywhere will revive customs from every corner of Greece: the Kordelata of Naxos, the Wedding of Flambouras of the Sarakatsani, traditional dances, and much more. The Angeliki Hatzimichali Museum of Folk Art and Tradition will host the painting exhibition “Pame san allote…” until April 19, which nostalgically revives life in the tiled taverns and neighborhoods of Old Athens.

Carnival Sunday in the city center

Sunday, February 22, marks the culmination of the Athenian Carnival celebrations. We bid farewell to the carnival with a grand carnival parade that will culminate in an amazing party, co-organized by the Municipality of Athens and the Athens Chamber of Trades and Professions. The parade will start at 5:00 p.m. from Syntagma Square. Carnival participants, dance groups, and percussion bands will cross Ermou and Aeolou streets, heading for Kotzia Square, where a big carnival party with live music and host Dimitris Makalias will unfold at 7:00 p.m. The Athens Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra will provide the musical accompaniment for the start of the parade, while throughout the parade, the musical groups Bloco Swingueira, Global Daoulia, the cultural association “O Molyvos,” and the Greek Cheerleaders team will keep the rhythm going. The radio station Lamsi 92.3 will broadcast live, and Athens DeeJay 95.2 will broadcast carnival rhythms.

Clean Monday on Filopappou Hill

On Clean Monday, February 23, Filopappou Hill is a timeless meeting place for Greek Koulouma celebrations and kite flying. Under the colorful Attic sky, the Athens Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra will welcome the public with its melodies from 11:00 a.m. At 11:30 a.m., there will be a traditional island feast with the band of Nikos Oikonomidis.

More Information at www.opanda.gr.