With a multitude of carnival activities with free entry, the City of Athens unwinds the colorful carnival from the downtown area to every neighborhood of the city. This year, from 15 February to 3 March 2025, Athens is dressed in colour.
In his message, the Mayor of Athens, Harris Dukas, notes: “I invite you to celebrate the Carnival together in Athens for 17 days. This year, tradition meets everyday life, filling the squares and streets with colour, music and dance in 50 different locations with 72 unique events. From Kypseli to Pagrati, from Plaka to Koukaki, Agios Pavlos and Plato’s Academy, every part of the city becomes a place of meeting, fun and expression for young and old alike. See you in Athens and on Carnival. Have fun to all!”
The President of OPANDA, Eleni Zontirou, states: “I would like to express my thanks to the Municipal Communities, the schools, the local associations, who contributed to the organization of this great celebration, and above all to you, our fellow citizens, who with your vitality and cheerfulness make it more glamorous every year”.
On Tsiknopempti,Thursday 20 February, Carnival starts in the morning from Syntagma and spreads to Monastiraki and the surrounding streets, with a customary route by the Cultural Society of Orchestral Art “Bacchae” and a re-enactment of the custom of the Cordellata of Naxos in Kotzias Square. The traditional tsiknisma in Varvakeio will be accompanied first by the melodies of the Philharmonic Orchestra and then by a folk feast with the Greek Music Workshop of the Municipality of Athens. In the evening, the audience will be entertained at Kotzia Square with a unique concert with KoYaMan and Guidiki.
Throughout the Carnival, the Art Gallery, the Arts Centre, the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hadjimichalis”, the Digital Museum of Plato’s Academy, the Cultural Centre “Melina”, the Libraries and the Creative Learning Centres of the Municipality of Athens, as well as the Children’s Museum of Athens, welcome children and their families to participate in a variety of activities that combine art and creation with the Carnival tradition.
The fun culminates with confetti at the carnival children’s parties at the Creative Learning Centres, the squares of Agia Ekaterini, Agios Andreas Lambrini, Agios Pavlos, Athanasios Diakou (Thymarakia), Gyzi, Penelope Delta, Antigonis in Sepolia and the parks of Mayor Bey and Dourgouti.
The children’s traditional appointment to the biggest carnival celebration at Zappeion is on Sunday, February 23rd, where the fun takes off with music, dancing, circus artists, bubble show, games, face painting, balloon constructions and many surprises, accompanied by the sounds of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens.
In this year’s event, the great participation of schools, associations, organizations and residents from the seven municipalities stands out. Cultural clubs and groups from various regions of our country, bring the carnival in Athens to life with the re-enactment of customs. The Union of the Agriotes of Lesvos – Agios Dimitrios will revive the custom of the Patinada of Lesvos in the courtyard of the Museum of the Basil and Elise Goulandris Foundation (16.02). Carnival bouloukia from the International Dance Council – Athens Department will re-enact events and dances in Monastiraki Square (22.02), the Association “Thracians of Athens” will present the custom of Kiopec Bay in Monastiraki Square (23.02), while the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hadjimichali” will present the Carnival of Skyros (23.02).
The carnival celebration ends on Sunday 2 March with a parade and an amazing show in the city centre, organized by the Municipality of Athens in cooperation with the Athens Chamber of Commerce. The event will be musically dressed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens, the radio stations 95.2 Athens DeeJay and 92.3 Lambda broadcasting live from Syntagma and Kotzia squares, respectively, and the Decibel Band with a concert of great hits from the pop and rock Greek scene of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to the present day.
On Good Monday 3 March, against the backdrop of the colourful kites of the Attic sky, we meet at Philopappos Hill, the landmark for the celebration of Lent in the city. The audience is welcomed by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens, while the music is provided by Giota Griva, who promises a genuine folk feast.
See the program of the carnival events of the City of Athens at: https://www.opanda.gr/images/
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