With a multitude of free Carnival activities, the Municipality of Athens unfolds the colorful carnival from the center to every neighborhood of the city. This year, from February 15 to March 3, 2025, Athens is dressed in colors.
The rich program of events has been curated by the Culture, Sports, and Youth Organization of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA) with the support of the Development Company for Computerization and Operational Units of Local Governments of the Municipality of Athens (DAEM S.A.).
In his message, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, notes:
“I invite you to celebrate Carnival together in Athens for 17 days. This year, tradition meets everyday life, filling the squares and streets with color, music, and dance in 50 different locations with 72 unique events. From Kypseli, to Pagrati and from Plaka to Koukaki, Agios Pavlos, Plato’s Academy, every part of the city becomes a place of meeting, entertainment, and expression for young and old. See you in Athens and Carnival. Have fu,n everyone!
The President of OPANDA, Eleni Zontirou, says:
“I want to express my gratitude to the Municipal Communities, the schools, and the local clubs, who contributed to the organization of this great celebration, and above all to you, our fellow citizens, who with your liveliness and joy make it brighter every year.”
We celebrate Tsiknopempti in the morning in Syntagma, Monastiraki, and Varvakeio and in the evening in Kotzia Square
On Tsiknopempti, February 20, Carnival begins in the morning from Syntagma and spreads to Monastiraki and the surrounding streets, with a traditional route by the Cultural Society of Orchestral Art “Bakkhai” and a representation of the custom of the Kordelata of Naxos in Kotzia Square. The traditional tsiknisma in Varvakeio will be accompanied initially 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 public is entertained in Kotzia Square with a unique concert with KoGiaMan and Gindiki.
Little masquerades with their families learn about the tradition of Carnival at the cultural venues of the Municipality of Athens
Throughout the duration of Carnival, the Art Gallery, the Arts Center, the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Aggeliki Hatzimichali”, the Digital Museum of the Plato Academy, the Cultural Center “Melina”, the Libraries and Creative Learning Centers of the Municipality of Athens, as well as the Children’s Museum of Athens, welcome children and their families to participate in various activities that combine art and creation with the Carnival tradition.
The fun culminates with confetti at the children’s carnival parties at the Creative Learning Centers, the squares of Agia Aikaterini, Agios Andreas Lambrini, Agios Pavlos, Athanasios Diakos (Thymarakia), Gyzi, Penelope Delta, Antigonis in Sepolia and the parks of Dimarchos Bey and Dourgouti.
The established date for children at the biggest carnival celebration at Zappeion is on Sunday, February 23, where the fun takes off, reveling in music, dance, circus artists, bubble shows, games, face painting, balloon creations and many surprises, accompanied by the sounds of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens.
- Carnival traditions and events in the neighborhoods of Athens
This year’s event is notable for the large participation of schools, clubs, organizations, and residents from the seven municipal communities. Cultural clubs and groups from various regions of our country bring Carnival to life in Athens with a reenactment of customs. The Association of Rural People of Lesvos – Agios Dimitrios will revive the custom of the Patinada of Lesvos in the courtyard of the Vasilis and Eliza Goulandris Foundation Museum (16.02). Carnival groups from the International Dance Council – Athens Department will perform events and dances in Monastiraki Square (22.02), the “Thracians of Athens” Association will perform the custom of Kiopek Bey in Monastiraki Square (23.02), while at the “Aggeliki Hatzimichali” Museum of Folk Art and Tradition we will experience the Carnival of Skyros (23.02).
- The Athenian Carnival culminates on Carnival Sunday
The Carnival celebration concludes on Sunday, March 2nd with a parade and a spectacular show in the city center, organized by the Municipality of Athens in collaboration with the Athens Chamber of Commerce. The event is musically supported by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens, radio stations 95.2 Athens DeeJay and 92.3 Lampsi broadcasting live from Syntagma and Kotzia squares, respectively, and Decibel Βand with a concert featuring great hits from the Greek pop and rock scene of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to the present day.
Traditional Koulouma with feasting and dancing on Philopappos Hill
On Clean Monday, March 3, with the colorful kites of the Attic sky in the background, we meet on 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 musical baton is taken by Giota Griva, who promises a genuine folk feast.
Many thanks to: Grigoris Mikrogeumata, Fix Anev, Vikos, Athens-Attica Butchers’ Association, Ambrosiadis Kotopoulas Olympus S.A.E. and Mitsopoulos Farm AKBEEK.
See the program of the Carnival events of the Municipality of Athens
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