Athens is gearing up for a lively three-day Carnival weekend, offering events for families, music lovers, and night owls alike. From interactive workshops and street parades to concerts and creative experiences, the city provides countless ways to celebrate and enjoy the festive spirit.
Apokries, the Greek Carnival, takes place on the weekend leading up to Lent in the Greek Orthodox Church. Traditionally, people dress in costumes, attend parades, and enjoy music, dancing, and indulgent foods before the solemn season of Lent starts.
Interactive workshops and parades in Athens
On Saturday, the Municipality of Athens invites families to explore a wide range of free daytime events. At the Athens Children’s Museum, children aged 3 and older can create accessories inspired by the museum’s exhibits from 11 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. and 1.15 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Carnival parades and musical performances are scheduled across the city center. From 11 a.m., the Quilombo percussion ensemble will bring Brazilian-influenced rhythms to Kypseli Square, while Nathanail Park, Kato Patisia, will host traditional dances and songs with participation from local schools. Bloco Swingueira performs at Petralona Grove at noon, and the Cultural Center of OTE Workers will present humorous Apokries songs and dances at Drakopoulou Park. At the Athens Municipal Art Gallery, which requires registration, children aged 4 to 7 can make miniature horses and parade through the gallery while exploring the works of visual artist Maria Ktistopoulou. The Athens Big Band performs at 1 p.m. on Fokionos Negri Street.
Concerts and family fun at Peristeri
The Municipality of Peristeri, western Athens, continues the weekend with its “Unique Apokries 2026” program on Sunday. At the Peristeri Exhibition Center, the day begins at 12 p.m. with a concert by XANAZOO, followed by VANILLA SWING at 7 p.m.
Families can enjoy free interactive theater, shadow puppet shows, creative workshops, carnival games, dance activities, digital experiences, and the Carnival Market. A 1,500-square-meter play area features inflatables, trampolines, music, face painting, and crafts, open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Gaming Arena offers virtual experiences, while HADO, the augmented reality sports game, adds a dynamic twist to the festivities. The weekend’s program also includes musical performances on Saturday and culminates on Clean Monday with traditional foods, music and the city’s largest lagana bread weighing 240 kilos.
Clean Monday at SNFCC
On Clean Monday, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in southern Athens welcomes the public to a free celebration of music and dance. From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., the “Heaven and Earth” festival will feature ancient Greek songs and melodies combined with modern interpretations of traditional music.
Visitors can also participate in creative activities from 11.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., including kite-making and silkscreen printing at Stavros Niarchos Park. The event brings together musicians and singers from different generations under the artistic direction of Vasiliki Karakosta, with traditional dance performances by the University of Athens Cultural Student Group. The festival will be broadcast live on the 103.7 radio station.
Nightlife adds Carnival energy
For those seeking late-night fun, Athens offers themed parties during the weekend.
On Saturday, Burger Disco Club, Syntagma, central Athens, turns into a disco party for a carnival version of their XTRACAVANZA event, featuring DJ Taf & Sunshine Pedro. DJ Taf kicks off with rediscovered disco tracks, infused with electronic beats, keeping the dance floor alive until 3 a.m., followed by Sunshine Pedro’s after-hours takeover. Doors open at 8 p.m., entry is €5, or free for diners with reservations until 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy disco grooves and carnival vibes through the night.
On Sunday, the Gazarte concert hall in Gazi hosts a Studio 54-themed party on its roof stage for an entrance fee between €8 and €10. Doors open at 9 p.m., with a DJ set by JJ Pallis kickstarting the event and a live set by The Swingin’ Cats following at 10 p.m. An after-party, for those wanting to stay out longer, begins at 12.30 a.m. “Swing, rock ’n’ roll and pop” hits keep the dance floor moving while partygoers channel the glam spirit of the iconic New York nightclub.
