Are you ready to paint the town red (and every other color of the rainbow)? Athens is gearing up for Apokries, our version of carnival, and it’s going to be three whole weeks of non-stop fun, color, and festivities that promise to leave you with unforgettable memories.
Prepare to dance in the streets, surrounded by a lively and welcoming crowd eager to share the excitement. And with a jam-packed festive agenda that includes everything from face painting and street parades to folklore custom revivals, there’s something for everyone, no matter your age or interests.
So, put on your craziest outfit, grab your friends and family, and get ready to let loose and embrace the carnival spirit as Athens celebrates Apokries in style. From Zappeion to Goudi, there are carnival hubs all around town, so no matter where you are, you’re sure to find something to join in on the fun.
Kids carnival
If you’re traveling with kids, make sure to take advantage of the numerous games and activities planned especially for them. Stilt walking, juggling, and circus performances will keep them in awe, while the face-painting shenanigans will turn them into their favorite superheroes, princesses, ladybugs, or anything they can imagine.
All these will take place in St. Eleftherios square & St. Paul’s square, Zappeion, St. Thomas Square, and other meeting points. But let’s not forget the party people! Athens has got you covered too, with street performances and bands playing at the city’s squares. And the best part? All events are completely free, so you can enjoy the festivities without worrying about your wallet.
Disco party
Boogie down in the streets of Athens this carnival season, because disco is back and better than ever! Show off your bell-bottom pants, platform boots, and halter tops at the Kypseli Municipal Market, the city’s hottest social hub.
This Carnival Sunday, the market will be transformed into a disco inferno, with the most revered selectors in town taking over the decks to spin the best kind of disco—the 70s kind, of course. Groove all day long and dance the night away with your fellow partygoers.
And once you’ve danced your heart out, you can wind down and relax at the Philopappou Hill events on Clean Monday.
So grab your disco gear, gather your friends, and make preparations for a carnival season to remember in Athens. Don’t miss that Kypseli Municipal Market disco party and all the other events happening around the city. It’s time to celebrate, Athenian style!
SNFCC’s diverse season
It’s Athens’ biggest cultural hub, and it’s bringing the party with a rich Apokries (Greek carnival) agenda that’s sure to delight visitors and locals alike.
On Carnival Sunday, the fun kicks off at noon with the groovy beats of Hasta Brassta, playing their cheerful covers of popular songs. Then, Hermaphrodite’s Child takes over with surf rock and rock’n’roll tunes at the Great Lawn, while Bloco Swingueira keeps the party going all day with Brazilian and Afro grooves all around the park.
But the fun doesn’t stop there! On Clean Monday, things get even more local and traditional as Professor of Ethnomusicology Lambros Liavas curates a marvellous line-up of traditional Greek dances from all over the country.
Join in on the fun and dance the hasapiko, syrto, kalamatiano, ballos and more, with the guidance of the talented violin virtuoso Nikos Economides and a band of local musicians and dancers from the island of Lesvos. Don’t worry if you don’t know the steps, just grab a local by the hand and step inside the dancing circle – they’ll take care of the rest!
Street Parades
But that’s not all, folks! On Saturday 25th, the city center will be buzzing with live music and a choir, keeping things lively around Mitropolis. And up by Philopappou Hill around 12 pm, get ready to samba your way through a musical parade with Brazilian beats that’ll make you feel like you’re right in the heart of Rio’s carnival!
And last but not least, Votanikos is where you need to be on Sunday 26th at 1 pm for the final parade, with festive sounds from all across Greece. Grab your confetti and join the throngs of people to dance and celebrate with us!
So don’t sit at home twiddling your thumbs, get out and be a part of the action – we promise it’ll be an unforgettable experience!
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