Athens is the place to be this weekend for the grand finale of Apokries, Greece’s vibrant Carnival season! A whirlwind of colorful events, parades, music, and dancing will take over the city, offering free entertainment for all ages before the start of Lent.
Saturday, March 1st – Carnival Fever Kicks Off:
- Morning Fun for Kids: Dimitris Beis Park, Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, and Filopappou Hill will host children’s carnival festivities starting at 11:00 am, featuring animators and face painting. Kids aged 7-15 can also participate in “The Lost Spirit of Carnival” activity in various squares, including Agia Aikaterini, Agios Andreas Lamprinis, and Gkyzi.
- Traditional Theater: Klafthmonos Square will showcase a performance of “Two Grooms – One Bride” by the Zakynthian Folk Theater Agios Dionysios at 12:00 pm, inspired by 17th-century carnival traditions.
- Digital Costumes: The Athens Municipal Art Gallery invites families with children (8-12) to “Digital Costumes with VR Masks” at 5:00 pm. Kids can design their own digital costumes using virtual reality. Pre-registration is required (Tel: 210 5202420, 210 3242023, Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm).
- Piraeus Carnival Party: Head to Piraeus’ Korai Square from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for a family-friendly carnival celebration with kite-flying and a Kiddie Academy art workshop.
Sunday, March 2nd – The Grand Finale:
- Athens City Center Parade and Show: The highlight of the weekend! A grand parade kicks off at 5:00 pm, winding through Syntagma Square, Ermou Street, Aiolou Street, and Kotzia Square. Expect dazzling costumes, dancers, stilt walkers, a Chinese dragon, and more. The Athens Philharmonic Orchestra, live radio broadcasts, and a concert by Decibel Band (playing Greek pop and rock hits from the ’70s to today) will add to the festive atmosphere.
- Glyfada’s Student Carnival: Extravagant floats, creative costumes, and live music will fill the streets of Glyfada starting at 11:30 am. The parade culminates in Macedonia Square with the ceremonial burning of the King of Carnival’s float and a concert by the popular Greek band Alcatrash.
- Nikaia & Agios Ioannis Rentis Carnival: Enjoy serenades, a treasure hunt, jugglers, and more, culminating in a grand parade in Rentis at noon on Fleming Street.
- Alimos Carnival Parade: Kalamaki Avenue will be alive with color and music during the Alimos carnival parade at noon, featuring local clubs, schools, and elaborate floats.
- Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC): Celebrate the start of Lent with Afro-Brazilian rhythms from Bloco Swingueira, DJ Palov, and Los Petralonicos. Children can participate in “Ornitho-Transformations,” creating bird masks and joining in the carnival spirit.
- Peristeri Exhibition Center: A weekend of children’s activities, including workshops, games, a cinema screening, theatrical performances, and a grand children’s parade on Sunday at 3:00 pm, followed by stand-up comedy at 7:00 pm.
Don’t miss the spectacular culmination of Apokries in Athens this weekend!