Carnival Celebrations at Athenian Squares 2024

It’s time for colourful costumes, confetti explosions and dancing in the streets. Apokries (our version of carnival) is just around the corner which means that the city is getting ready for a three-week celebration that allows for nothing except good vibes. The City of Athens has planned a jam-packed festive agenda for all types, with all sorts of events spread around every neighbourhood. Follow the sound of the bands playing at the city’s squares, take part in a street parade or a folklore custom revival, and sign up for face-painting shenanigans or any of the numerous games set up for your young ones. Parties, street performances and lots more seal the carnival deal, all with free entrance. Check out our list of events here.

Let's talk music. From Monday, March 26th, musical happenings will be taking place at various squares around Athens, from Pangrati to Kypseli to Pedion tou Areos all the way to the Historic Centre. 

Tsiknopempti (March 7th), or Smoky Thursday, will see a parade starting from Syntagma Square and leading crowds to Monastiraki Square, where a re-enactment of the traditional customs of the Cordellata from the Greek island of Naxos will take place. At the same time, the Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra of Athens will turn up the volume at the Central Food Market, aka the Varvakios Agora. Traditional satirical dances and customs from different parts of Greece will be staged at various locations around the city throughout the carnival period.

A special surprise awaits you on Clean Monday, March 18th: a Greek panigiri, a traditional Greek festival with dancing and music, one like nothing you’ve experienced before. The place is Philopappou Hill and the feast will be soundtracked by Greek folk group Charisma. More info below:

26/02 at 5.30 pm: Mesologgiou Square, Pangrati, The City of Athens Greek Music Workshop Concert
27/02 at 6 pm: Apostolou Pavlou, Thissio, Big Band
28/02 at 5.30 pm:  St. Andrew Square, Lamprini, The City of Athens Greek Music Workshop Concert & St. Dimitrios Square, Panormou, The City of Athens Greek Music Workshop Concert
04/03 at 5.30 pm: Fokionos Negri, Kypseli, The City of Athens Greek Music Workshop Concert
08/03 at 11.30 am: Dionisiou Areopagitou, Thissio, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra
09/03 at 11.30 am: St. Meletios Square, Sepolia, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra
10/03 at 11 am: Kypseli Municipal Market, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra
11/03 at 11.30 am: Dionisiou Areopagitou, Thissio, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra; at 5.30 pm: St. Catherine’s Square, Petralona, The City of Athens Greek Music Workshop Concert
12/03 at 11.30 am: Panormou Metro Station, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra; at 6 pm: Votanikos, Big Band
13/03 at 11.30 am: Plita Square, Pangrati, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra
14/03 at 11.30 am: Plaka, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra
15/03 at 11.30 am: Pedion tou Areos, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra
16/03 at 11.30 am: Kallidromiou, Exarchia, the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra

For your own convenience, we suggest checking directly with the event organiser or host venue for confirmation or with Culture is Athens.