Carnival in Athens 2026

Athens hits full festive mode during Apokries, Greece’s carnival season, when the city swaps routine for colour, music, and parties all around. From 1 to 22 February 2026, neighbourhoods across the capital come alive with parades, live music, street parties, dance performances, and hands-on activities that spill out into squares, markets, and main thoroughfares.

Expect traditional carnival routes winding through the historic centre and linking up with local communities hosting neighbourhood carnivals filled with folk rituals, costumes and spontaneous street events.

Families are well catered for, too, with a packed Carnival for Kids programme bringing games, performances, workshops, and face painting to parks and squares across the city, including Zappeion, Kypseli, Goudi, and Neos Kosmos, making it easy to dip in wherever you’re based.

The celebrations reach their peak on Sunday, 22 February, with a grand carnival parade through the city centre, finishing in Kotzia Square with music, dancing, and a city-wide party atmosphere.

The festivities then roll seamlessly into Clean Monday (23 February), when Athenians traditionally head outdoors for kite flying, music, and a relaxed communal feast, a time-honoured tradition. Discover the full programme of events below.

1/02 – 19/04
Experience the vibrant spirit of Athens Carnival with a packed programme of concerts, traditional dance, and colourful celebrations across the city, Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hatzimichali”
Thursday 12/02 Tsiknopempti 
11 am: Concert by the City of Athens Philharmonic Orchestra, Varvakeios Market
11.30 am: Traditional dance performances by adult folk dance groups from various Athens cultural centres, Varvakeios Market
12.30 pm: Concert by the Athens Greek Music Workshop featuring singers Dora Louizou and Manolis Skoulas, Varvakeios Market
Sunday 15/02 Traditional Carnival Festivities
11 am: Oropou Square and surrounding neighbourhoods
Join the lively ‘Chorostasi’ with traditional Greek dances, garlands, masked figures, and live music filling the streets. The parade concludes with a big celebration at Agios Andreas Square.
12 pm:  Enjoy live music, traditional mime dances, and folk customs from across Greece with local cultural associations inviting you to join in the fun respectfully, Platonos Square
Concerts and Events Across Athens
Wednesday 18/02 at 6 pm: Agia Aikaterini Square, Petralona – Concert with Dora Louizou & Manolis Skoulas
Thursday 19/02 at 6 pm: Agios Georgios Square, Akadimia Platonos – Concert with Dora Louizou & Manolis Skoulas
Friday 20/02 at 11 am: Koukaki Market – Philharmonic Orchestra performances
Big Band Concert
Saturday 21/02 at 1 pm: Fokionos Negri Street

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