Furnished Apartments

The carnival period itself runs from Sunday 12th February to Sunday 6th March. The official Athenian celebrations begin at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 23rd on ‘Tsiknopempti’, roughly translated as “Burnt Thursday” which falls 11 days before the start of Lent. On Tsiknopempti, Greeks eat all the grilled meat they can stomach (officially, they have until that Sunday to eat meat before lent begins). You’ll find that traditional meat tavernas will be full on Tsiknopempti. The last Sunday of the carnival period is known as “Tyrofagos” or “cheese-eating,” as by then there is no meat allowed for those who choose to fast. “Kathari Deftera” or “Clean Monday” marks the first official day of Lent (“Sarakosti”). Clean Monday is a holiday, and traditionally families buy kites and fly them before having lunch together.

City of Athens Events:

Thursday, February 24:
11:00 a.m. Athens Philharmonic Orchestra walkabout with music (Kotzia Square, Varvakeio, Monastiraki)
11:30 a.m. At Varvakeio Market on Athinas Street, join for free music and refreshments!

Saturday, 26/2:
11:30 a.m.: Athens Philharmonic Orchestra walkabout with music (Kotzia Square, Aiolou, Ermou)
12:00 pm: on Dionissis Aeropagitou (near the Acropolis Metro Stop) Musical performances by the Athenian school of fine arts and the music academies of Attiki.
12:00 pm: Kolonaki Square: Latin Music by the Big Band of the City of Athens
12:30: F. Negri (Megistis & Skyrou in Kypseli): The band “Ritmo Latino” will play Latin music
1:00 pm: in Plaka, a musical walkabout by the choirs of the city of Athens
1:00 pm- 2pm: Alsos Pangratiou: Street pantomiming by the “Anisikhi Theatrini”
8 pm: Thiseio (across from the train station) : The musical group “Encardia” will sing Tarantella, and will be accompanied by the dance duo “ballo del mare.”

Sunday, 27/2
11:30 am to 2:30 pm: Go to Zappeio with your children to enjoy the grandeur of Apokries. The area will be decorated, and entertainers will perform tricks and games for the children. Children can also take part in workshops, face painting alongside with broadcast music.
11:00 am to 1pm: Athens Philharmonic Orchestra walkabout with music (Amalias Avenue, Thiseio, Monastiraki)
11:00am- 1pm: Chelntraic Square (in Neos Kosmos) Carnival party for children
11:00 am: (S. Petroula Square, St. Georgis, Akadimia Platonos) Athens Philharmonic Orchestra walkabout with music
11:30 a.m.: Agios Pavlou square: Carnival party for children
11:30 am: St. Petroula square: Carnival party for children
12:00 pm: Attikis Square(Patissia- Kypseli): Salsa festival and pop latin music

Thursday, 3/3:
6 pm: Melina Cultural Center (Irakleidon & Thessalonikis) : Karagiozi performance

Friday, 4/3:
11:00 am: Koumoundourou Square: Street pantomiming by the “Anisikhi Theatrini” group
8:30 pm: Plaka (Kidathinaion & Adrianou) Puppet Theater show “Karagiozis Dulcinea” accompanied by live music

Saturday, 5/3:
12:00 pm: Musical walkabout of two contingents of the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra (Kotzia Square, Aiolou street, Ermoustreet, Syntagma Square, and the second at Panathinaiko Stadium, Zappeio, Syntagma Square)

Sunday 6/3
11:30 am to 2:30 pm: Go to Zappeio with your children to enjoy the grandeur of Apokries. The area will be decorated, and entertainers will perform tricks and games for the children. Children can also take part in workshops, face painting alongside with broadcast music.
11:30 : Amalias Avenue, Thisseio, Monastiraki: Athens Philharmonic Orchestra walkabout with music
5:00 pm: Plaka (Kidathinaion & Adrianou) Concert with traditional Greek music and Carnival music


Monday, 7/3: Clean Monday will be celebrated in two locations.
11:00 a.m. to 5 pm: Philopappou Hill , carnival celebration with Lagana bread, khalva, and olives. Musical performance
11:30 am – 3:30 p.m. : ΚΑΠΑΨ /KAPAPS Park (Triffilias & Lampsa in Ambelokipoi) where the traditional Kite Flying will be accompanied by traditional music and dance celebrations.

Information line: 210 3621601, 1595

Schedule of events translated from: www.cityofathens.gr and www.athenscityculture.gr