65 Free Events & Parade Guide

Athens is gearing up for a vibrant return of Carnival (Apokries) celebrations, with the Municipality of Athens announcing a packed program of 65 free events spread across 50 locations throughout the city.

The festivities run from February 12 to February 23, 2026, transforming neighborhoods, squares, cultural centers, markets, and public spaces into hubs of joy. The program blends cherished traditional customs, live music, family-oriented activities, and large-scale public gatherings. The season builds toward Clean Monday (February 23), the start of Orthodox Lent, featuring classic open-air fun and kite flying on Filopappos Hill.

Athens Mayor Haris Doukas extended a warm invitation to residents and visitors alike, encouraging everyone to “fill the city’s squares with music and a festive spirit.”

Key Highlights of the Program

• Tsiknopempti (February 12): The celebrations kick off with a lively traditional procession by the Cultural Society of Orchestral Art “Bacchai,” departing from Syntagma Square at 11:00 a.m. and concluding at Kotzia Square with a reenactment of the Kordelata custom from Naxos.
  Varvakeios Market serves as the day’s central venue, featuring the Municipality’s Philharmonic Orchestra starting at 11:00 a.m., followed by traditional dances and a folk concert by the Greek Music Workshop.
• Family and Children’s Activities: Kids are a major focus, with events at Creative Learning Centers, the Art Gallery, the Arts Center, the Children’s Museum of Athens, and municipal libraries. Neighborhood squares and parks host music, dancing, face painting, balloon artistry, games, and more.
• Sunday, February 15: Families are invited to Zappeion at 11:00 a.m. for “The Carnival of the World,” a spectacular event packed with dancing, stilt walkers, a Chinese dragon, and plenty of surprises.
• Music and Performances: The city resonates with sounds from the Philharmonic Orchestra, Big Band, Greek Music Workshop, percussion groups, and traditional ensembles. Expect carnival song concerts, Zakynthian cantatas, and music accompanying customary processions.
• Traditional Customs: Cultural clubs bring regional Greek Carnival traditions to life, including the Kordelati of Naxos and the Wedding of Flambouras of the Sarakatsani. The Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Aggeliki Hatzimichali” features the painting exhibition “Let’s go as before…” running through April 19.
• Carnival Sunday (February 22): The grand finale arrives with a major parade starting at 5:00 p.m. from Syntagma Square and proceeding to Kotzia Square. At 7:00 p.m., a big carnival party with live music takes over Kotzia Square.
• Clean Monday (February 23): The program wraps up with the traditional Koulouma gathering on Filopappos Hill, complete with kite flying, live music, and a communal island-style feast.

This year’s Carnival promises to fill Athens with color, rhythm, and community spirit. For the full schedule and more details, check the official program from the Municipality of Athens.

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Apokries 2026, Athens Carnival, Athens events, Athens Municipality’s halfway house, Carnival parade Athens, Clean Monday Athens, family events Athens, Filopappos Hill, free events Athens, Greek news, Greek traditions, Tsiknopempti