Athens and Piraeus Gear Up for Carnival and Clean Monday Festivities
Athens and Piraeus are set to host a vibrant series of events for Carnival and Clean Monday, promising a weekend filled with parades, music, dance, and traditional customs. The festivities will culminate on Clean Monday, February 23rd, with kite flying and traditional Lenten meals.
Carnival Parade in Athens
The Carnival celebrations in Athens will reach their peak on Sunday, February 22nd, with a grand parade co-organized by the Municipality of Athens and the Athens Chamber of Commerce. The parade will kick off at 5:00 PM from Syntagma Square, with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality leading the procession down Ermou Street and concluding at Kotzia Square. The rhythm will be set by the percussion groups Bloco Swingueira and Global Daoulia, accompanied by stilt walkers and the Hellenic Cheerleaders Team from Chorokinisi Nafpliou. The International Dance Council – Athens Section CID UNESCO and the Traditional Dance Association “Molyvos” will lead the dancing, while the Iasis NGO will highlight the inclusive nature of the celebration. Radio Station 92.3 Lampsi will broadcast live from Syntagma Square starting at 4:00 PM.
The party at Kotzia Square will begin at 5:00 PM with a live Carnival DJ set by Nikos Zois from 95.2 Athens DeeJay. The parade is expected to arrive at Kotzia Square around 6:00 PM, where the celebration will reach its climax with music, dancing, and an impressive bubble show. Actor Dimitris Makalias will host the evening.
Clean Monday on Philopappos Hill
On Clean Monday, February 23rd, Athens will welcome Lent on Philopappos Hill, as is tradition. The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens will greet the public at 11:00 AM, followed by an island-style feast with Nikos Economidis and Kyriaki Spanou at 11:30 AM. Rich Lenten dishes will be offered free of charge.
Mayor Haris Doukas stated, “Athens celebrates with extroversion, participation, joy, and inclusion. On Carnival Sunday, the city center transforms into a large celebration stage for everyone. On Clean Monday on Philopappos Hill, we keep the tradition alive with music, Lenten delicacies, and kites in the city sky. We invite everyone to celebrate with us.”
Piraeus Celebrations
The Municipality of Piraeus will also continue its Carnival events, featuring a large children’s Carnival party on Saturday, February 21st, at Korai Square, and a traditional feast on Clean Monday at Freattyda Beach with Vangelis Konitopoulos.
Children’s Carnival Party in Piraeus
On Saturday, February 21st, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Korai Square will transform into a magical children’s party. Little residents of Piraeus and those young at heart will enjoy a day full of fun, games, and unforgettable Carnival moments. Animators, stilt walkers, and beloved cartoon characters will set the pace, while impressive balloon constructions will fill the area with colors and imagination. Children will participate in creative workshops for Carnival masks, painting, and face painting, experiencing a unique day of play and creation.
On stage, a rich program of magic and juggling shows, interactive games, dance performances, traditional maypole dancing, and music from a DJ will keep the fun going. A highlight of the day will be the impressive dance performance by Rumi from the movie K-Pop Demon Hunters, bringing the pulse of K-pop to the stage. The celebration will also include a organized play area with trampolines and skill games, and hundreds of free kites will be distributed to young friends. The New Musicians of the Piraeus Model Music Center and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Piraeus will provide musical accompaniment.
Clean Monday at Freattyda Beach
On Clean Monday, February 23rd, at 12:00 PM, Freattyda Beach will become the center of the celebration, with a large feast featuring live music and dance, creating an authentic “panigiri” by the sea. This musical journey will explore the islands and roots of Greek folk tradition. For another year, Olympiacos FC will be present, offering traditional Lenten dishes, lagana bread, halva, and good wine, adding flavor to this grand celebration, while young and old will participate in the traditional kite flying.
The beloved singer Vangelis Konitopoulos on vocals and lute, Nikos Hatzopoulos on violin, Nikos Filippidis on clarinet, and a team of 10 artists will create an atmosphere of fun and dance with island and traditional songs. They will be joined by Michalis Konitopoulos, Fotini Kyriakidou, Stelios Koutsoukos, Dimitris Reppas, Pavlos Diamantopoulos, and George Kareliotis. The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Piraeus will also provide musical accompaniment. In case of rain, the event will be held at the 1st General Lyceum of Kallipoli (Hatzikyriakou 27). All events are free and open to residents and visitors.
Source: ertnews.gr
