Carnival in Athens is a vibrant and joyous celebration that sweeps through the ancient streets, infusing the city with color, music, and revelry. From lively parades for kids to masked balls, this festive season brings together local families and visitors alike. Let’s explore some of the most fun activities for kids in Athens and other parts of the city!
Read also: Carnival Traditions in Greece
Carnival Activities for Kids in Athens 2024: Free Activities
These are the carnival activities for kids in Athens 2024 by the Municipality of Athens: 25.02 – 18.03.2024
A great carnival fiesta spreads through the neighborhoods of the city
80 events in 55 places.
The pulse of the carnival beats strongly in our city and the Municipality of Athens invites young and old to be part of the colorful celebration of the Carnival with 80 events, organized by the Organization of Culture, Sports and Youth of the Municipality of Athens in 55 places of the city. The bright children’s smiles of the little masquerades, the frenzied mood of the big carnival-goers, the carnival tradition and the feast, make up a fun merry-go-round that will unfold in the neighborhoods of Athens.
Concerts, music routes, Halloween celebrations for our little friends, traditional events, Halloween activities for children and the whole family in the cultural spaces of Athens, Tsiknopepti with music and Halloween tradition, Koulouma “traditionally” on Filopappos Hill and countless other surprises , will spread the rhythm and spirit of Halloween throughout the city.
In his message, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, notes: “Athens puts up its carnival decorations, earlier than ever, and invites us all, young and old, to take part in this crazy carnival celebration. For 23 days every neighborhood of our city will be flooded with music, dance, song and cultural events. Come and have fun together, be kids again, revive traditional Halloween customs and create memories that will accompany us for many years to come.”
Tsiknopepti with music and tradition
On Thursday, March 7, music and carnival tradition will flood Varvakeio Agora, Monastiraki Square and the surrounding streets. The public will meet the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens at Varvakeio Agora at 11:30 , while at 12:00 the Cultural Society of Orchestral Art BAKHAI will start its carnival route from Syntagma Square , representing the custom of the Ribbons of Naxos in Kotzia Square for to end up in Monastiraki square , where the band Charisma and Isidoros Pateros will entertain us with their music and songs.
The little masquerades know about Halloween and go wild in the neighborhoods
The children, the protagonists of the Carnival, wear their colorful costumes and flood the squares, as well as cultural spaces of Athens, to have fun and participate in mock actions, through which they will come into contact with the Halloween tradition. The Art Gallery, the Museum of Folk Art and Tradition “Angeliki Hatzimichalis”, the Plato Academy Digital Museum, the Libraries, the Creative Learning Centers and the Children’s Museum of Athens welcome children and the whole family to participate in educational and museum-pedagogical programs, workshops visual arts, constructions, musical movement and fairy tale dramatization, theatrical games, etc., but also to attend music and dance events.
Carnival activities will also take place in Gyzi, Plyta, Agios Georgios, Agios Dimitrios (Panormou) and Kolokynthos swimming pools , as well as in the Park of Mayor Dimitris Bey, while Thymarakion, Agios Pavlos, Nathanael squares and the pedestrian street at the junction of Gennai Kolokotroni streets and Matrozou , are transformed into the setting of a fantastic party that will take off the fun of young and old.
The leading Carnival celebration , the established rendezvous of the little carnival-goers in Zappeio , is on Sunday, March 17 , where the children will say goodbye to the Halloween by going wild with music, dance, circus artists, games and many more surprises.
Scent of tradition and carnival routes through the streets of the city
Apkria, as a genuine Greek celebration with roots from antiquity, has a traditional character and is distinguished by its rich etiquette in various regions of our country. The Municipality of Athens highlights the element of tradition and carnival customs, bringing them to its neighborhoods. Throughout the carnival, cultural clubs will parade through the streets of the city, to present traditional dances and revive local carnival customs, which will introduce us to the spirit of Halloween, spreading fun and joy.
The beginning will be made by the BAKHAI Cultural Society of Orchestral Art on Thursday 07/03 , which during its carnival route, will make a stop in Kotzia square to represent the custom of the Ribbons of Naxos . The traditional events continue on Sunday 10/03 , with the carnival sergiani in Plaka by the Zakynthian Union of Athens with chants and traditional dances of Zakynthos , a carnival event in Plato Square with mock events from all over Greece and live traditional music from cultural organizations of the region and Horostasi which will wander the streets of Plaka with merry-go-rounds, events, carnival dances and songs, accompanied by live music .
On Saturday 16/3, the Farmers’ Union of Lesbos “Agios Dimitrios” and the Cultural Association of Traditional Dances and Cultural Activities “O Molyvos” , promise us another trip to the Halloween tradition of our country, with a route of the revival of “Patinada”, a local custom of Lesvos.
Finally, on Sunday 17/3 , we will celebrate the end of the Athenian Carnival with a big carnival procession in the center of the city, an action of the Athens Chamber of Commerce that takes place with the support of OPANDA , with animators, jugglers, Brazilian percussionists and other entertainers.
The neighborhoods of Athens will not miss the carnival routes this year, which flood the streets with fun and rhythm. On Saturday 10/03 there will be a carnival route of percussion (Attica Square – Victoria Square) and the Forms of Expression will take us to Botanikos in a carnival like in the past, while on Sunday 16/03 the percussion ensemble Bloco Swingueira (District Filopappou-Troon- Dorieon – Merkouri Square) will excite us with Brazilian rhythm and dance.
Concerts, music and dance events and theatrical performances
The Music Ensembles of the Municipality of Athens will dress up the carnival events with their music in various parts of Athens, throughout the carnival. The Philharmonic Orchestra will “walk” through the neighborhoods, the Big Band with Martha Moreleon will give a jazz tempo to the Halloween celebrations and the Greek Music Workshop with Dora Loizou and Manolis Skoulas will enhance the Halloween celebration with their melodies.
Also, this year’s rich Halloween program of the Municipality of Athens is surrounded by concerts, music and dance events and theatrical performances in various cultural venues such as: Arts Center (concert on 03/09), “Anna and Maria Kalouta” Multispace (theatrical performance on 03/09 and 10/03), Cultural Center “Melina” (music and dance event on 10/03), Olympia, Municipal Music Theater “Maria Kallas” (musical theater performance in a text – directed by Giorgos Vassiliadis on 10/3) and Municipal Market of Kypseli (music and dance event on 13/03).
Pure Monday, “traditionally”, on the Hill of Filopappos
The carnival culminates on Clean Monday, March 18 , at Filopappos Hill , which has been established as a landmark for kite flying and the traditional Kouloumas, which we will celebrate with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and the band Charisma .
Click here for a detailed program of carnival activities for kids in Athens 2024 (in Greek)
The Carnival events of the Municipality of Filothei-Psychikos begin on Sunday, March 10
This year’s program includes activities for all ages, with carnival events, music, dance, surprises for children, events for young and old, culminating in the big concert of “ONIRAMA” on Clean Monday!
Events in detail:
Sunday, March 10, Carnival in Neo Psychiko.
10:30-14:30, Freedom Square
The carnival parade with the merry-go-round will start from the 2nd Elementary School of Neo Psychiko. Meeting time 10:30.
They will follow: A fantastic program with many interactive games, carnival constructions, stilt walk, bubble show, magician show, face painting, balloon construction, dancing and singing that will excite young and old alike.
Two large inflatable multi-games and four basketballs will be placed in Freedom Square, while children will be able to create original masks with the help of a teacher and guided by their imagination.
Sunday, March 17, Carnival in Psychiko.
11:00-15:00, Psychiko Grove.
Entertainers dressed in masquerades will organize a rich children’s program with balloon making, face painting and crafts, while there will be a two-hour music concert by the “Evihon” band.
In the area there will be stalls with salty and sweet dishes.
Clean Monday, March 18, Koulouma in Filothei
11:00-15:00 National Bank Grove
Big concert with ONIRAMA
Kite competition for the schools of our Municipality.
Fasting appetizers of the Lenten table.
(Entrance to all events will be free)
The Festivities For Tsiknopempti
Today is Tsiknopempti! Tsiknopempti (Greek: Τσικνοπέμπτη) is part of the traditional Apókries (Απόκριες), the Greek Carnival season. It occurs on the second-to-last Thursday before Lent, and its name translates to “Charred Thursday” or “Smoky Thursday.” What makes this day special? Well, it revolves around the consumption of copious amounts of grilled and roasted meats before the fasting period of Lent begins.
Read also: The tradition of Lady Lent
Here are some activities going on in Tsiknopempti:
- Meat Extravaganza: Picture large outdoor parties where the air is thick with the aroma of sizzling meats. Families gather to feast on juicy souvlaki, succulent lamb chops, and other mouthwatering Greek delicacies.
- Smiles and Sizzles: Tsiknopempti-like celebrations often continue on a smaller scale the following Sunday. This marks the final day when meat can be enjoyed before the strict fasting of Great Lent leading up to Easter.
- Greek Orthodox Tradition: Since fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays is essential, Thursday becomes the perfect day for Tsiknopempti.
Remember, whether you’re savoring grilled meats or celebrating a veggie-filled lifestyle, Greek traditions and family joy are at the heart of it all!
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