Carnival in Athens: 3-day events in the historic center with shops open
Thousands of citizens will have fun with dancing, singing, acrobatics, the traditional merry-go-round at the Carnival events organized by the Athens Chamber of Commerce, the Municipality of Athens and OPANDA.
The venue will be the historic center of the city - Syntagma, Plaka, Monastiraki - as the aim of the chamber is the revival of carnival events in the "Quarter of the Gods".
"We want to see again in the streets of Plaka carnival-goers having fun with their souls, as was the case in the past. Let's once again make the most beautiful corner of Athens the center of the capital's carnival events and let this celebration be from now on a pole of attraction for residents and visitors, something that will also stimulate entrepreneurship", is the message of the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce Yannis Hatzitheodosiou.
The municipality of Athens will culminate this three-day Halloween celebration with a series of events, in neighborhoods and in the city center.
For Saturday (16/3) activities for young and old have been planned in various parts of Athens. Children will create their own paper war collage in the Art Gallery, participate in an educational experiential program in Agios Georgios Square in Kypseli and have fun at the Halloween celebration on the pedestrian street at the junction of Gennai Kolokotroni and Matrozou.
The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens will flood the Kallidromi with its melodies, the percussion ensemble Bloco Swingueira with Brazilian rhythms and dance will perform a carnival route from the Peripheral Filopappou to Merkouri Square, while cultural clubs will revive customs in other parts of the city.
In Zappeio, there will be a children's Halloween celebration and a revival of the Plakiot Carnival by the Athens Chamber of Commerce.
On Halloween Sunday (17/3) young and old carnival goers will participate in two big celebrations in the center of the city. In the morning (11:30), children will go wild in their carnival costumes at Zappeion, where group games and pantomime, stilt walkers, circus artists, mascots and many surprises await them.
In the afternoon, the Athens Chamber of Commerce revives, with the support of OPANDA, the traditional carnival in the streets of Plaka with a large carnival procession, which will start at 17:30 from Syntagma Square, with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and other musical and dance forms to set the rhythm. Following the route through Ermou and Evangelistria streets, Mitropoleos Square and Pandrossou Street, the parade will end at Monastiraki Square. This will be followed by a series of spectacular acts with acrobats, impressive dancers, Brazilian dances, as well as superFire & Pyroshow and supermagic show. The event will be presented by Ioanna Maleskou and Thanos Vagios.
On Clean Monday (18/3) the focus will be, as always, on the Hill of Philopappos, for the Athenians to celebrate Koulouma with music and dance and to fill the Attic sky with colorful kites. The Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens will welcome the public from 11 am, while at 12 noon the music group "Charisma" and Isidoros Pateros will take the stage.
"Throughout the weekend of March 16 and 17, the streets and squares of the city turn into an endless colorful merry-go-round, with parties for children, musical meetings with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens, carnival routes with the flavor of tradition. On Clean Monday, March 18, you are all invited to Filopappos Hill to traditionally celebrate Koulouma with music, dance and Lenten food", said the mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas.
The program of events in detail
Saturday, March 16
11:00 Athens Municipality Gallery
Collage with confetti in the Art Gallery. Halloween museum educational program for children aged 4 to 6 years. Young visitors will observe Rika Pana's works in the exhibition space and create their own paper war collage.
11:00 Agios Georgios Kypselis Square
"Carnivalize, play, tumble" - Children's educational experiential program.
11:00 Gennaiou Kolokotronis & Matrozou
Children's Halloween celebration. Music, dancing, Halloween competitions for the best costume, theatrical performances, games and many surprises for the little carnival-goers.
11:30 Kallidromiou Street
Musical tour of the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens
12:00 Regional Filopappou-Troon-Dorieon-Merkouri Square
Carnival route with the percussion ensemble Bloco Swingueira with dance and rhythms from Brazil.
12:00 Papadiamanti Square-Halepa-Agios Andreas Lamprini Square
Carnival route of the revival of lesbian skating with the participation of lesbian skaters from the Lesvos Farmers' Union "Agios Dimitrios" and the Cultural Association of Traditional Dances and Cultural Activities "O Molyvos".
Sunday, March 17
11:30 Zappeio (courtyard area)
Children's Halloween celebration with the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens.
Music, dance, stilts, balloon construction, face painting, circus artists, group games, pantomime, mascots and many surprises for the little friends.
17:30 Syntagma Square and Monastiraki Square
Revival of Plakiotiki Carnival. Action of the Professional Chamber of Athens with the support of OPANDA.
Carnival parade from Syntagma Square and carnival spree in Monastiraki Square.
* The event will take place simultaneously in Syntagma Square, in the surrounding streets and in Monastiraki Square.
Clean Monday, March 18
Filopappou Hill
11:00 Musical walk by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens.
12:00 Concert by the band "Charisma" and Isidoros Pateros.
11:00 Park for Children & Culture (former K.A.P.A.P.S.)
Traditional feast with music, dances and Lenten dishes from the Cultural Association of Ano Ampelokipi. With the support of OPANDA.
