{"id":19384,"date":"2026-01-25T10:43:01","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T08:43:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.omilo.com\/?p=19384"},"modified":"2026-01-28T18:40:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T16:40:38","slug":"carnival-in-greece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omilo.com\/fr\/carnival-in-greece\/","title":{"rendered":"Carnival in Greece and Useful Greek Vocabulary | Omilo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Carnival in Greece is a big winter celebration, during which Greeks enjoy themselves, organize parties and eat a lot of meat!
\nIn 2026, the festivities will take place between\u00a0February 2nd and 22nd, <\/strong>. Followed by \u00ab\u00a0Kathara devtera\u00a0\u00bb on February 23rd, 2026.<\/p>\n

The aim of Carnival is to encourage all citizens, and visitors, to be a part of a lively, fun-filled celebration, which takes place in many venues, squares, streets and schools of villages, towns, or city neighborhoods.\u00a0 Read more about those traditions, while learning useful Greek vocabulary.<\/p>\n

When does the carnival take place in Greece?<\/strong><\/h2>\n


\n<\/strong>The Carnival season in Greece, known as \u00abApokries,\u00bb is a period that traditionally begins ten weeks before Greek Orthodox Easter<\/a>,
\nand ends with \u201cClean Monday\u201d, the first day of Lent.
\nUsually, this period takes place in February and\/or early March, and lasts for three weeks prior to Lent.
\nSo in total a celebration of twenty-two days, including 3 weekends.
\nDuring those three weeks, there are many private parties and masquerades,
\nas well as parades and public events organized by municipalities and schools all over Greece.<\/p>\n

Using the Greek word \u201cApokria\u201d or \u201cCarnavali\u201d?<\/strong><\/h2>\n


\n<\/strong>In Greece, people use two words for \u201ccarnival\u201d.
\nThe Greek word \u0391\u03c0\u03bf\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03ac literally means ‘without meat’ .
\nThe word \u201ccarnavali\u201d, obviously a word without Greek roots, and coming from the Latin ‘carnem levare’, also means ‘without meat’.<\/p>\n

Where in Greece is best to celebrate Carnival?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Since every region in Greece has its own customs, music and traditions, it is impossible to advise you about which region in Greece is the best to watch or attend the celebrations.<\/p>\n

Just as an example, Northern Greece is a great destination to experience Greek Carnival.<\/p>\n

Click below to watch a video with the carnival atmosphere.\u00a0 Y
\nou will get an impression of carnival in Northern Greece, Macedonia, a region where carnival is celebrated extensively.<\/p>\n

The music of Northern Greece is known for the \u201chalkina\u201d, which literary means \u201cthe copper instruments\u201d.<\/p>\n

Click here to watch the video<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And here one more video of a parade on the last Sunday of Carnival,<\/span><\/a>
\nin the town of Edessa<\/strong>, Northern Greece<\/p>\n

\"carnival<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are visiting Athens, we recommend looking for events in the area of Plaka, where you can also experience the Greek carnival, in the small side streets.
\nVarious musical bands will play traditional Greek songs, and later in the evening, there might be Latin rhythms as well.
\nMoschato, a suburb in the southwestern part of Athens, is also known for its many Carnival celebrations and parades.<\/p>\n

What about celebrating Tsiknopempti (\u2018Burnt Thursday\u201d) in Greece?<\/strong><\/h2>\n


\n<\/strong>On the Thursday of the second week of Carnivale, Greeks celebrate the so-called \u201cTsiknopempti\u201d. On this particular Thursday, everyone grills and eats meat. The smell of grilled meat, which fills every neighborhood, is called \u201ctsikna\u201d! Most Greeks gather with friends at home or go to restaurants, in order to \u201ctsiknisoun\u201d! This means they will \u201ceat meat, smell the \u201ctsikna\u201d, drink and dance\u201d!
\nOn Tsiknopempti, you can also see many masquerades.<\/p>\n

The Patrin\u00f3 karnav\u00e1li or Carnival in the city of Patras<\/strong><\/h2>\n

On the last Sunday of carnival the biggest Greek parade takes place in the city of Patras. The \u201cPatrino karnavali\u201d is the largest event of its kind in Greece and one of the biggest in Europe. Giant decorated cars and coaches, colorful dresses and figures will fill the city streets while dancing on music all day. If you want to experience something as the \u201cBrazilian carnival\u201d, but in Greece, then Patras is the place to be!
\nThere is also a night parade, called \u201cnychterin\u00ed podar\u00e1ti\u00a0\u00bb, which takes place on Saturday night, before Sunday\u2019s extravagant parade.
\nThousands of carnival participants from all over the country come to Patras to dance, while holding torches, in the streets of the city.<\/p>\n

Clean Monday or \u201cKathara Devtera\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n


\n<\/strong>When the carnival festive season is over, the period of fasting begins, until Easter Sunday. But on the first day of fasting, do not forget to participate in the \u201cClean Monday\u201d celebration – a day of joy and excitement in Greece and a day to fly your kite! click here to read more about this wonderful day<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, if you love Carnival, Greece is a perfect destination.
\nAnd do not forget, while you enjoy carnival in Greece, you might also consider to go for skiing in the many ski centres in mainland Greece or simply enjoy \u201cwinter in Greece<\/a>\u201d!<\/p>\n

\u039a\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c2 \u0391\u03c0\u03cc\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5\u03c2! (kales apokries!) = enjoy the carnival!<\/p>\n

Learn some useful Greek vocabulary.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u03a4\u03bf \u03ba\u03c1\u03ad\u03b1\u03c2 (kreas) = the meat
\n\u0397 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ad\u03bb\u03b1\u03c3\u03b7 (parelasi) = the parade
\n\u03a7\u03bf\u03c1\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9 (horevo) = to dance
\n\u039d\u03b7\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03cd\u03c9 (nistevo) = to fast
\n\u03a4\u03bf \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03bd\u03b1\u03b2\u03ac\u03bb\u03b9 \/ \u03bf\u03b9 \u03b1\u03c0\u03cc\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5\u03c2 (apokries) = the carnival
\n\u039a\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c2 \u0391\u03c0\u03cc\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5\u03c2! (kales apokries!) = enjoy the carnival!
\n\u039a\u03b1\u03bb\u03ae \u03a4\u03c3\u03b9\u03ba\u03bd\u03bf\u03c0\u03ad\u03bc\u03c0\u03c4\u03b7! (kali tsiknopempti) = Have a nice Tsiknopempti!
\n\u03a4\u03c3\u03af\u03ba\u03bd\u03b1 (tsikna) = smell of grilled meat
\n\u039f \u03bc\u03b1\u03c3\u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03c2 (o mascaras) = the masquerade
\n\u039c\u03b1\u03c3\u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b5\u03cd\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9 (maskarevomai) = to dress up for carnival
\n\u03a4\u03b9 \u03b8\u03b1 \u03bd\u03c4\u03c5\u03b8\u03b5\u03af\u03c2 \u03c4\u03b9\u03c2 \u0391\u03c0\u03cc\u03ba\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5\u03c2; (tit ha ntutheis tis apokries?) = how will you dress up for carnival?<\/p>\n

PS. Do not forget to also read this article in Greek and listen to the Greek audio, to improve your listening skills.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the mood to learn more about Greek traditions, with audio texts, and English translations?<\/strong>
\nThen the \u00ab\u00a0Greek to my Ears eBook’ is ideal for you. Download it here FOR FREE.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n