Apokries 2027: Greece's Carnival Season Dates & Celebrations

Apokries - the Greek carnival season - runs from 21 February to 14 March 2027, ending on the last Sunday before Lent (Kyriaki tis Apokreas, 14 March). Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera), the first day of Orthodox Lent, follows on 15 March. We cover Clean Monday itself in a separate guide.

Apokries is derived from the Greek for “away from meat” - the season marks the final period of unrestricted eating before the Orthodox Lenten fast. It is celebrated across Greece with costume parties, street parades, and specific folk traditions that vary sharply by region.

Patras Carnival: the main event

The Patras Carnival (Karnavali tis Patras) is the largest carnival in Greece and one of the largest in Europe, drawing up to a million visitors over the final weekend. The city transforms for three weeks from early February, with events including:

• Secret treasure hunt (Krymmeni Thissavros): carnival-goers search the city for hidden clues
• Burning of the Carnival King: a large papier-mâché effigy is paraded through the city and burned on the waterfront on the last night
• Grand carnival parade (Megali Parelasi): held on the final Sunday (14 March 2027), the parade features elaborate floats, marching bands, and themed groups - the floats are often satirical, targeting the year’s political events

Patras is a two-hour drive or train journey from Athens. The final weekend is extremely busy; book accommodation well in advance.

Athens: costume parties and local celebrations

Athens does not have a large street carnival to rival Patras, but the city celebrates Apokries enthusiastically. Neighbourhoods in Piraeus, Plaka, and Monastiraki hold local events; bars and clubs run costume nights throughout the season. The final Sunday sees some street gatherings in central Athens, particularly in Exarchia and Psirri.

Athenians also celebrate Tsiknopempti (Smoky Thursday) - the second Thursday of the carnival season (27 February 2027) - by grilling meat in the streets and on balconies. The scent of grilling fills entire neighbourhoods. This is one of the most atmospheric and characteristically Greek carnival experiences available in the capital.

Galaxidi flour war

The Apokries tradition in the small town of Galaxidi, on the Gulf of Corinth (three hours from Athens), is entirely unique: locals and visitors hurl flour and coloured powder at each other in the main square on Clean Monday morning, turning the harbour town into a cloud of white and colour. The Galaxidi flour war (alevromoutzouromata) has been held for generations and attracts visitors from across Greece. Arrive early on 15 March 2027 - the action starts in the morning.

What to wear

Costumes (stoles) are expected rather than optional at most Apokries events. Children’s costume parades (pompes) take place on weekends throughout the season, with children dressed as superheroes, animals, and traditional characters. Adult costume parties in Athens and Thessaloniki range from elaborate to minimal.

Food and drink

Apokries has a specific food tradition: the weeks leading up to Lent are divided into meat week (Kriofagi) and cheese week (Tyrini). During Tyrini (the final week: 8–14 March 2027), meat is avoided but dairy is permitted. Traditional carnival foods include loukoumades (fried dough balls with honey), trigona (cream-filled pastry triangles), and an abundance of grilled meats during Tsiknopempti.

For the full picture of visiting Greece in February and March, see our Greece in March guide and April guide. For tours and activities in Athens during the carnival period, see our activities page.