Apokreas (Carnival season)

Carnival Apokreas is one of Greece's oldest carnivals, bringing millions of travelers each year to experience and visit the country. This is considered one of the most famous festivals in Greece and the classic festivals associated with ancient Greek culture. The Apokreas Carnival is thought to have originated in ancient times as a kind of memory to celebrate Dionysus - the saint who symbolizes the renewal of life, assisting the land to sprout, and the trees are luxuriant.

Carnival Apokreas Greece is held in the spring and lasts for a variety of exciting activities, rather than a set period of time like other yearly Greek holidays. Carnival is known in Greece as Apokria, which means "no meat."

A series of lesser festivities build up to the wild weekend of Carnival – Apokreas in Greek – which is filled with costume parades, colorful floats, eating, and traditional dance. Even small towns in Apokreas dine, drink, and dress up in (often garish) costumes to march through the streets. Clean Monday (Kathara Deftera), the first day of Lent, concludes the festivities, with family picnicking and flying kites.

Apokreas is interpreted differently in each locale. For the biggest and craziest events, head to Patra in the Peloponnese. In the Sporades, entire communities are clothed like goats, complete with copper bells. In Crete, Rethymno celebrates with a Venetian flair. Check the calendar if you're planning a trip: the date of Apokreas changes every year.

Takes place: February 24 - March 2